I have a severe dillema on my hands...

[69428SCJ]

My MM has 102,000 miles on it. It's such an awesome car and I love driving it. I know since it's higher mileage, we're already passed the point of diminishing returns regarding resale, but honestly I'd never sell it anyway. It's got the EATC/BCM problem, the poor paint and the radio antenna problem. It also has an engine tick that nobody can seem to figure out what it is. It wouldn't be an issue fixing all the problems but it's making me sad that the cars has these issues. Because of this, I've been looking at CVPIs. I kinda feel like I'm cheating on the Marauder, but a new paint job and and fixing the engine tick (if it's a wrist pin or worse) alone would cost more than a used P71.

Since I just picked up a 64 Galaxie 500 XL this wouldn't be an immediate purchase though, and the other issues aren't affecting driveability. It just boils down to this, should I retire the MM and get the PI? I'm not really interested in a CV Sport or GM. I know used police cars could potentially have a whole host of their own problems, but you can't kill 'em. I'm just gonna let you guys know, "Fix the problems and drive it!" comments aren't really what I'm looking for...I'm trying to keep the miles on the car low (as counterintuitive as it may seem at this point). Having said that, opinions everyone?

[Motorhead350]

Find out what is wrong for sure and then make a decision.

I would fix it because I love the car.

[sailsmen]

My opinon is start driving all your cars on a rotating basis and don't worry about whats wrong with anyone of them. With that many old cars they are always going to be broken. Just wait until you can't drive it anymore and then fix everything.

[Peter]

I would sell the Marauder and find one with lower mileage and in better mechanical shape.

[FordNut]

Fix the BCM/EATC problem. Drive it. Enjoy it. The other issues are just nuisances. Replace the radio if you need better reception, or get some CD's. The Escape head unit is very well liked by all who have tried it. My wife's car has over 170k, it is a daily driver. And it still gets a lot of looks, is a good (great) car, gets decent mileage. Other members have had the "tick" and ignored it for over 200k, just fix the radio and turn it up so you can't hear the tick.

[fastblackmerc]

Fix-n-drive

[FordNut]

BTW, I wouldn't consider 102k high miles anyway. It's average. 30k would be low. 200k would be high.

[wickedmerc]

I would sell the Marauder and find one with lower mileage and in better mechanical shape.

+1 I agree with Peter here. Sounds like you're losing interest in the car and it's bummin' you out. Don't sweat it :pill: With all those toys you have listed there (and quite an impressive list it is :cool:), refocus on enjoying 1 of those for now.

:twocents: Sell your MM to someone here for a decent price (so you're pretty sure it goes to a good home) and start a search for another one. This way your car can be appreciated by someone with "new-car-enthusiasm" and those issues you mentioned will likely get addressed. At the same time, your search for another can rekindle your own interest in the Marauder....just someone else's.

[HoleyMoley64]

If you decide to go the crown vic route I'd recommend getting an LX or LX sport model. You downgrade substantially from a marauder going to a CVPI. LX with the handling and performance package puts you up nearer the trim level of the marauder, and the LX sport is essentially a marauder with a 2v 4.6

food for thought.

[69428SCJ]

My opinon is start driving all your cars on a rotating basis and don't worry about whats wrong with anyone of them. With that many old cars they are always going to be broken. Just wait until you can't drive it anymore and then fix everything.

I actually do drive my cars on a rotating basis. The Marauder, Impala and Cobra all get driven once daily since I come home for lunch.


+1 I agree with Peter here. Sounds like you're losing interest in the car and it's bummin' you out. Don't sweat it :pill: With all those toys you have listed there (and quite an impressive list it is :cool:), refocus on enjoying 1 of those for now.

:twocents: Sell your MM to someone here for a decent price (so you're pretty sure it goes to a good home) and start a search for another one. This way your car can be appreciated by someone with "new-car-enthusiasm" and those issues you mentioned will likely get addressed. At the same time, your search for another can rekindle your own interest in the Marauder....just someone else's.


Not really losing interest in the car so much as not wanting its condition to deteriorate any further. Out of all my cars, I can honestly say the only car I am losing interest in is the Impala. It's very tired and is literally falling apart.

I'm not too concerned with downgrading, which is why I chose the CVPI for a specific reason. It'd be my beater. I've learned the hard way recently that people can't have nice things anymore and am not willing to risk scratched paint or door dings on any more of my fleet. I want to drive something I won't have to worry about parking in a lot and then coming out and seeing a new door ding or scratch, or worse....not there.

[RF Overlord]

It's got the EATC/BCM problem, the poor paint and the radio antenna problem. It also has an engine tick that nobody can seem to figure out what it is. EATC - 4 stupid little o-rings. A bag of 100 from McMaster/Carr costs $5 and it's only an hour to repair with simple hand tools. Do it.

BCM - a brand new Motorcraft module from Tascaparts.com is under $40. Yeah, kind of a pain to access, but still not a major issue. Do it.

Poor paint - No, they're not Pebble Beach Concours quality. Get over it.

Radio/Antenna issue - Probably not the antenna, unless you've already done some investigating. Repair/replace the head unit. $157 flat rate repair from here (http://www.videoservicestop.com/radiorepairs/ford.htm). (other members have used them)

Engine tick - Don't know your specifics, but Phoebe has had a slight intermittent tap for the last 58,000 miles (145,000 on her now...bought at 87,000). Hasn't gotten any worse. These are chatty motors...

[69428SCJ]

Those will get done in due time, but right now I'm nowhere near my tools. Maybe when I get back home in about a month, but the car's gonna have to survive a cross-country trip first.

[RF Overlord]

The EATC and BCM only need simple hand tools...maybe you can borrow some in the meantime?

...and do you really want to make a cross-country trip with no tunes? Pull the radio with the cheap-o DIN removal tools from Wally World and send it to the shop. You should have it back in 2 weeks.

[fastblackmerc]

EATC - 4 stupid little o-rings. A bag of 100 from McMaster/Carr costs $5 and it's only an hour to repair with simple hand tools. Do it.

BCM - a brand new Motorcraft module from Tascaparts.com is under $40. Yeah, kind of a pain to access, but still not a major issue. Do it.

Poor paint - No, they're not Pebble Beach Concours quality. Get over it.

Radio/Antenna issue - Probably not the antenna, unless you've already done some investigating. Repair/replace the head unit. $157 flat rate repair from here (http://www.videoservicestop.com/radiorepairs/ford.htm). (other members have used them)

Engine tick - Don't know your specifics, but Phoebe has had a slight intermittent tap for the last 58,000 miles (145,000 on her now...bought at 87,000). Hasn't gotten any worse. These are chatty motors...

What he said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[dohc324ci]

Sell the Impala and buy the P71 what's left over fix the Marauder.

[69428SCJ]

I have CDs, and with the 6-disc in the trunk tunes won't be much of a problem. The reception isn't bad, but it's not as strong as it should be. But no, I wouldn't want to make a cross-country trip with no tunes, even if the better half is in the car with me. I can't sell the Impala, it's against my rules. If it were just a run-of-the-mill Caprice then sure, but once I buy a collectible car, it's mine forever.

[BirchMarauder]

Leave it on the side of the road with the keys in it and put the signed title in the glove box.

[jsignorelli]

I also had issues with my radio. First the AM went. Then the FM went...I called Crutchfield. Now I have CD, Am/FM, Ipod, and XM.
As for the engine tick, have you checked out the coil packs? I had several go bad at 40,000 miles. I replaced all of them with the Granatelli Hi-Output (65,000 volt) coils. Now I'm at 55,000 miles and lovin it.

[69428SCJ]

I have not checked the coil packs. Mainly because it sounds metallic, unless the COP tick sounds metallic???

[tbone]

102k is barely broken in on these cars.

[LIGHTNIN1]

Try 4 cans of STP gel on the tick and a set of headers.

[RF Overlord]

Try 4 cans of STP gel on the tickFilling the crankcase with wheel bearing grease would be cheaper.

[SC Cheesehead]

Filling the crankcase with wheel bearing grease would be cheaper.

Personal experience speaking here, Bob? ;)

[Spectragod]

Well, your coming back to Ohio right? I'm getting ready to pull the motor from my MM, it's got a whopping 20,800 on it. I will make you a deal....

[jsignorelli]

Bearing grease in the crankcase seems a bit extreme. I have guys in my Mustang club who swear that Navy coffee (engine room crew) would work just as well as the bearing grease!

[dakslim]

EATC - 4 stupid little o-rings. A bag of 100 from McMaster/Carr costs $5 and it's only an hour to repair with simple hand tools. Do it.

BCM - a brand new Motorcraft module from Tascaparts.com is under $40. Yeah, kind of a pain to access, but still not a major issue. Do it.

Poor paint - No, they're not Pebble Beach Concours quality. Get over it.

Radio/Antenna issue - Probably not the antenna, unless you've already done some investigating. Repair/replace the head unit. $157 flat rate repair from here (http://www.videoservicestop.com/radiorepairs/ford.htm). (other members have used them)

Engine tick - Don't know your specifics, but Phoebe has had a slight intermittent tap for the last 58,000 miles (145,000 on her now...bought at 87,000). Hasn't gotten any worse. These are chatty motors...


What he said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What they both said. Fixed my EATC and the BCM. EATC=easy fix. BCM=a little harder.

[69428SCJ]

I am moving back to Ohio, we can discuss it when I get back into town. Does anyone have any o-rings they can send me so I can take care of the EATC problem???

[CBT]

Bearing grease in the crankcase seems a bit extreme. I have guys in my Mustang club who swear that Navy coffee (engine room crew) would work just as well as the bearing grease!
Mid-watch coffee will peel non-skid, I wouldn't doubt it could double as a lot of things, lol.

[69428SCJ]

Here's the BLUF, if it is a rod knock and I have to open up the engine...then the car will have some serious downtime because the Eaton swap will happen.

[2,4shofast]

Here's the BLUF, if it is a rod knock and I have to open up the engine...then the car will have some serious downtime because the Eaton swap will happen.

That sounds like the perfect repair to me:bows:

[rayjay]

If you go the used P71 route look them over very carefully as they are usually beat to death in a town/village/city. Try to get a highway patrol car if possible.

[69428SCJ]

I'll have to look into the highway patrol cars. I know Ohio sells theirs all the time...most of them are 2007 with 120,000ish miles on them.

[FordNut]

They may hold onto them longer since they can't get replacements.

[rayjay]

I'll have to look into the highway patrol cars. I know Ohio sells theirs all the time...most of them are 2007 with 120,000ish miles on them.

If you aren't too far from the NY/PA border look at their auctions also. Keep in mind that any used PD car will have a ton of run time on the engine from idling.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I replaced the radio for $79 on ebay.
If you cant't fix the EATC yourself, I'm sure someone here will be willing to fix it for you. You would just need to pay shipping both ways.