What did you do to your Mark VIII today?

[ONLYTONY]

Put the ball joint booties, and stabilizer links on the 94. Links were in good shape, just needed booties also, but now their new. Going to put some new pads on today, and finish this project. Pads are like new, but not what I like.

 

[slowmkviii]

Did another oil filter adapter gasket.

 

[Green Machine]

want to do another?

 

[MN12hybrid]

I replaced a bunch of vacuum lines.. I ended up driving my car back home last night. It was going to stay over at my gf's place, but I had to move it at the last second. It fired up and drove back home fine, but the suspension is kind of scary right now. Its also making a strong ticking sound well after the first 15 seconds that the cam tensioner makes noise. Im trying to figure out if my timing chain is ready to go.

Other than that, it felt great. I had not driven it more than a mile in about 9 months. It sure felt nice to be driving a car that has balls, since my Taurus is sluggish.

I have to get rid of one of my cars - I was originally going to keep the Taurus, get rid of my Lincoln and get a better one down the line. But now Im not so sure I want to do that because the more I work on the car, the more I become attached to it. I guess we shall see.

 

[Randy M]

Not much today, but since I purchased mine May 20, I pulled out the original air bags and replace them with coil-over shocks, replaced the upper and lower control arms and replaced the rear shocks. The previous owner had already swapped the rear bags. Just to keep me on my toes, the door latch stopped working during a rain storm. Still waiting for the rivet to set the lock actuator. Tomorrow, a tune up and fix the alignment. I will post some pictures when I start on the body. I love this car!

 

[chris2523]

new cable was worth a little over a volt at idle.

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

new cable was worth a little over a volt at idle.

I replaced the wire going from the battery to the fuse box a while back, and was going to replace the one going from the alternator to the fuse box but never did. Thanks for reminding me! lol.

 

[thaywood]

Well, here's my new 'Bird. I found this one a few days ago and it is in very good shape and has a recent paint job. The interior still smells new and seats feel like they've never been sat in. I know it's not a Mark VIII, but it's the closest I can get right now. Hopefully, when I get my settlement from the other driver from my accident, I am going to try to get another Mark VIII as soon as possible. But this is a really nice car and it has the rare chrome directional fanblades

 

[ONLYTONY]

good looking car, almost a Mark.

 

[achesonm8]

Same as changing the filter on a Gen2.. That's why I'm getting an FRPP filter relocation kit

yes it is a bitch to change...what is a FRPP relocation kit? cool!

 

[thaywood]

good looking car, almost a Mark.

Thanks. I like it. It rides extremely smooth and it's very quite (that's gonna change as soon as I can get some cherry bombs installed ). It has a CEL and the O/D Off light is blinking. And it hangs in 1st gear and bangs hard enough into 2nd to chirp the tires. But I found out that is because of a bad output shaft speed sensor on the transmission. $25 part and easy fix. Other than that, she's nearly perfect. Also noticed it has a fairly recent new paintjob. That's nice too. But it's just not a Mark VIII

 

[Epwillis]

Thanks. I like it. It rides extremely smooth and it's very quite (that's gonna change as soon as I can get some cherry bombs installed ). It has a CEL and the O/D Off light is blinking. And it hangs in 1st gear and bangs hard enough into 2nd to chirp the tires. But I found out that is because of a bad output shaft speed sensor on the transmission. $25 part and easy fix. Other than that, she's nearly perfect. Also noticed it has a fairly recent new paintjob. That's nice too. But it's just not a Mark VIII

Except it has struts........

 

[Bangster]

Nice Thunderbird. Everyone hates on the 97 instrument cluster versus the 96, but you it means you can put in one from an SHO with the higher MPH.

In 2004/2005 when I was on the hunt for a new car, I was dead set on a Mark VIII. I already did the MN12 thing with an 89 Cougar. But every Mark VIII I drove had 6 or 7 things in the list of issues to look for, and they wanted a lot of money for them. I ended up putting 6000 bucks into a pearl 97 Cougar with 60k miles. It took it being wrecked for me to finally get my Mark VIII.

I am not sure which one I like better. The Mark stock isn't much faster than the Cougar with a PI intake and tune. I need to take the Mark to the test and tune night once I get the vacuum leak fixed, but on a couple of stretches of roads from a stop I am only about 3 mph faster than I was with my Cougar.

Speaking of the Mark, front end is up in the air, leaking oil from the pressure switch. I was dreading looking under it because I just fought the filter adapter gasket, but it seems to be the pressure sender. I also used the pressure washer to remove the overspray from the previous collision repair (not from mine, I did it with the bumper and header panel not installed). Also need to pull the radio surround and console and wire up some USB power points, a couple of switched power points (for bluetooth and dash cam) and install new ashtray cover.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Except it has struts........

Correct, but only in the front. The rears have Mcphearson struts which is a totally different beast compared to SLA suspensions that Volkswagen's have.

 

[thaywood]

Except it has struts........

Correct, but only in the front. The rears have Mcphearson struts which is a totally different beast compared to SLA suspensions that Volkswagen's have.

Actually...MacPhersons are only used in front suspensions. Rear struts are called Chapman struts. Named after Colin Chapman of Lotus fame. And FYI a lot of Vdubs have SLA suspensions with coil-overs just like ny 'Bird

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Actually...MacPhersons are only used in front suspensions. Rear struts are called Chapman struts. Named after Colin Chapman of Lotus fame. And FYI a lot of Vdubs have SLA suspensions with coil-overs just like ny 'Bird

Charlie Chaplin drove a Volkswagon?

 

[slowmkviii]

want to do another?

Bring it up I'll help YOU do it.

 

[My Great 8]

Drove it 150 miles today to get to doctor's appointments. I haven't touched it in a month. I was driving my mark iv's. I really missed it. It takes no effort to drive versus the mark iv's. I think I will keep it for a while longer

 

[mark0101]

Did an oil change today. Plus got a check engine light for my o2 sensors and some other stuff. Have cleared the dtc, so just waiting now to see what pops up again. I have heard o2 sensors are a pain to change.

 

[Markviiiedrea]

Did this on Friday and on Sunday, put her in storage till May of 2015.

[video=youtube_share;_-nK93TzWwE]http://youtu.be/_-nK93TzWwE[/video]

 

[Rushsampson]

Today, she got a new drivers outer tie rod, an alignment, and passed Maine inspection with flying colors. The tech doing the inspection in fact had a lot to say about it. Not surprisingly, he says he only sees maybe one or two a year these days, but of all the Marks he's ever eye balled, mine was the cleanest. Apparently, the lack of rust was something he just couldn't wrap his mind around, lol.

Tomorrow, she gets a wash and a detail. If I'm feeling super ambitious, I may start work on the cruise control on/off switch. It's functional, but the lamp is not. :/ it would be nice to have a matching set on either side of the wheel at night. ;D

 

[thaywood]

Going this afternoon to check out a 1996 Mark VIII that may very well be my first Mark VIII that I bought back in 2001. My nephew called me and told me about it and he said it looked exactly like my toreador red '96 that I sold about 3 years ago. That would be pretty cool if I could get my first Mark back. If it is still in good shape, that is. And if the price is right of course

Also found this pic on Ebay:

A '94-'95 T-Bird with '93 Cobra 17" 7-spoke fanblades. They look exactly like the T-Bird 15" fanblades, only cooler. That would look sooooo good on my 'Bird!

 

[chris2523]

so after redoing most of the suspension on the 96 since i picked it up in October. everything from a hub swap and brake conversion, to a front suspension rebuild.
i decided the interior needed some attention.
so i pulled it all out for some cleaning.

 

[thaywood]

Looked at a 96 LSC today. Toreador red with peanut butter interior and a moonroof. And it still has the factory clear lens HID headlights!! But it ain't perfect. Air suspension is leaking, lots of paint blemishes, leather is in bad shape, but it purrs like a kitten. But he wants $3k for it I offered him $1800. Doubt I'll hear back from him.

 

[Rushsampson]

Wow, 3k for a Mark with shot bags is quite steep. Though, the headlights are highly cool, if I might say so. ;p He'll figure it out, there are plenty of decent Marks to be had for 3000. But anyhow, I must also say that that is a very sharp Bird you've got yourself, thaywood. A buddy of mine used to have one, and I always loved the lines and the ride. Though, IIRC, his was fitted with a NA 3.8 Essex, which was less than stellar about moving near two tons of Ford steel. I'm sure your 4.6 SOHC does a much superior job at that though, lol.

Did a wash and detail today, like I had promised her. I treated the leather too, and changed a burnt passenger front parking lamp. I was kind of hurrying too, because it was starting to get dark, but yet I lost no jesus clips, and broke no plastic! I'm rather proud. Besides that, a pretty normal day. Another day for the cruise buttons, apparently. :/