Added another Fox to the fleet - 1985 Marquis LTS

Topic: Added another Fox to the fleet - 1985 Marquis LTS (Read 12566 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Added another Fox to the fleet - 1985 Marquis LTS

Reply #30 – August 21, 2022, 08:41:01 PM

Well, I decided to go with a set of adjustable MM RLCAs for this, instead of boxing a set of stock ones. Of course they wound up on backorder (even though they showed in-stock when I placed the order...).

While I'm waiting on those, I took care of a couple more little projects.

First up was an e-fan installation.

I had a couple spare Volvo 850 fans/shrouds/relays, so I decided to pursue that option,

It took only minor tpuppies of the shroud and mounting the fan on the inside of it to make it all fit.

The Volvo relay has inputs for triggering the LO and HI speed modes on the fan.

Since I had already relocated the temp gauge sender into this 2-port manifold, I installed the Hi-speed temp switch there as well.

Now, the LO-speed trigger was perfect for---triggering the fan for when the AC is turned on.

Yup. AC.

I replaced the condenser and all the hoses and flushed out the evap core and compressor for the conversion to R134a.

Pulled a vacuum on the system (Just to verify that the evap core was indeed still good).

A short while later, we now have working AC and an e-fan in the car.

On the other front, I now have this in my possession.

A 2011 3.7 V6 with the 6R80 6-speed auto trans.

Right now I'm just researching all of the other details needed to make the swap work. Fortunately, the engine/trams harness are very modular and 98% complete, with the PCM. I think other that having the PATS disabled in the ECU, only a couple other configuration changes will need to be made. I'm planning no "mods", save for whatever the exhaust looks in the end, and maybe the large-bore TB upgrade.

The biggest decision up front will be to spend the money on an AJE K-member for it to be almost drop in, or stick with a stock K-member and make some mounts, etc. I haven't gotten that far yet. The AJE would have provisions for a stock spring set-up, so no need for anything fancy.

There are a few other systems and details that would need to be addressed, but I'm formulating a plan for those.

I'm hoping to have all of the stuff together to start this swap sometime next year.

Re: Added another Fox to the fleet - 1985 Marquis LTS

Reply #31 – October 16, 2024, 11:36:18 AM

Been a minute since an update.
As mentioned in the LTD wagon thread, the 3.7/6R80 is going there and this is staying as-is drivetrain wise for a bit.

Not too much to report, just been driving it and doing a little maintenance work. Nothing exciting.

We did take it up to Detroit for the Motor City Fox Fest back in July. Did great on the trip.

It'll get parked when the snow/salt starts to fly, but I do have a couple projects for it when I can get more done on the wagon engine swap.

Re: Added another Fox to the fleet - 1985 Marquis LTS

Reply #32 – June 01, 2025, 12:43:44 AM

Coming back from spectating at the velodrome Thurs night, I noticed that the PS pump was making more noise than it should.

It was dark at the time, but I looked under the car to see this mess.

Awesome.

A quick investigation revealed that it was probably the reservoir o-ring. Seeing as it was probably the original to the car. It did have a bit of movement to it.

I was hoping to tend to it when I pulled the drivetrain out for a reseal, but I guess this didn't want to wait.

The reservoir was basically empty, but there were no signs of any rapid losses. I guess also hadn't noticed the dribbles on the driveway, but it rained a bit earlier in the week and I hadn't driven the car in a few days.

Since I had a pump rebuild kit but didn't want to pull the pump from the car, I just decided to do a quick o-ring replacement.

You can see that the old o-ring (right) was kind of flattened.

Since I had it out, I also replaced the o-rings on the inlet fitting and the high-pressure connection.

Got it all back together and power washed the gunk off of everything.

Now back to driving it until I'm ready for the aforementioned side-quest.

Re: Added another Fox to the fleet - 1985 Marquis LTS

Reply #33 – June 04, 2025, 11:17:20 AM

Well, after a couple of days of driving, the PS reservoir was low again. The fittings on the rack are clean and the boots are new-ish and aren't full of fluid, but should probably warrant a closer look.
I replaced the PS return hose with new clamps and cleaned things up.
Watching it run, it looks like the pressure line is seeping at the crimp.

Also, at this point, the front main seal on the engine is merely a suggestion.

That's where the bulk of the "mess" is coming from. I may need to park the car until I can get the drivetrain pulled out for the reseal/clean/port induction/MS swap.

I need to do a couple things on her Beetle, mainly to get the parts/boxes out of my way. Then this may move into the "work bay" spot and I'll bounce back and forth between it and the wagon. There are piles of parts in my way for this project as well, and it would be nice to get them off the floor and on the car.