Lincoln vs Cadillac Forums

(This is the forums archive - If you want to get back to the main site simply click the banner above and you will be taken to our homepage.)

Lincoln vs Cadillac Forums is the Ultimate Online Resource for Owners and Enthusiasts of American Luxury Cars. Feel free to browse through our archive - but make sure you make it back to our main site - Lincoln vs Cadillac Forums

Cadillac XLR : Cadillac CTS : Cadillac : 2005 Cadillac STS : Cadillac Forums : 2000 Lincoln LS : Lincoln Mark VIII : Lincoln Mark VII : Car Wax
Lincoln Town Car : Lincoln Air Suspension : Lincoln Continental : Lemon Law : Do It Yourself Car Repair : Lincoln vs Cadillac Forums : Mesothelioma

Back to the Archive Main Page

Pages: 1

Just a long story and a question.

(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Jporter

Just joined the other day after checking out the site before I bought a 96 MarkVIII LSC and got some answers to some questions before I even thought to ask. After checking out the forums, I surmised you guys all have a better idea then me( and it's FREE) about this car. Anyway, I bought the car the other day for $950 due to the seller telling me there was a transmission problem and it wouldn't go past 35mph. On my way home thinking about this near mint piece of baltic blue machinery I bought with 100K miles, with the original window sticker price of $44,650 in the glove box, I began to think what would happen if I shut off the O/D? Afterall I couldn't get it to go past 35 either and I didn't really have anything to lose. So I did. WOW! low and behold I gave it a little gas and it took off like a jet. I hadn't felt that much power since a 76 cougar I had with a 460 4 barrel stuffed under the hood. After awhile I decided to go home to feed the dog. NOW comes the question, as I was backing up I heard a noise that kind of sounded like a chicken clucking( sorry that's the only way I can describe it) so I pulled forward a little and tried again and there was no noise. Later I took the car to the gas station to fill and backed up to the pump and there was still no noise. But, when I went to the store I was backing up and there it was AGAIN. Could it be something with the O/D? Has anyone heard of this before? and if so, any ideas as to what it may be? and how to fix it? My fiance now has competition for my affection and I'd love to show of this piece of art to everyone as soon as possible. Sorry for the long disertation, but I have a tendency to talk alot when I get going. Thanks for any help and I'm REALLY looking forward to summer here in Mass to show her off to the general populace and start frying a couple of import friends I have.

Posted by: seanklsc

Congrats on the car, I know the color and it's absolutely beautiful. It sounds like you need a new tranny but for $950 what a bargain. 100K miles is a bit early but definitely not unheard of. I think a real nice rebuilt 4R70W will set you back about $1500, you can even go cheaper if you wish.

Posted by: crazyman

Welcome, and good luck with your problems.There's alot of people here that know what they're doing.You can't beat someone who has been there, done that.Eating rice also seems to be a favorite hobby of most of the people here.

Posted by: Jporter

Thanks, Looking forward to reading more discussions and meeting new people. I've an appointment with a local dealer and he's going to have my car for the day while he goes over the whole thing and tells me what it needs or doesn't. Hopefully it's only the tranny. My fiance already calls it "jamies batmobile"

Posted by: Cubster

to the LVC, its nice to see someone else from Ma here.Join the NE Chapter we meet here every Wed night @ 9:30 in the chat room.

Posted by: Jporter

Already signed up thanks, and looking forward to getting to know everyone else in the chapter. Good news and bad news today. Good news: I don't have to wory about paying for a transmission. Bad news: 19 year old kid in a honda made an illegal left at about 40MPH after running a red light as I was coming from the opposite direction in the right hand lane and turning on a green arrow,( can you guess where this is going?) That's right, BAM! Now I need a grill,right head light assembly,plate frame,tie rod, front fascia/bumper, and the tranny doesn't change gear at all now,and I gotta pick up meds for a mild concussion. Good news: the local police informed me I wouldn't have to pay for any repair because the other driver was being cited for, making an illegal turn and running the red light( I love witnesses). Now, I just have to file a report with my insurance company and hope they will get his insurance to pay for the damages. Hopefully I'll have my brand new used car back on the road soon. Bad news: I'm stuck driving my 91 bravada with no heat or defrost. P.S. How can I get to use those smilies over there? --------->

Posted by: ONEBADMK8

Hello and welcome.

Posted by: seanklsc

You've gotta be KIDDING ME.

At least the car is repairable, right? Sounds like you need some expensive parts. Are you aware the headlight for your car costs $500/side? Maybe you can come out on top with some extra cash and throw down for a nice tranny.

Posted by: Jporter

I hope there all expensive, and her insurance company pays for it. It's terrible to say but I hope she learns red means stop and a sign that says no left turn, means no left turn. I just want my car back. I've only had it about four days, and seeing it sitting in the yard like a broken down war horse waiting to enter the glue factory slightly irks me. But,I figure it being her fathers car,for her to drive it at 19,he must have decent coverage. I'm just waiting to hear what my insurance company is gonna do about it.

Posted by: Markviiiedrea

first welcome, if you get enough money you should call maxx on the side ther and get HID insted of the stock ones there 1100 for both side, alot of people wish they had them like me. sorry to hear about the about the rice burner hitting you , lets hope his car is not repairable!

try looking on ebay for some parts for the front end thats where your going to find the cheapest.

Posted by: Jporter

There's a guy in Brighton that does great work and I'm going to take it to him to have it done. He won't use used parts, and because he's one of the better known autobody guys, he's friends with most of the car dealers and can probably get the stuff cheaper. I'd rather not go into a bidding war on e-bay and possibly paying more for a used part plus shipping then it would cost to have the insurance companies deal with it. I think the most expensive to repair is probably the head lights as I was informed by sean above at the cost of $500. and the grill I don't know. tie rod is about 110 to repair by the local mechanic,I already asked. I don't think they can total the car if the damage is less than the book value. I'll have to check on book value for a 96 LSC with 98125 miles and no damage until yesterday anyway. Thanks for the support guys and I hope I get to meet some of you in the future, and hopefully, with a newly restored Mark VIII.

Posted by: Jporter

My car's gettin' FIXED!! Because I only had liability on the Mark at the time of the accident I had to file a claim with her insurance company for repair and they're sending someone to look at it Friday. I was informed by the claim adjuster for her insurance that he will do what he can to try and get my car fixed. He also informed me that when the report was filed there was no mention of a citation, I put him straight by sending a copy of the police crash report with the citation number and charges, not one charge but a couple of infractions. I've got the whole passenger front held together with duct tape. Looks Ugly now, but that will make it all that much prettier after it's fixed.

Posted by: Kbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

My car's gettin' FIXED!!

I hope it all works out. Keep us posted on the repairs.

Posted by: scott9050

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

I hope there all expensive, and her insurance company pays for it. It's terrible to say but I hope she learns red means stop and a sign that says no left turn, means no left turn. I just want my car back. I've only had it about four days, and seeing it sitting in the yard like a broken down war horse waiting to enter the glue factory slightly irks me. But,I figure it being her fathers car,for her to drive it at 19,he must have decent coverage. I'm just waiting to hear what my insurance company is gonna do about it.

Bad thing is they might total the car. If the damage is 75% of book, it's toast.

*edit* glad to hear they are fixing it. Be thankful you don't have no fault, my 96 was totalled by a guy with a suspended license and all I can collect is $500 because I did not have collision, and it was his fault.

Posted by: Jporter

I was told that I'd be getting a check form her insurance company,didn't state for repair or total though. Now, I'm looking at doing some mods to the car IF they don't total it. What I'm wondering is what would be the best way to purchase the following in order of importance to performance, believe me if I had the cash I'd do it all at once but I have to go bit by bit. Here are the mods I'm thinking of from LMS:
Megameter $289.
Ice Box 45.
Xtreme reg 169.
30# Inj. 259.(8)
HO fuel pmp 129.
Valve cvr 149(+ paint)
Nology Wrs 349(+ S/H)
PowerMaxx 299.(+S/H)

What do you think I should buy first? and work my way from there. Or should I just buy it in any order and then wait to have all components before installing?

Posted by: MrWilson

Lemme know if you need someone to drive a big ol steel box into someones car? Ida gotten out of the car, and punched her in the face...forget about not hitting women, she already hit yours.

Posted by: Jporter

Well, I got an estimate from the other insurance company,a total amount of damage to repair $2407. Got an estimate but,no check. I haven't a clue as to what's going to happen now. I also went to AAMCO and found that it'll cost me about $2200.00 to have my transmission rebuilt. I've called a couple of junk yards looking for a used one,with no luck so far. I was hoping I'd be able to pick one up cheap and find someone to put it in, again,no luck so far. Nobody will touch it for some reason I'm wondering how much longer I'll go until I have a nervous breakdown. I'm debating about just taking the check form the insurance company(if I even get one) and depositing it and look for another one somewhere( If I'm allowed to that is) This SUCKS.( Can I write that?)

Posted by: Roadboss

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

Well, I got an estimate from the other insurance company,a total amount of damage to repair $2407. Got an estimate but,no check. I haven't a clue as to what's going to happen now. I also went to AAMCO and found that it'll cost me about $2200.00 to have my transmission rebuilt. I've called a couple of junk yards looking for a used one,with no luck so far. I was hoping I'd be able to pick one up cheap and find someone to put it in, again,no luck so far. Nobody will touch it for some reason I'm wondering how much longer I'll go until I have a nervous breakdown. I'm debating about just taking the check form the insurance company(if I even get one) and depositing it and look for another one somewhere( If I'm allowed to that is) This SUCKS.( Can I write that?)

I would buy a rebuilt unit from Art Carr along with new convertor and have a local shop install it, as most of the Amco shops are not familar with this trans and tend to overcharge to rehab one.

Posted by: Jporter

Alright,here's what I'm going to do now. I'm sick of waiting for the claims adjuster to decide when it's convenient for him to call me,I've called him 4 times and still no response. So, rather than wiat any longer to fix my car,I decided I'm going to pick up the parts I need and take the car to the local vocational High school and have tham fix it. It costs me nothing except the parts and the instructor/teacher runs a local body shop and does some of the best work around the area. Not only do I get my car fixed but the kids get hand on experience,which in my opinion is more lasting than reading a book or someone telling you how to do it. Mr.Rizzo,the teacher informs me anything that the class may mess up he will personally have the professionals at his shop repair at no charge to me. That's how confident he is in his students. It may take longer, but how much longer is the insurance going to dick me around? Anyway,tomorrow I'm going to the used parts lot that I was at the other day and pick up the parts that I need. I lucked out in that area, as I was wandering around the yard looking for the 5 or 6 that I was told were out there a 96 LSC,same as mine, even the baltic blue paint was being brought in. looked almost brand new with 82454K( I checked) and all the parts I need, turns out the engine went and the owner didn't want to fix it. So the guys are going to put it aside for me to scavenge what parts I want and check on the tranny for me to make sure it wasn't the cause for the engine problem especially with the mileage it had. If the tranny's good he'll sell it to me at a "reasonable price" (**shudder**).

Posted by: Kbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

as I was wandering around the yard looking for the 5 or 6 that I was told were out there a 96 LSC,same as mine, even the baltic blue paint was being brought in. looked almost brand new with 82454K( I checked) and all the parts I need, turns out the engine went and the owner didn't want to fix it. So the guys are going to put it aside for me to scavenge what parts I want and check on the tranny for me to make sure it wasn't the cause for the engine problem especially with the mileage it had. If the tranny's good he'll sell it to me at a "reasonable price" (**shudder**).

Luckyyy

Posted by: Jporter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kbob

Luckyyy

Not so lucky afterall. One of the guys that checked the car said the tranny is just as much junk as the engine is.

Posted by: Joeychgo

One thing I have found -

Lucas products really make this car run better and longer. If your interested in getting a little more time out of your transmission, toss in a quart of lucas transmission treatment. It tends to 'fix' many problems temporarily. I swear by the stuff and lucas is always in my engine and transmission.

I know you have sources for parts yourself, but you might want to check with Geno (Onebadmk8) - he has performance parts for the Mark VIII, including engines and transmissions.

-Hope that helps a little.

Posted by: Jporter

I'll give the lucas stuff a try. Hopefully, it'll last 'til I fix or relace the tranny. I'll give autozone a call. I don't think I've seen it around here,maybe because I wasn't looking for it. Too bad the tranny from my jag wouldn't fit,that's kinda just hanging around and taking up space. Anyone need parts for an '84 Jaguar XJ6?

Posted by: Jporter

I called her insurance company on Thursday and spoke to someone other than my assigned adjuster (who hadn't returned any of my calls) and asked what was going on with regards to repairing my car. The new person I spoke with checked the claim and informed me they hadn't received a report from the operator of the car I got into the accident with as of yet, however they DID get in touch with the owner( big deal). Mind you this accident happened on the 14th of March when I only had the car for about 5 days. Anyway I explained to the woman I spoke with, that as a Police Officer, I understood that any accident with more than a $1000 in damage,(which they estimated at the cost of $2470 ), is supposed to be reported within 7 days AND any accident with injuries by Massachusetts state law is supposed to be reported within 24 hours, not to mention the fact that I faxed them a copy of my accident report WITH the Police report stating the other operator was at fault and therefore charged by the responding Officer with operating in an unsafe manner, making an illegal left and running a red light all falling under MGL chapter 90 motor vehicle violation laws ie; Ch 90/sections 13,14 and 14b. Anyway, I told her this was the last time they were going to hear from me, the next call they would get was from a lawyer.
Sure enough, on Friday I got a message on my cell phone from the claims adjuster who hadn't returned any of my prior calls stating that he was sending a check to me to cover the repairs that afternoon. It's Tuesday now and I haven't gotten the check yet and my car goes into the body shop on the 18th. I decided against taking it to the local Vocational school afterall, it wasn't worth it to me to wait for the students to get around to it since I found they were already working on a students car and would be working on mine at the same time. Also,this Friday I'm taking the car to the local Ford dealer to have it checked to see what else it may need and probably at the same time replace the tie rods and emergency brake cable.
After the body work gets done I can drop it off and have the tranny replaced.
Now, maybe I'll finally have a car without a rejected inspection sticker. When I get home from work I'm going to take some pictures of what the car looks like now with the damages, so you can get a better understanding of the frustration of getting minor damages repaired in Massachusetts, and why I keep going on about this, and then post new ones after I get it fixed. That way people who don't own or know why, we, as Mark VIII owners care so much about our cars and treat them almost as family and don't like seeing them damaged.

Posted by: Jporter

For those of you that are sick and tired of this post blame KBOB. He asked me to keep everybody posted. Sorry pal, but you know how it is, let someone else take the heat while you retreat and regroup. You can blame me next time okay?

Posted by: Kbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

For those of you that are sick and tired of this post blame KBOB. He asked me to keep everybody posted. Sorry pal, but you know how it is, let someone else take the heat while you retreat and regroup.

No problem, that's what I'm here for.

Posted by: Jporter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kbob

No problem, that's what I'm here for.

Great . I owe you one.

Posted by: Jporter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

Great . I owe you one.

By the way, I got the check today from the insurance company. Now, I have to figure out if I should cancel the body work appointment for the 18th and replace the tranny instead. On the way home from my girlfriends house the rpms wouldn't go beyond 1500 and couldn't get past 25mph. My luck sucks this year. I'm thinking it would be senseless to get the body work fixed before the transmission. I tried the lucas stuff as suggested, but I guess I was too late.

Posted by: Jporter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

Well, this never ending dilemma has come to a close. Transmission crapped out on me about 12 miles from home and I had to have it towed to the local tranny place

. Guess I know now whether to get the tranny or the body work done first. On a good note though the transmission place figures it'll cost at most $1500 to rebuild which still leaves me with some to sock away towards the bodywork and he'll more than likely have the car ready for me Friday afternoon. AND I'll get some exercise that I've been sorely lacking lately hoofing it for the next 2 days.

Posted by: MonsterMark

Talk to Geno 1st and get a built tranny with all the good stuff in it for the price of a simply 'shop' repair. I'd feel better having a 600 hp capable tranny for the same money as a stocker.

Posted by: Jporter

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonsterMark

Talk to Geno 1st and get a built tranny with all the good stuff in it for the price of a simply 'shop' repair. I'd feel better having a 600 hp capable tranny for the same money as a stocker.

I would. Except NJ is about a 6 hour drive. Last time I went it took me about 8 and a half hours to get to Six Flags. Its all highyway and a lot of tolls and the car wouldn't make it to NJ in the condition it is in. I'm positive Geno knows what he's doing but it does me no good at this point. When the time comes that I have the money, I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering from him the minor mods and things I'd like to do to the car, but I'll ask to have them shipped rather than drive to pick them up unless for some reason or another I'm in the area. Besides I don't care about 600hp. The car will get me where I need to go, I'm not a speed demon any longer after seeing what happened to my little sister and trying to explain it to my parents when someone she was with thought they were one of the Pettys or Mario Andretti. I've seen too many people with more horsepower than they can handle wrapped around telephone poles than I'd like. If you can handle the power of 600hp and in a controlled environment that's one thing. This is coming from someone that used to teach offensive/defensive driving to people that worked VIP protection in the military and for a couple years after I got out. Nothing personal. So don't take this the wrong way it's just not my thing. I appreciate all the posts and suggestion and thank everyone for their input. It is, and hopefully will continue to be invaluable. Maybe I'm just tired or stressed, so if I've offended anyone, somehow or in someway, I apologize in advance.

Posted by: MonsterMark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jporter

Besides I don't care about 600hp.

Eh, no problem. My comment wasn't about needing to build a 600 hp car, rather it was to point out that you can get a stock quality rebuilt transmission or an indistructible one for the same price. And you get a few more bucks out of the car selling it to someone who could/would appreciate the benefits of a grenade proof tranny.

BTW, make sure those guys working on your trans are putting in a mechanical diode in the one-way clutch or we may be hearing from you again. It is the weakest link in this tranny. Anybody doing manual 1-2 upshifts and 4-2 downshifts is asking for trouble if the trans doesn't have the upgraded diode.

Posted by: Jporter

Okay. Luck seems to be getting better , turns out the the guy who worked on my transmission did more work than I expected for $1642.50. He had the following extra parts he ordered for someone that never picked them up and used them when he did my tranny because he hasn't had a Mark come for awhile since he ordered them. A Pro street 3000 rpm convertor,some 8 bolt crank flexplate(don't know what it does so I don't know if it's good or not),EGR tube, 1-2/3-4 acumulator (?) thing he said that was a Ford suggestion awhile back, one piece drive shaft(?) new mounts(?)and u-joints. I took it around the block with him and he suggested I not use the O/D for city use but for highway instead seemed to run nice and then we took it onto route 2 and it didn't even feel like we were up to 85 so quickly,maybe that's normal for these cars, I don't know. When we went back to the shop he told me the extra parts were no charge because when I had the car dropped off his son recognized me and told him I was his squad leader during desert storm. Unfortunately he was just on his way to make a parts pick up and couldn't talk,and it was his day off when I picked up the car. So,was this a good deal? AND I STILL have a little set aside to put towards the body work it was originally intended for. Now If I can just find a cheap HID assembly. Can I use the old one that got damaged in the accident? the bulbs all work its just the outside lens and the relector inside that got damaged. I already found the cornering light, grill and that chrome strip at the junk yard for short money. He wants me to bring it back after I put 500 miles on it to make sure everythings alright,maybe I'll get to talk to Chris then.