Would a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis make a good project? Are they reliable enough for a malaise car?

Would a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis make a good project? Are they reliable enough for a malaise car?

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I would do it

>Would a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis make a good project?
Sure, why not? Kinda curious about what the goal is though
>Are they reliable enough for a malaise car?
As reliable as anything else from the era. One chronic problem that all Fords of the era had that people seem to have forgotten is ignition modules that go bad. Originals would last 5-10 years mostly and modern chinkshit usually won't go 3 but at least they're simple to replace.

Oh yeah, 70's Fords had a thing where the trans lever detent in the column didn't quite match that in the trans due to a geometry in the linkage. That meant that placing the lever in Park didn't necessarily engage the detent in the column OR the trans and if left idling it could fall into Reverse. Due to front suspension geometry the steering would eventually turn to full lock and the car would idle in reverse circles until it ran out of gas or hit something first. The recall fix was a measly fucking warning sticker. Point being that with any Ford of the era when placing in Park be certain to hear the quite distinct click from the trans and feel the car nudge against the parking pawl in the trans. If you're working on it running have it chocked up or somebody at the controls.

/me remembers the time a friend winged the throttle on his Maverick and as the rpm was coming down the car shivered with a bang and tire chirp and the car took off down the street, friend chasing. He dove in through the drivers window and threw it back in Park. Huge bruise just below his ribs from the window frame.

Thanks for the info. Last thing I'd want is a rusty, 5000 pound turd grinding me into the asphalt.
>pic related is the actual car

>rust
Just patina, it's mint.

It definitely seems like it's only on the surface for the most part. Biggest aesthetic problem is the lack of carpeting.

I saw that car you bastard! Give it back! lol

Seriously though, I decided to pass when it looked like the interior was missing parts like the entire back seat and I just didn't want to deal with finding shit to make it look right. IIRC it was on the Bedford CL for like $1000 a few months ago and then went up by Indy and picked up a couple hundred in price on the way.

That's fucking sweet. Load all your buddies into it and smoke cigars while you drive to the casino and valet your new battering ram.
Is it a 400 or 460? Either way, it should smoke one tire. Marquis' of all generations are well known for their handling prowess.

I'm not expecting it to come together super quickly. I've been into the old Ford barges from the 70s for quite some time and this one seems like a decent opportunity.

It's got the 460.

Jesus Christ this kid's voice is annoying

I bet he wears a fucking fedora

Bitchin. One thing on old 70s cars are nylon timing gears. They do wonders for quieting it down, but not much for durability. Swaping to a conventional steel timing set might be prudent.

Noted. Will definitely have to leave no stone unturned when checking it out. This would be the oldest car I've ever bought.

>Swaping to a conventional steel timing set might be prudent
And while he's there he can use a 1970 timing chain set that doesn't have the 8 degree cam retard for emissions built in. Or use a multi keyway chain set for the same effect.

Not a bad idea. With a 4 and a half thousand pound car, you really need all you can get.

My first car was a 78 Marquis with a 351M. That thing couldn't fall off a cliff fast. Ok car to drive and easy one to learn maintenance on though. Don't mind the hub cabs, I was an idiot 16 y/o 18 years ago.

Shoulda just turboed it. pic related

My family had one of these growing up went camping in it once. It was this overly 70s rust orange type color, vinyl seats that were horrible in the summer and it drank gas like a stranded man in a desert as expected.

I miss the thing. Only had it because we were broke as fuck and needed a temp car, but it was great.

The C4 is pretty horrendous in my experience but anything with a small block Ford is great. And parts are plenty available

Just noticed you said it has a 460. Also good

then he'll fail smog if in a SMOG zone

>Living in a SMOG Zone
I feel sorry for people who do. I mean I may live in the middle of nowhere but at least I'll get away with just about anything I want to do to my car.

it's actually OK, bitches love SMOG zones

I live only about half an hour from a college town so there's plenty of those near by.

Easier than that, I wrecked it, bought a 93 F150 with a no compression in a couple of cylinders and rebuilt it with a 347 stroker kit.

I live in Indiana. Gotta love being a shitholer. :^)

God damn, that's beautiful. I wonder if it's still on the road.

If you can fine a rust free and mint specimen, maybe. I wouldn't trust the original engine at that age going from the 85 grand marquis I had growing up and the issues it had. Stick a new crate engine in it and rebuild the tranny and it should be a solid highway car. In the city..ehhh I'd rather drive a truck.

Make sure you can even get parts for it still.

>85 Marquis
That was a completely different platform though.