HOW TO Change a Crown Victoria Grille

SO after installing nice new headlights in Vic 3.0, I decided to bite the bullet and also install the NOS grille I had been sitting on for MANY years.  

This is a simple install.  All you need to do is remove the black plastic filler panel/radiator cover, then use a socket (I forgot to note the size for you, I THINK they are 7/16") and remove the retaining nuts all around the back of the grille.  Swap grilles, and put the nuts back... simple!  But don't overtighten them... don't want to snap the posts!

Now is a good time to touch up the paint around the grille... you KNOW you need to!

Old on bottom... note the corrosion on the chrome

Looks like a new car!  Now that license plate holder needs to be changed...

HOW TO Change Crown Victoria Headlights

I am way behind with updates, so to catch up a bit, here's a quick rundown of how to swap your crummy, cloudy old headlights with nice, clear, shiny new ones.  A while back, I had scored a brand new original Ford and one super nice used example, and last year decided to install them and stop worrying that I'd be inviting some sort of smash-up simply by them being there (would be my luck, just like every single time I get brand new tires, I get nails and screws stuck in them!).

STEP ONE:  Open the hood, and remove the black plastic filler panel/radiator cover

STEP TWO:  Take a tool that you are comfortable with and slide these two retaining brackets UP to free the headlight

STEP THREE:  Unscrew the round plastic retainer around the main headlight bulb.  Mine was broken and slid right out.  You can now slide the headlight unit out of the car

Headlight removed showing wiring harness

STEP FOUR:  Replace any bulbs you want to update.  As you can see, my "blinkas" were nasty looking, so I swapped in new ones.  I also had a spare retaining ring from the used headlight to replace my broken original

Comparison of original, 15 year old headlight with NOS replacement.  Notice the positioning pins are also the adjustments to align the headlights once they are on the car

NOW just reverse the process!  I matched the alignment pins to the old ones, assuming that the lighting would then match.  I was wrong... Use either a small socket or plyers, etc to properly align them.  Not sure how?  Here are some links to help you out:

https://youtube/GWvSWBlAwnI?si=C0WH7aVmp_BqXyhq&t=20

https://raybuck.com/how-to-adjust-align-headlights/

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-aim-and-adjust-headlights

Before... after...

RETIRED: Dad's 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis

Dad's 2010 Grand Marquis went to a new home today, with a whopping 70,615 miles on it.  It went to a local man, so we may see it out and about!  Dad is now driving Mom's 2011 Crown Vic.  

12/21/11-7/14/22

PINK Massachusetts State Police Cruiser Spotted in Concord MA

LOOK!  There's Barbie's Malibu Dream Car!

Nope.   

I finally spotted the Massachusetts State Police pink breast cancer cruiser! It was parked at the Concord barracks, so I had to pull in to take a photo! I didn't want to look too conspicuous (in an old police car??) so I only took a couple out the window. Of course, it was cloudy so the colors didn't "pop" but you get the picture.

This cruiser was created as part of the Pink Patch Project, and to "raise awareness and show support for all who have battled and continue to battle breast cancer or any other type of cancer."

150,461 MILE UPDATE: Oily, Tired, and Tense...

Vic 3.0 has been getting some attention lately.  First new shocks/struts, then a new fan belt, then a new fan belt tensioner, and then today a nice (overdue) Mobil 1 oil change and a set of brand spankin' new Goodyear RS-A tires.  

The belt tensioner wasn't planned.  When we installed the new belt, we noticed that it took more effort than usual to move the tensioner to get the belt on/off.  On the belt went, and out into the ether emanated a horrible screech when I started the car.  I assumed the belt just needed to seat itself into position.

Wellp, the next day the sound was SO bad, not just when the car started, but every time I had to use the throttle from a stop.  I dropped by Upholstery Guy's shop and he suggested I get a can of belt dressing.  I took his advice, and it seemed to help.  By the end of the day, the sound was gone.  BUT every time the car started up cold, that screech was there, scaring birds and neighbors.

On to Rock Auto I went, and ordered a Motorcraft belt tensioner.  I planned on installing it myself as all I needed to do was remove one bolt, but Taxi Guy did it for me before I knew what had happened!  (150,327 miles)  Now, everything is nice and quiet.  I almost think I can hear a difference as well.  

As for the tires, I waited and searched and scored a set for a decent price.  RS-A's don't have a high treadwear rating (it's about performance, not longevity) but even so, they made me realize the old set NEEDED to be replaced.  They were all over 10 years old so had some age-cracking, and had worn enough to be good for dry weather speed, but NOT safe for rain.

Now, the last time I put this much money into a car, it ended up being totaled by my mother.  I sure hope nothing happens to this one, too!!  

Vic 3.0's Twin Back In Town

Now that "The Taurus" has left Mystery Mechanic's fleet, having moved on to a new life with a new owner, Vic 3.0's twin is back in town.  

We went out to where it has been stored, uncovered it, hooked up the battery and after two years it fired up first try!  (It is an Interstate Power Fast Series, for those who are curious)  All the tires had 25psi in them so my job was to pump them back up while MM worked on swapping a new wheel/tire onto his Little Red Trailer.  

Vic 3.0b has 139,294 miles and 278 idle hours.  Unfortunately, it also has a little transmission issue that we have to troubleshoot.  A good transmission was swapped into it already, but it still has issues.  Personally, I think we need to look into the torque converter but it could be some other things as well.  It is a good solid car so MM wants to get it all happy again.

OF NOTE, I found a gas receipt inside dated 11/3/19, just before we put it into storage.  The price of regular was $2.28/gallon............................ today, I paid $4.89 at a CHEAP station... average in Massachusetts is about $5.05.

The twins are together again!

149,619 Mile Update: SHOCKING! ... again... really...

Vic 3.0 had new OEM shocks/struts installed by Taxi Guy... without a lift, thanks to two of his being down and a third having a car already on it.  BUT it was done and I no longer need to think about a front coil spring taking out a fender!  Amazingly, there isn't a "night & day" difference, but things like bridge expansion joints are way nicer to drive over.  I'll have a better idea of the difference once the less-than-perfectly-balanced snow tires are off, which should be done today, and new tires are installed (hopefully later this week if Taxi Guy's lifts are repaired). 

So assuming the shocks that got replaced were original, they lasted 149,619 miles and about 14 years.  The ones on 2.0 leaked but these never did.  Then again, 3.0's and Mom's '11 had a front coil spring break, but 2.0 never had than happen despite being driven aggressively for years.