🔧 BUILD 1984 Ford LTD Wagon 4.8L 78/75 Turbo 4L80E Build

General Information

It didn't just feel right, not having an 80s shitbox. There has just been a void in my heart that I couldn't fill with new cars. Since my recent mishap with my Mustang, there was an open spot in the stable. I do have a new DD, but that's another thread for another day.

Saw this gem of a vehicle on the BookFace, only a short 4.5 hour drive up in Wisconsin. Thing looked pretty clean in the pictures so I figured I'd check it out. Talked the fiance into the drive, somehow.

I got up there and it was even cleaner than in the pictures. The interior is like a time capsule. It's just about Mint, no cracks, no breaks, 100% original and unharmed. Only downside is that it is red. Although, the ugly color kind of fits the ugly (read: awesome) car.

It's a 1984 Ford LTD Wagon. It's basically a Mustang Wagon. It sits in the fox chassis, and pretty much all the parts are interchangeable. It had a little bit of surface rust here and there, and then some rust on the bottom of the driver side doors. Nothing that really concerned me.The paint seems like it may be original. Can't totally tell, but looks like it.

It has a 3.8L V6 which makes a blistering 120HP (new, this one probably makes considerably less). It has a 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The car runs surprisingly well, and transmission shifts silky smooth. It felt like it ran a little bit choppy on decel, but nothing that really concerned me. The car made thr 4.5 hour drive from middle of nowhere Wisconsin no problem.

I took one picture myself, the rest are from the ad. Will add more pictures tomorrow when the sun comes up.

Mook Mook already made the "how long til you sell it after doing nothing with it joke" so save yourself the time :rofl:

20200705_154450.jpeg


20200705_223738.jpeg


20200705_223756.jpeg


20200705_223722.jpeg


20200705_223812.jpeg

Turbocharged400sbc

3800 & 4T80E > ALL
TCG Premium
Jun 16, 2007
32,541
15,849
hangover park IL
I don't recall anything on the 4l80e being at risk. Only risky thing with tcc unlocked to locked is full power apply or still having nvh tcc slip utilized preventing actual lockup, or third would be keeping oem tcc apply pressure and not bumping it up through the regulator.

On a dyno it's perfect, get to 3rd/1:1, lockup and make pull
 

Sprayin

Public Enemy #1
TCG Premium
Oct 8, 2008
25,112
20,155
Grand Rapids, MI
Well if you are not sure it's safe to lock the converter on the dyno or when making a pass, you can still lock it when cruising.

I like my 4C triple cruising and at WOT in my 2010 h/c Camaro but I'm not sure what power levels CD recc's locking the verter.
Yeah it locks up during cruise just not at WOT
 

Pro Stock John

LS is the best engine
TCG Premium
Sep 20, 2011
10,331
14,115
Chicago North Side
In my '67 I have an SBE LM7, timing (on E85) was set pretty conservative to start, 13 degrees @ 20 psi. We've since added timing, went to 15.

I believe you want to watch where the engine drops on the shift, want to keep it above peak torque. Also the tuner should have pulled timing out around peak torque.

Lock up with a 4L80E is something I'd experiment down the line if you start running the car at the track a fair amount. Let's say you shift it at 6500 and run 13x mph in the 1/4. I'd probably try locking the converter in 3rd 5 mph before the traps and see what it does. I'm simplifying how I would approach that but I'd try to lock it a bit before the traps and keep working the lock up point back until the motor starts to lug too much and it's not picking up mph. If the converter is super efficient for the combo you might not pick up much.
 

Turbocharged400sbc

3800 & 4T80E > ALL
TCG Premium
Jun 16, 2007
32,541
15,849
hangover park IL
Oooo I wanna learn more gen 3 , you refer to the engine?
Does it lead to hammered beari gs?

Is there a std term people use for that "collective gearhead lessons learned"
I'd like to read more. Kinda on the fence of whether my oil pressure is a hammered bearings and old age or old age and lots of e85 lol

I did it with the tr to reduce tq across the chainset and holding the input shaft straighter.
I had the converter built tight with minimal stall
 

Thread Info