Fun car: 1983 Town Car

[Benzadmiral]

Have a look at what a local dealer has: http://www.dealndougs.com/1983-Lincoln-TOWN-CAR-SEDAN-Metairie-Louisiana-70003/4096628

He says it has 33K miles, but admits he doesn't know that for sure, so it could be 133K or even 233K. However, it looks great for its age. Any of you ever drive one of these?

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Pretty decent from what others say...

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/lincoln/town_car/1984/single-page/

 

[JHZR2]

I like the older ones. This is too modern.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I want it!

 

[hemitom]

I have, floaty and under powered. I like the floaty ride myself so i'm biased to these land barges.

 

[Spazdog]

I think the F VIN 302 is a CFI on passenger cars in 1983

No problems there. No power at all above 5000 rpm but that is not really a concern on a Town Car.

No real concerns unless it is a Variable Venturi carburetor. I think oxygenated E10 has pretty much wiped those out of existance. Regular 2bbl? No problem. CFI? (TBI) Even better. Variable Venturi? Run away!

 

[Benzadmiral]

I'm going to be out there this weekend; I think I'll stop by and test drive it. No idea about the dealer -- he's been running lots of TV and radio ads lately -- but the car's color and styling appeals to me.

(JHZR2, if my "older" you mean the '61-65 Lincoln Continental with the suicide doors, then yes, that's my ideal too.)

 

[drtyler]

I've got an '89 model, the last year of the really boxy style. I like it. Its been mostly reliable since it has been in our family (since 1995).

Nice cars. Like previously mentioned, it has a floaty ride and the 5.0 V8 isn't exactly a burner. But it's enough. I think they were rated around 150 hp.

Not very complicated to work on, although a little more than the '70s models. Not quite as much room to work in the engine bay as you would expect.

If you like it, get it. Lots of those cars are ragged out, and that one appears to be a nice example.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
I think the F VIN 302 is a CFI on passenger cars in 1983

No problems there. No power at all above 5000 rpm but that is not really a concern on a Town Car.

No real concerns unless it is a Variable Venturi carburetor. I think oxygenated E10 has pretty much wiped those out of existance. Regular 2bbl? No problem. CFI? (TBI) Even better. Variable Venturi? Run away!

Aside from the VIN, is there any way for me to tell if it has the Variable Venturi carburetor? Nearly all the gas in my area is 10% ethanol, so I'd assume they've filled this car with it. If it runs well, is that a good indicator that it's the CFI or 2-barrel carb?

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Stanley Rockafeller
Pretty decent from what others say...

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/lincoln/town_car/1984/single-page/

I checked that same site before I bought the Buick. Real comments from real users!

 

[OVERKILL]

You could always convert it to EFI too..... That's an option.

I'd sell you mine if you are mechanically inclined, but it probably wouldn't be worth the drive for you.

 

[Colt45ws]

Needs an HO conversion and EFI swap.
I think that was the first year of the AOD.

 

[clarkflower]

Originally Posted By: hemitom
I have, floaty and under powered. I like the floaty ride myself so i'm biased to these land barges.


Hit that right on the head. My mom bought a new one.
It leaned out of the corners
After a bump you kept going up and down for what seemed like 100 yards

I love the stimulated wood

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
I think the F VIN 302 is a CFI on passenger cars in 1983

No problems there. No power at all above 5000 rpm but that is not really a concern on a Town Car.

No real concerns unless it is a Variable Venturi carburetor. I think oxygenated E10 has pretty much wiped those out of existance. Regular 2bbl? No problem. CFI? (TBI) Even better. Variable Venturi? Run away!

Aside from the VIN, is there any way for me to tell if it has the Variable Venturi carburetor? Nearly all the gas in my area is 10% ethanol, so I'd assume they've filled this car with it. If it runs well, is that a good indicator that it's the CFI or 2-barrel carb?


Take the air cleaner off. If it's CFI you'll see the injectors and a vacuum modulator looking device at the back of the throttle body. Motorcraft 2bbl looks like a Motorcraft 2bbl. Variable Venturi looks similar to a regular 2bbl but you can see the black plastic slides from the top of the carb.

 

[Colt45ws]

VV:

CFI:

2bbl:

 

[FoxS]

Carfax suggests 133k

 

[drtyler]

It may or may not be correct, but the epa fuel economy sheet picture on the dealer website (looks to be original to the car) says fuel injection.

 

[Spazdog]

I was pretty sure it was CFI.

Never had a single problem with my H.O. CFI 302....you know, other than the design problem with the AOD not upshifting until 500 rpm after the engine hits a brick wall in power output.

But that's more of a problem on the Mustang. Not the Town Car. And it doesn't affect reliability. Just whether or not that stupid HO 305 Camaro can pass you or if you can force it to upshift in time to keep him behind.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: drtyler
It may or may not be correct, but the epa fuel economy sheet picture on the dealer website (looks to be original to the car) says fuel injection.

You're right; I glanced at that, and had forgotten it by the time I posted. (The sheet also estimates the yearly gas cost based on a price of $1.65/gal. A historical document for sure.)

 

[Colt45ws]

I almost forgot, but make sure the bushing for the TV cable on the throttle linkage is in good condition. Its plastic and fails, taking the trans with it. There is a new part available made of brass.