So, this wasn't the original plan. The past few months, my wife and I discussed picking up another vehicle (which would stay automatic). Being the weirdos that we are, we narrowed down to an 83-86 LTD or Marquis wagon, and then eventually opened it up to an option for a sedan.
Had been casually scanning for something for the past couple of months. No rush to get anything. Even inquired with the owner of a Marquis wagon that was in the neighborhood. Figured something would pop up.
Then a couple weeks ago, an ad on FB appeared for an '85 Marquis LTS with an LTD LX parts car in western PA. Both were kind of rough, but there was plenty of bonus stuff included. With no way to get 2 vehicles moved, I kind of sat on it for a week or so. Then after someone asked the seller about just purchasing the parts car, I went ahead and messaged them about the LTS.
For those that don't know, the '85 Marquis LTS is the one-year, Canadian-only, Mercury equivalent of the LTD LX, which was the "hot rod" of the Fox LTD line-up. They made 135 LTS's, total.
After a phone convo with the seller about it, he basically said he didn't want to bother with the guy interested in the parts car, and if I were to buy the LTS, he said I could take whatever I wanted off of the LX. He then sweetened the deal with offering to bring the car to me.
So, on a Sunday morning, I hopped in the car for the 5-ish hour drive to check things out and to hopefully make a deal.
Got there, looked things over, made a deal and got to stripping off the parts I wanted from the parts car. I was on limited time and wasn't *really* concerned with drivetrain/suspension stuff, as it's a Fox-chassised car after all. But I did grab some specific items, like 4 better doors, and hood, along with some LX-specific items (console, cluster).
Also included in the deal were a bunch of LTS-specific NOS parts.
We got everything organized, I loaded the NOS stuff into my car and drove home.
The next day, he shows up with the car and all of the other parts and we get it all unloaded.
In addition to the above stuff, the car also came with a set of Bullitt wheels, a half-installed 5-lug swap (94-95 spindles and 99+ 11" brakes up front), axles and drums for the rear 5-lug. New front suspension components, new fuel pumps and a new windshield. The car was FULL of parts when it arrived. As was the back of his truck.
Now, for those that care. I paid $2,400...total, to my door, for all of this.
Now it's sat languishing for at least a decade prior to the previous owner getting it, and looks "battle hardened", but underneath, the only bad rust spot is right at the front of the passenger floor board. The rest is solid. I have it running, but need to run through tune-up stuff, etc.
Primary goal right now is to get it running and driving and doing some clean-up and minor cosmetic stuff.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/arrival_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/int_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/int_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/under_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/underhood_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/arrival_3.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Beginning/nosstuff_2.jpg)
That is a cool find!
looking forward to the updates.
What are your plans after running/cleaned up?
Nice score! That has the CFI setup, what can be done for parts on that if you are going to keep it original?
Not quite sure yet. Going to kind of see where things stand and then go from there. It has roughly 100K miles on it (150K km), but it's been dormant for a while.
Yeah, CFI, which isn't really all that complicated. Worst case, it'll get a SEFI set-up on it. The emissions nonsense is the worst part of it all, really.
As far as keeping it "original", that's not really my thing. It'll get cared for and improved, but I don't do concourse builds.
That was my only hesitation with buying it. However, if someone wants to restore it...they'll need to show up with a nice "standard" LTD/Marquis (And let me keep my "non-original" stuff) to take it off my hands. Other than that we'll do what we want with it. :)
Congrats Chuck! The Marquis LTS is a rare bird it definitely deserves to be saved.
Hell yeah! Looking forward to pics of the car and work :smile:
Been busy going through all of the mechanical systems on this thing, trying to get it mobile.
No real exciting pics, other than getting the 5-lug axles in and testing wheel fitment on all 4 corners.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Susp_Brakes/newtires_2.jpg)
If you don't have any center caps for the wheels I found some SVT ones for the Bullitt wheels on my '83 on Amazon. I know you know but be sure to measure the ID of the cap well as there are different sizes out there.
https://www.amazon.com/Appl-Raptor-Applicable-Center-Cover/dp/B08FG7X43D/ref=asc_df_B08FG7X43D/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475793174801&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12577094337452667555&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026563&hvtargid=pla-1188911223057&psc=1
Would be pretty cool if these fit:
https://www.hubcaphaven.com/p/22260/c3802-mercury-milan-factory-oem-center-cap-9e5c-1a096-bc.html?gclid=CLCIkbTD88oCFQhbhgodMX8H0w
We're going to be making some custom ones. :toothless:
Those are 17" wheels. Those are also some pretty good sized brakes you have on 'er. :star:
Rock n roll man! :headbang: :headbang:
Yeah, I hadn't paid attention when I bought the car, as the ad listed "99+" brakes on it, and I assumed they were the 11" dual piston jobbies (Didn't really care either way). I pulled the wheels off the front to work on the lines/hoses and though "Those look bigger than 11"..." Pleasant surprise.
Still just 10" drums on the back for now, though. Other things to sort through before worrying about a rear disc upgrade.
Teaser on the new center caps for the Bullitts.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Susp_Brakes/centercap.jpg)
OK, well the rain forced me inside again, so I finished up the center caps.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Susp_Brakes/allcaps.jpg)
That is what I am talking about Chuck!!! Now how did you do it?
I searched for generic black caps that would fit the wheels. Took a little bit of searching and measuring. I had 1 original cap, which helped out quite a bit to get all of the dims.
I couldn't find a good image of an "LTS" logo online, and my Google-fu wasn't good enough to find the proper font (Mainly for the "S"), so I scanned the new "LTS" emblem I had and fixed the image so I could use my wife's Cricut machine to cut out the vinyl transfers. Got those on the caps and then sealed it all up with a few layers of clearcoat.
I think I have $20 into the center caps, so not an overly expensive proposition.
Afterwards, I was directed to Eric's Telnak Font (https://www.coolcats.net/media/font.html), which would've made mocking things up easier, but I can remember that for next time.
Well I can honestly say I’ve never seen one of those. I love weird/rare stuff like this. Nice score, Chuck.
Well, been working on this thing as time has allowed.
Got it out for its first drive today. Just a couple miles to get more gas in it, but it was a pretty successful ride.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_3.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_4.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_5.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/General/12_19_21_6.jpg)
Need to do the heater core and then get the interior back together, but this is a definite milestone.
Well, when we last left off back in Dec, I had a bunch of work to do in the interior. Foul weather slowed me down during Jan/Feb, but things finally started to clear up in March.
One of the first projects was to replace the heater core.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/gettingstarted.jpg)
The heater core itself was easy. However, investigations of the fan housing revealed more work...
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/nesting.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/hole.jpg)
Lost a couple weeks finding/waiting on a new fan housing (Which is the same as the TBirds or that era). Was mis-listed on ebay as for a 99-04 Mustang... (Found it from a Google search of the housing PN stamped on it)
I had to also rebuild the HVAC switch unit.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/Heater%20Unit/accunit_4.jpg)
We'll see how long the repair on the (vacuum) selector switch holds.
Swapped out the sad steering wheel for one I had on the shelf
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/oldsteeringwheel.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2021/Interior/newsteeringwheel.jpg)
Pulled the old carpet out to install the new stuff
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/grosscarpet.jpg)
and found this...
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/holesholesholes_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/holesholesholes_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/holesholesholes_3.jpg)
All that rust was from the inside and not seen underneath except for a couple small holes.
So I had to repair a bunch of stuff.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/repair_10.jpg)(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/repair_12.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/repair_13.jpg)
and got the carpet in
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/newcarpet_1.jpg)
Had to swap all of the manual window regulators for the power ones and install a vapor barrier.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/DR_door_2.jpg)
Then I cleaned all of the seats and put the rest of the interior together.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/assembly_2.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/assembly_3.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/DF_door_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/PF_door_1.jpg)
And grabbed some matching floormats.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Interior/mat_2.jpg)
A couple more details to sort out, but it's on the ground and set of driving.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/4_2_22_1.jpg)
That field mouse was a busy dude. Any idea how the water got into the car to rust if from the inside out or do you think it was just prior neglect like leaving the windows down?
As I found out, it didn't have a windshield in it for probably 4-5 years. Tarps only keep so much out.
That and at least one of the front windows was slightly open all of the time.
Well, this is currently in regular driving rotation. It gets driven once or twice a week by either me or my wife.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/5_13_22_1_s.jpg)
I need to address the rear suspension before I let her get it on the interstate, though. The rear is a bit "loose", more than likely due to old suspension bushings in the RCAs and a little wonky roll axis because the car is a bit "raked".
Just going to poly bush and box a set of stock arms and put new rubber in the axle ears. Also going to do the "anti-squat" mod and drop the rear mounting point of the RLCA a bit. This will also help bring the rear ride height down a bit.
Gathering parts to get the AC functional again. At some point, one of the lines was cut, so I ordered a new drier, condenser, lines, etc. and will button things up and see if it holds vacuum. If so, I'll do a R134 retrofit on it and get the cold air blowing.
I've also begun pondering an engine swap for it.
Since it is staying a driver and also needs to remain an auto, I think I have a plan.
Looking at the 3.7 V6 from an 2011-2014 Mustang, with the 6R80. Some folks are already fussing about it. To me, 305hp and 30mpg in a light package seems like a good choice. Found a swap done in a '99 Mustang for a proof-of-concept that it can be done and keep the stock engine/trans management. I could do stand-alone engine and trans control, but seeing as we're not going to mod this, there's no need. Not interested in a built SBF, or messing with a 4.6 mod motor. The Coyote is just too ed expensive for my budget, and we don't need 500hp in this thing.
Planning on getting parts (or a donor car) at some point later this year, I think.
Looks like it is doing well.
The 3.7/6R80 combo, the computer will be from the donor car? Do you have someone to program the body control / PATS etc out of it?
If I get a complete car, yes. If not it will be purchased separately. I have a contact for someone who can do it, if not it's something readily available.
The guy who did the '99 swap used an engine and trans. Bought a trans harness, a swap harness for a Coyote (and modified it) and installed a stock ECU that had the PATS removed from it. He even kept the return-less fuel set-up.
Do those 3.7 sixxers tend to survive a hairdryer hanging off the side?
I admittedly know little about them, but am intrigued.
The 3.5's are the EcoBoost version.
This car won't get boosted.
thats exactly what i would've done, home grown solution. i like this thread.
btw, i had no idea this car had factory dual snorkle air cleaner.
i know you mentioned tossing the cfi stuff but.. investigate the 351 80's/90's bronco or trucks.
those eec's may be the power adder solution rather than grooming in a new eec harness. all the truck eecs i mention only have two injector pin outs which is what you have now on that car.
Ahh...brings me to query if the RWD 3.7 has the same water pump (internal) as the fwd versions....
Doesn't look like it. Looks to be external.
Waaaaay better!! You get the rear suspension issues settle and that car will be a fun one to drive.
That instrument cluster looks like it would fit a 83/84 Cougar or TBird. Would be a slick way of getting a functioning tach.
The dash is the same as the 80-82 TBirds/XR-7's.
The clusters physically fit, but there are a couple wiring changes needed.
When I had my old white 80 XR-7, I swapped an 83-84TC cluster into it. The tach worked, but I never got around to "fixing" it properly (4cyl tach on a 8cyl engine)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/80%20XR7%20White/interior%2010_07_04.JPG)
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,
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/fanrelay.jpg)
It took only minor tpuppies of the shroud and mounting the fan on the inside of it to make it all fit.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/installed_1.jpg)
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.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Drivetrain/tempsender.jpg)
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.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/condenser.jpg)
Pulled a vacuum on the system (Just to verify that the evap core was indeed still good).
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/CoolingHVAC/thissucks.jpg)
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.
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Drivetrain/3_7%20Stuff/unboxing_1.jpg)
(https://turbochuckcom.ipage.com/webimages/projects/85%20LTS/2022/Drivetrain/3_7%20Stuff/unboxing_2.jpg)
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.