Bull Geek 812 Posted July 10, 2017 Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 Honestly - how bad is the paint? Is the clear starting to fail on horizontal surfaces? I didn't think it was too bad but it's been a few years. if you repaint - I'd stick with original color because then your jams will all be the correct color already. That red isn't a bright vibrant - seemed closer to a darker red with nice metallic flake. Black of course will show every speck of dirt! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian_05_SEL 1417 Posted July 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 1 hour ago, Bull Geek said: Honestly - how bad is the paint? Is the clear starting to fail on horizontal surfaces? I didn't think it was too bad but it's been a few years. if you repaint - I'd stick with original color because then your jams will all be the correct color already. That red isn't a bright vibrant - seemed closer to a darker red with nice metallic flake. Black of course will show every speck of dirt! It should be in good shape since Chris did his magic on the clearcoated/painted surfaces in 2014. "Bright Red Metallic" is definitely a darker shade of that color, like a Gen 4 in Merlot, and IMO the car should remain that same color. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 10, 2017 Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 Its in relatively good shape still. However the rear quarter panels are starting to lose bottom trim due to rust beginning to weaken the panel. Its either attack the issue now or wait and possibly create more work later on. Were the panels coated without the side trim? At minimum the trim/bumpers need work due to fading, cracks, and scratches. The door jam issue is fine. We know how to professionally paint and have all of the equipment to do so along with complete body restoration. We have done a few other vehicles before so it would be completely dismantled and done top to bottom. I want this car to look showroom new. Its so very very rare to see these in top notch shape and this is an excellent, well preserved car to accomplish this. But, time is beginning to take its toll. After 30 years on the road there are various other scratches and dents I'd like to see removed. I agree with red, black, and silver being best choices to match interior. Either it will stay the same color or I was thinking along the lines of this... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian_05_SEL 1417 Posted July 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2017 It was originally painted red with a black pinstripe from the factory, so that's pretty much the exact opposite. Wouldn't look bad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 14, 2017 Report Share Posted July 14, 2017 Well, pretty sure the EIC is shot. I cant even get it into self test mode. We've tested every diode, connection, and what have you and its all good. Strange. So, I had to order a used one. Hopefully there are no further problems. If it works, great! If not....back to the drawing board. It would be SO nice to know what speed I'm going I did manage to snag all NOS rear glass panels and tail lights as well! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian_05_SEL 1417 Posted July 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2017 What about that spare 1986 Taurus LX cluster that was in the trunkload of spare parts I sent with it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 14, 2017 Report Share Posted July 14, 2017 Converting to analog would be our next option if the digital replacement also fails. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Replaced the EIC and works like a dream. The gas/temp gauge also works again. Not sure what the issue was, but when the shop manual says "replace EIC" after every complication listed there must be no fix for these once they go out. Only problem is, I lost the true mileage. Once it started to fail it reset the car's mileage to only 56...hah. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bull Geek 812 Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 I wonder if you can do some kind of reprogramming of the EIC? any visible issues on circuit board or the copper lined plastic panel on the back? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Its strange. We tested all the circuits and components. Everything was correct and all had correct amperage draw. Tested for grounding etc. Nothing. The shop manual had an extensive troubleshooting list on these all of which resulted in "Replace EIC" if everything else checks okay. The picture shows one of the many odd behaviors it had. It would consistently blink, ghost, beep, display codes, varying speeds, shut completely off. Sometimes it would operate but without any lights. Very erratic. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian_05_SEL 1417 Posted July 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Glad that the cluster is working again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 20, 2019 Report Share Posted July 20, 2019 (edited) Update as of 2019. Our original intent to have the entire car painted is dead. I ended up purchasing a 1990 with no dents or rust and that is the perfect candidate for complete overhaul. Scarlet is, of course, still running the roads. Last year I took her on a nice long trip into the upper peninsula to Ontonagon, MI. About an 8 hour drive and it was smooth sailing the entire trip for 2 weeks. Was nice to have it out and about. This last year I revamped the basket wheels and had to repaint the bumper and trim. Too much had begun to flake off and was down to bare plastic. So, with the new refreshed look she made her way through the 4th of July parade! Edited July 20, 2019 by Sablekid 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian_05_SEL 1417 Posted July 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2019 (edited) Scarlett is looking fantastic. How many miles on her now? Edited July 20, 2019 by Brian_05_SEL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sablekid 23 Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 I dont know anymore When the dash began to act up it erased its memory. If i had to guess, its probably sitting around 61K By the way. Do you know if this ever was changed over to R-134? Planning on taking this for a week when we vacation on Lake Michigan and we have a friend that can recharge AC. Would be nice to have AC in this again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian_05_SEL 1417 Posted July 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 9 hours ago, Sablekid said: I dont know anymore When the dash began to act up it erased its memory. If i had to guess, its probably sitting around 61K By the way. Do you know if this ever was changed over to R-134? Planning on taking this for a week when we vacation on Lake Michigan and we have a friend that can recharge AC. Would be nice to have AC in this again! To my knowledge, it was already converted to R-134 before I purchased it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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