Vic Sees First Real Snow of Season

A Foggy Day in Harvard Town...

It was just a wee bit foggy today out in Harvard MA... just a wee bit...

Autoholics.com Blog: Crown Vic Taxi Story

The Autoholics.com blog has a long post called "The Car That Was Kicked to the Curb", by "travelsinacab".  It is about a man who bought a used '06 Crown Victoria NYC taxi with over 300,000 miles on it.  If you are looking for something to read, take a peek:

http://autoholics.com/2012/11/30/-The-Car-That-Was-Kicked-To-The-Curb-672446

Interesting Sight...

I saw something interesting today.  While in Ayer MA, traffic was being stopped by two Mass state police cars.  At least 10 marked cars then left a gas station and drove along in a conga line... quite a sight!  Most of the cars had no hubcaps or lights, so I am assuming they were on their way to or from the state's EVOC course in Devens, right down the road.  I would have liked to snap a photo!  It would also be fun to watch them doing the training.  It would be even MORE fun driving on the track!

I also managed to catch sight of a '12 Interceptor Sedan cuiser today, marked for Dunstable MA.

Another Intake Manifold!

Wellp, let's see... last year my '98 Vic got a new intake manifold last year at about 126,500 miles, Ma's '99 Town Car got one at about 82,000 miles, and now this weel Todd's mother's '06 P71 got one at about 140,000 miles.  Mine lasted a long time if you go by age, Mom's didn't last long if you go by miles.  The '06 just makes things more confusing!

UPDATE: Snow Tires On

Originally, the weather forcast said snow this week.  Now it looks like less of a chance, but Todd and I figured it was a good idea to initiate the annual Snow Tire Blitz. 

We started off taking off my alloys and Goodyear RS-A's, and put on steels and Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice's... The two front ones may have to be junked after this winter, but the rears are still good.

Next, we had to plug one Firestone snow tire, move the cars around, and swap the Firestone with a police spec Goodyear Ultra Grip from Todd's mother's car that was originally his.

Next, we moved cars again, sifted through Todd's collection of tires and rims, and installed two Goodyear Ultra Grips on Todd's car. 

THEN we tried to make heads-or-tails out of all those tires laying around the place... some junk, some good, some on rims, some not. 

Lastly, back in my own driveway, I managed for the first time to get all 4 center caps on my wheels all by myself!  The key seems to be a rubber mallet and no fear of denting them. 

I hope you followed all that!

Brand New 2011 Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptors For Sale WINCHESTER MA

Seeing as Bonnell Ford in Winchester MA sold me Vic way back in 2000, and it is Thanksgiving, I am giving them a bit of a plug here.

As of today, they have 7 brand new 2011 Crown Victoria Police Interceptors in stock, for sale only to  government agencies.  If you would like more information on these vehicles, please contact Allan Eydan at (781) 729-9700... and tell him Jonelle sent you!

Lot Full of New Taxis Flooded After Hurricane Sandy

A parking lot full of yellow cabs is flooded as a result of superstorm Sandy on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 in Hoboken, NJ. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)...

RETIRED: The Valdez

1995 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

AKA: "The Valdez"

May 1995 - Fall 2012

Total Miles: 241,503

This was once Todd's parent's car.  It is seen here awaiting a trip to the junk yard

UPDATE: Going Nowhere Fast

Yesterday morning I stepped out of the house, ready to run some errands, and I noticed the car didn't look right.  It seemed to be slanting in one direction.  A peek around to the passenger side and there it was, a very flat tire.

After some worrying and fretting, things ended up working out.  I used my life saving little portable air pump and got the tire back up to pressure.  I drove down to my old mechanic's shop, and his son did a real pit stop.  Tire off, fixed, and back on car in less than 20min.  That includes the time we spent taking the spare tire out of the trunk.  I didn't expect him to offer to plug the tire right then and there. 

The tire had a slow leak for months, and now I know why.  It was the beat up 3/4" brad/nail he pulled out.  The big leak was from the 1 1/2" screw.  I could actually hear the air blowing out after I pumped it up in the driveway.  I had driven the car the day before with no issues, so I must have picked it up close to home...

UPDATE: Mirror, mirror, on the car...

After some delays, today we finally got the new mirror on Dad's Grand Marquis. 

Switch panel removed.  Not the best design, as it appears every single one of these ends up with a broken tab (you can see where it was, on the left edge.

Door panel removed

Door guts...

Broken mirror removed

Rear of a heated mirror glass unit

Color cap swapped from broken mirror, added to new mirror, and Dad's ready to go!

 

UPDATE: Tree Magnets and Mirrors...

Vic is still chugging along, now at 132,222 miles.  Needs an oil change.  Also, two of my winter Goodyears will have to be replaced with two I got from Todd.  I am not a fan of running two different types of tires, but finances are low, and I got these almost new ones for free. 

Todd's mom's car, though, is like a magnet for trees.  A few weeks ago, yet ANOTHER town tree branch broke in the wind and crashed down on her car.  Same damage it got this summer.  In fact, a news man showed up and filmed Todd stating that the "paint was still wet" on her roof, and made it into TV!

Todd's mom's car... tree magnet

Dad's mirror...

Not long after, someone hit the side view mirror on my father's '10 Grand Marquis and broke it off.  After all these years, this is the very first time this has happened.  I am waiting for a new mirror assembly to arrive.  The place I ordered it from sent me a passenger side one, instead of a driver side.  So there has been a delay in making the repair.



Some Tacky Vics!

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Waxing Nostalgic...

10:45AM - 4:00PM, minus lunch break: Wash/wax Dad's Grand Marquis. Wash/clay/polish/wax/vac Todd's Vic. For those of you with small cars, don't even try to comprehend this... Doing Dad's car made me nostalgic for when my Vic was that age, with that amount of paint... (sigh)...

2011 Crown Vic Mini Fleet!

Six brand spankin new 2011 Vics... 8/20/12

UPDATE: COOL!

Vic was done yesterday morning at 8:30AM!  And I finally know the name of the offending part: HVAC Blend Door Motor (part #19E616). 

UPDATE: Not Cool...

Wellp, today I went for a drive, went in a store, and when I came out, all I could get was hot air out of the A/C and vent.   Drove the 30 miles home with the windows open, and stopped by Taxi Guy.  Took him less than a minute to figure out what was wrong.  It is the same part that went wrong on Todd's '06, a box under the dash that I can never get the name of!  In short, they loosen the whole dash assembly as a unit, then replace the part.  So Vic is at the shop, and I am not looking foward to the bill, though Taxi does great work for a lot less than what a dealership would charge.  Hopefully it will be done tomorrow, and I remember to get the name of the part!!

Newburyport MA Police Crown Victoria

MBTA Transit Police Crown Victoria

Mass Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police

Flat Tired...

This weekend, Todd and I went into a store in Groton MA.  As we were getting back into the car, I heard this hissing sound... it was one of Todd's tires, the right rear. We drove about a mile or so to a gas station and filled it up a bit for the trip home, about 15 miles or so. We took a divided highway, trying not to stop if possible, and got to our exit just as all the air was gone. Our road isn't far from the exit, so we didn't have too far to go, but part of the road is very bumpy.  We made quite a racket as we went. As we approached Todd's driveway, a man walking with his family were approaching. The look on his face as Todd backed into the driveway in front of him was priceless...

Cop Uses Cruiser to Stop an 88-Year-Old Man Driving the Wrong Way

The radio report said the trooper was in a Crown Vic.  That aside, the actual stopping of the wrong-way driver is absolute perfection!  I mean, talk about timing!!!

UPDATE: Rotor Madness...

Today we finally replaced my warped brake disc.  It took some heat to get some bolts loose, but otherwise a straight forward job.  The rotor is a Wagner.  I have not tried that brand yet.  Chinese, of course... everything is... I didn't go with anything too fancy due to the age of the car and lack of funds.  The test drive was a success.  I will know for sure as I drive a bit more.

Todd, Vic, and tools...

New CVE Police Interceptor Section!

Last week I got a chance to sit in a 2013 Interceptor Utility.  I snapped a few photos and decided I had to start a new section on the main site for these new police cars.  I have a lot to learn about the cars.  They are so modern, and I am so old fashioned!

The main page for the Interceptors is HERE...

More stuff may be added as time goes by, depending on how many of these Fords show up in my area!

UPDATE: 410??

For the first time in 12 years, Vic told me it could go 410 miles on a full tank of gas!  Also purchased one new front brake rotor.  I know I should really do both, but I can't afford it right now... Hope to replace the warped one soon, though hot weather is coming tomorrow...

Fun facts about the Griswold's Family Truckster

 

Fun facts about the Griswold's Family Truckster

http://social.imakenews.com/watertown-ford/2012/05/26/fun-facts-about-the-family-truckster/

REAR BRAKES: 1" vs 1 3/4" piston clip??

When we swapped wheels recently, I snapped a photo of a rear brake pad.  Yesterday I was looking online for info on aftermarket pads, and found that there are many types.  There are regular and phenolic pistons, and 1" and 1 3/4" piston clips.  I put this to the folks at http://www.crownvic.net/, and it seems there is no real way of knowing what your car has until you pull the wheels and look.  So much for ordering parts ahead of time... At least I know front discs are... well, just front discs!  Same with the front pads.

UPDATE: Tie Rod Ends, Ball Joints, Alignments... OH MY!!

The last few days have been interesting... and expensive.  Try to follow...

FRIDAY:  While out and about, I was really starting to worry about the car shuddering under hard braking.  Also noticed the front end was getting really loud. 

SATURDAY:  We finally took off the snow tires.  Noticed front right brake rotor looked a bit warped.  Rear brake pads need to be replaced.  But worst of all, left tie rod end VERY loose.  I mean bad. 

SUNDAY:  Dropped car off at Taxi Guy

MONDAY:  tie rod ends replaced, made appointment for alignment next day

TUESDAY:  dropped ar off for alignment at 7:45AM.  Went for half hour walk.  When I got back, the car was on the rack, but not aligned.  I was told there was a bad ball joint on the right side.  They told me it would be a waste of money to align it, then get the ball joint repaired, only to need another alignment.  Got quote for job, about $200 installed.  Drove to Taxi Guy.  Said to leave car there.  Mom picked me up, went to Friendly's for breakfast.  Passed shop less than an hour later, and car is being backed out.  All done.  Drove to alignment shop, made appointment for next day.

WEDNESDAY:  dropped car off again for alignment.  Hours pass, car done.  Drove home.

Yes, snow tires are STILL on!  It has been raining a lot lately, and combined with Todd's pinched nerve in his neck, nothing is getting done!

Funny Photo: Park at Own Risk

Coil Pack For Mom's Town Car

Mom's '99 Town Car blew a coil pack today.  About 82,000 miles on the car. 

Chelmsford MA Cruiser

UPDATE: 12th Anniversary!

April 7th marked my 12th year with Vic.  It has about 128,990 miles on it.  I was hoping to make it a round number, but I was off a few miles! 

Yesterday, I had one of those "what made you do THAT??" moments.  I parked to go into a convenience store, and each space had this big upside down horseshoe thing made of steel and concrete.  For some unknown reason, I put the car in drive instead of reverse, and... CRUNCH!!!  I was so mad and embarrassed, knowing the guy at the counter of the Domino's I was in front of probably saw me... I went across the street, got gas, then got out to see what damage there was...

... there was NONE!  Just a slight smudge next to the license plate.  I was so sure I had ruined something.  If I was in a newer car, no doubt the grille or headlights would have been ruined.

I still don't know why I did it...

SPOTTED: New MA State Police Ford Interceptor!

This morning I caught a very quick glimpse of a marked Massachusetts State Police cruiser on a flatbed... a brand spankin' new Ford Interceptor.  It was on a flatbed headed in the direction of Devens MA.  There is a state police barracks there, along with an EVOC training facility.   I tried to find the car later in the day, but it was most likely deep inside state property by that time...

Crazy Off Roading Crown Vic Video!!

UPDATE: Making Connections...

Yesterday it was 70 degrees outside, so I decided to do something constructive.  One of Vic’s battery cable connectors was acting up.  Every once in a while, I’d try to start it, and you’d get a quick connection, then nothing.  If I opened the hood and just tapped the cable, it would connect again.  Since that connector had already been replaced a while back with a lead one, I figured I’d buy a new, non-lead connector and fix this little issue.

Old connectors... original 14 yr old one at left

It was pretty simple removing the offending lead connector.  The hard part was trying to crimp the new connector to the copper cable.  I tried using pliers, but couldn’t get much bend out of them.  So I just made sure all the copper was inside the new end, and taped the begeebers out of the junction.

Then I looked at the other cable.  That one had the original, 14 year old connector, but half of it had disappeared and was only about the width of a wedding ring.  I decided that it would be too hard to try and replace it, but while I was reinstalling it to the battery, SNAP!!  The thing finally fell apart.  That meant I HAD to replace it.

I cut off the factory insulation, and found out my low budget crimping technique was just that.  The correct way to crimp the non-lead ends was far better than what I could do with pliers… and very difficult to remove.  Long story short, I had to use a small saw I found in the cellar to hack the connector off.  Then I removed a little insulation from the cables, shoved them into the new connector, and taped it all up. 



Then came cleanup, which included putting a zillion sockets away.  Finally, I started the car.  Fired right up, but the car’s clocks were showing different times!  The stereo said it was 1:07, the factory dash clock said 12:07!  It was actually about 1:35PM…

I sure hope my repairs hold up.  Time will tell…

New cable ends... will they work???

UPDATE: 128,000 Miles



Sportin' snow tires... but where's the snow this year??



UPDATE: 127,000 Miles and an Adjustment

On 1/4/12, Vic hit 127,000 miles.  It also needed a little adjustment after the intake job.  There was a nasty smell of raw gas that was getting worse and worse.  It was getting hard to sit inside the car!  When I stopped to get some gas, I popped the hood and started sniffing.  I spotted a lot of standing gas pooling around one coil pack.  After sopping up as much as I could with some paper towels, I started to drive back home (about 30 miles).  I stopped by Taxi Guy, and he had me drive the car into a bay, did a few quick adjustments, and now I can breathe in the car again.  One of the coil packs was not seated right in the intake.  I didn't realize just how little there is to keep them in place!  Loosen the fuel rail, twist the coil pack around a bit, then tighten things back up!  I am told there are O-rings that sometimes don't seat properly, helping such a problem to occur.