Fox Body Blasphemy? Should I?

[DavidL]

Hi. I am David, and new to this site. I retired from being a General Manager of a large Ford Dealership. Having been around Fords for my entire tenure in the Automotive world, I have an affinity to Fords in general. Over the years I have owned some great cars and trucks. I joined FourEyedPride because I was looking for some information. (Found it By The Way!)

My dilemma is this, during Hot August Nights here in Reno, Nevada, I attended an auction. (I told myself NOT to get a bidders badge) That obviously DIDN'T happen because I asked myself "What If Something Great Is In There"? Well.... then it happened. 5th car of the sale as it was just kicking off, a 1984 Mercury Marquis Station Wagon rolled up on the block. Like I said, the auction had just begun and the Non High Dollar cars get things warmed up. Well, I knew this car was special, so as it was approaching the block, I performed a quick cursory inspection, and I was ANYTHING but disappointed.

3.8L V6
Auto
A/C (Still Blows Ice Cold)
Beige Paint (Original)
Wood-grain Vinyl
Pwr Windows
Pwr Locks
Pwr Split Seats
Remote Fuel Door
Cornering Lights
Dual Function Liftgate
AM/FM Cassette (Still Plays)
Roof Luggage Rack
Rear Defroster
Wire Wheel Covers
White Wall Tires
Speed Control
Tilt Leather Wrapped Steering wheel

This car came out of a gentleman's Estate out of California, where it was sold new and remained her entire life. According to the children who were representing the car, their father loved this station wagon. It never spent a night out in the elements, and they told me that eating and drinking in the car was "Strictly Forbidden". To say the least, she is AMAZING in her condition. I will include a link to the original "Auction Catalog" so you can see pictures of her. Well.... I was smitten. But I didn't need or want anymore cars, but alas, she flew well below the radar of the buyers that were just getting to the auction. Yup.... I stole her. IMHO anyway.

Now, with all of THAT having been said, I have owned and always loved the 1984-1985 LTD LX 5.0L cars. (Even Though when they were new, the CFI systems were cantankerous at best)

So my INITIAL knee Jerk response to myself even before I started bidding was: Make Her V8 in sheep's clothing. Starting out with a Great Car leads to Great Results. (Not having to spend money on appearance, rust, interior etc.... lets me focus on the actual modifications.

But as I sit here now, I am seriously conflicted. Do I leave her alone? The 3.8L idles and performs flawlessly. I "Want" to drop in a Small Block 427.... and have even considered a 5.0L Coyote. The 427 to Me is more appealing visually due to the fact that I can make her look like a "Factory 5.0L by using all factory engine accessories, etc... But the Coyote is obviously a nice choice as well.

I would like to hear some opinions on whether or not I should do NOTHING? Or?

Here is the link for the pics. I promised.

https://www.motorsportauctiongroup.c...am-Woody-Wagon

I will take pics when she is back from the shop having her headliner reaffixed to the hard board as there were spots where it was starting to sag a bit.

[massacre]

That is a great car! Good for you.
As far as the blasphemy thing, it's your car, do what you want.
If it were me i would keep any original parts you remove and try to keep it so that it could be returned to original in case you ever change your mind/sell the car.
Welcome to FEP!

[OX1]

No reason you cannot upgrade tastefully. Minimal interior mods.
No big tach on steering col or aftermarket guages. Get LTD LX tach
and cop car speedo. Maybe put some tiny (1.5") temp/oil pressure guages way
down under dash, where they can't be seen.

Do an aftermarket throttle body injection kit with stock type dual air cleaner.
Keep it looking as stock (or stock like) as possible in engine compartment, even if you go Windsor.

Maybe even LTD LX or TRX wheels, with moderate size rubber.
Underneath on parts you can't see, do whatever you want. Big sway bars, biggest brakes you
can fit and still keep a period correct wheel. MAYBE a 17" reproduction wheel of some sort.

I think you can have the best of both worlds.

[Two86fiveoh's]

VERY nice wagon! As long as the powerplant is Ford, no blasphemy will occur IMO.

Fox wagons are pimp in my book. Would love to score one in the near future, a Volvo 240 wagon will also suffice.

[Gemini1999]

I guess it depends on why you bought the car and what you have planned for it. Did you buy the car because it was a flawless survivor and that's what you were looking for, or did you buy the car as a clean platform for modifications? If you swap out the engine, that flawlessly running 3.8 V6 will be homeless, you won't even be able to give it away. Once you swap out the engine, the next thing will be wheels and tires, then a suspension upgrade and so on.

As you said the car runs flawlessly as it is. Why not enjoy it for awhile and see if you truly appreciate the car, or if you want something more from it. These cars are only all original just once. Once you start modding them, they'll never be the same.

[DavidL]

As you said the car runs flawlessly as it is. Why not enjoy it for awhile and see if you truly appreciate the car, or if you want something more from it. These cars are only all original just once. Once you start modding them, they'll never be the same.

Hi Bryan, looks like we are neighbors as I am in Reno. Your logic makes sense, but logic doesn't mean fun! LOL That is the conundrum!

[dtmilsap]

Drop the your new 427 in, upgrade drive line and leave exterior and interior alone. By the way Have Fun.

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[Gemini1999]

Hi Bryan, looks like we are neighbors as I am in Reno. Your logic makes sense, but logic doesn't mean fun! LOL That is the conundrum!

I know your dilemma. I currently own an 83 convertible with a 3.8 V6. Like yours, it runs flawlessly. Would I like to have a 5.0 car? Of course, but because of the great demand, 5.0 cars are ridiculously priced. When I bought the 83, it cost me far less than a comparable 5.0 version. I opted for quality and price. I couldn't bear to pull it apart. I've spent more money than the car cost to keep it original.

[gr79]

Congrads Id leave it as is until engine give out. Drive it. Show it off.
A clean reliable low mile rare classic is gold. Worth more the way it is.
Get a Marti Report for it. Well worth the money.
Get a less nice car to mod like that. Truthfully, stock all the way is great for car shows.

[wdanison43103]

Once you start modding I feel as though you start to lose some of the charm and character of the car. Don’t get me wrong I love my modded LTD LX but it’s for different reasons now than when I first got behind the wheel. It’s lost some of the things that made me love it in the first place.


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[Hemlock]

Welcome to the site! As far as keeping it factory as others have stated you can always change it back as long as you hang onto all the stock parts and don't make any drastic changes to the car. There are certain things you are gonna want to do if you do decide to upgrade to a V8 anyway to make the car more sturdy. You will want some solid subframe connectors, an upgraded 8.8 rear end and better a quality suspension and brakes. If you keep it a 302 format or a 331 or 347 you wouldn't have to make that many changes under the hood either. Stock cars are nice if you want to go to factory car shows but are kind of boring for fun driving. Just keep in mind the more modded the motor is the more temperamental it will be and when your "FAST" car starts acting up, nothing will ruin your day faster. It goes back to the old adage " Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!" A "mild" build is usually the most reliable build.

Hope this help out,
Robert

[ZephyrEFI]

I see no blasphemy here. As long as you make it look relatively "factory" under the hood most people won't know the difference. DO IT.

BTW, it was nice of the previous owner to put those stupid seat covers on to keep the seats nice for you.

[webestang]

Go for it! I look forward to the day I rip out that 2.3 in my 85 notch and drop in a 5.0.

BTW Those colors on your wagon are to die for..............

[Chuck W]

It's your car. Do as you please.

[Hissing Cobra]

Beautiful wagon! If it were mine, I'd skip the Coyote and the 427 and stick a 302 based stroker in it. You won't have to re-engineer the entire car like you'd have to if you installed a Coyote. With a 302 based stroker, you could retain all factory looking components that would normally be on a 302 version of your car and people wouldn't know that you're packing 400 hp at the tires. I believe that on that car, the front K-member for the V-6 is different than it is for a V-8. If so, that would need to be changed out. Installing '87 - '93 front spindles would allow you to install 11" front brakes too. You could keep it stock looking yet still have the power on tap when needed.

[Chuck W]

I believe that on that car, the front K-member for the V-6 is different than it is for a V-8.

You're thinking of the I6 cars. All of the other engines in the Fox line were able to use the same K-member.

[Hissing Cobra]

Good to know. Thanks for the info!