MARK VI LOVE: 1st Year Review Written by Reginald A. Craig
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MARK VI LOVE: 1st Year Review Written by Reginald A. Craig
Ownership of my 1980 Continental Mark VI for the past year has been inspiring and mechanically educational. Today I wish to share with you my experiences of the journey from delivery to my first drive. Who knows, maybe after being entertained you’ll even take action towards the deepest passion burning within.
WELCOME HOME:
Gravity graciously unloaded my 18 foot long coupe directly across the street from my doorstep. The way it rolled down off the trailer reminded me how Doc Brown unleashed the Time Machine onto the train tracks in the old west.
Once all four tires touch the earth my project car soon came to a lifeless stop needing immediate resuscitation. After about 20 minutes of intravenous therapy the engine sputtered about and gave just enough consciousness to desperately claw up the driveway and coast silently into the garage. Reality truly set in from that day forth. Not only did I have a four thousand pound mystery to solve, but the car edition of musical chairs would begin.
UNDER OBSERVATION:
For the first three months I took meticulous notes as I familiarized myself with every inch of the vehicles condition. When weather permitted I’d detail the interior and exterior while pondering my repairs strategy.
Every time I’d open the garage hope and determination filled my being. The excitement all rushes back from vacations as a kid that I might soon travel in the Mark VI again. Yes it was childhood memories that led me here, but the chance to preserve youth is worth every bit of my will. In effort to wrap my head around the task at hand, I acquired an official shop manual outlining the electrical, engine and chassis. However as winter sat in there was not much more I could do until warmth returns. During the long season my thoughts would not remain idle. January 2018 I decided to announce to the world about my adventure finding this rare automobile. My debut blog was titled - LINCOLN LOVE: A True Story Experienced (http://1980lincolnlove.blogspot.com/2018/01/lincoln-love-true-story-experienced-and.html).
I thought sharing my activities might inspire others to pursue their inner passion as well. Writing has become a therapeutic exercise that I enjoy very much. As I discover solutions that resolve problems on my to-do list, I plan to post results for the benefit of enthusiasts that follow. The ability to access useful information via the internet relies on rich contributions made by all of us.
SURGERY BEGINS:
After planning a priority list of repairs over the winter, the anticipation was finally over. Spring had arrived : ) My first easy procedure was replacing the existing generic battery with a new proper fitting one which lowered directly into its bay, then charged it up! Now with the ability to start the car untethered, I examined the behavior of the carburetor and attempted to clear the jets of deposits with Gumout. The Occasional engine stalling was starting to get the best of me, but I was working with a lean budget so rushing to judgment was out of the question. Safety and reliability would not be compromised in my process. Trust me, I really wanted to drive this car beyond the shadow of my garage but it had a massive gas tank leak around the seal.
When I finally committed “$$$” to taking the car in for repair I was well equipped; gas can, portable booster and a stomach full of butterflies. The total trip was approximately one mile of repeatedly stalling. When the engine did run I had an inclination that the brakes were faulty too. Anyway, the repair shop dumped the old fuel and replace with an OEM tank.
After getting fresh gasoline the stalling reduced, but I had to double back due to leaks in the fuel lines overlooked by the mechanic.
By the time this issue was resolved we were well into summer. It was necessary for me to gap between repairs to soften the financial blow. The shock of the cost after the first repair prompted a bubble bath meeting with my wife to discuss adjustments in the restoration strategy. Also I had to gracefully bow out of the 24th annual 2018 Woodward Dream Cruise due to unsorted issues with the brake system. The local repair shop has been my rescue for advance projects above by experience. I’ve taken the initiative to be an observant student along the way. At the end of August it was determined that the Brake Booster, Master Cylinder and a hydraulic line leaking over the rear axial all needed to be replaced, plus air in the intake manifold was escaping. They fixed everything, Wow! What a difference, brakes perform like new. The car stops on a dime and gives me back 9 cents change.
Brake Booster
As a byproduct from the repairs the stalling also completely subsided. What I learned was several systems in the Continental Mark VI uses vacuum from compression created during combustion; transmission, headlight doors, the brake booster and other mechanical functions. When a major component fails it disrupts stability in the core system, thus the car would stall under load. Well, I’m sure glad something got fixed for free in this project of patience.
REHABILITATION:
My wife and I would take our maiden voyage in the Mark VI Saturday morning, September 1, 2018. We would successfully make a 12 mile round trip to the north side Post Office. Everything proved to be well considering no prior knowledge of operation before ownership. Keep in mind I’ve been tinkering around under the hood for almost a year trying to make it road worthy. The following weekend we’d cruise a little bit further just to grow our confidence with the car. During our drive this time we got a few stares and a smile but mostly puzzled reactions. Generally people recognize the shape of a Lincoln, however most can’t put a finger on exactly from what decade this is. When behind the wheel of a car like this you have to be mindful how far the nose sticks out in traffic, especially the Michigan left. While driving around I did notice a few needed adjustments, but nothing seemingly major.
(TRIP TO THE ISLAND:)
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
I’m thankful to have the support from my family that tolerates my exploration in Lincoln preservation. This acquisition of a desired and admired vehicle unexpectedly drove me to new discoveries. Now you try it! Capture a dream no matter how insignificant in the eyes of others, the momentum may lead you to greater opportunities.
LINCOLN LOVE: A TRUE STORY EXPERIENCED AND WRITTEN BY REGINALD A. CRAIG In the mid-70’s I was born and raised in the city of Detroit where cars and music were king. The first automobile I ever rode in as an infant was my dad’s 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV. My father always owned a Continental and it was a normal thing for me to see growing up. The earliest memories I relate to the Mark IV is a family outing to Safari Land - Canada, where the giraffes stoop their necks low to be hand feed leaves while visitors drive their cars slowly through the terrain. When we weren't cruising around my father often drove his Continental to work. On his return home he’d CB radio to the house his handle; “Handyman 1 to Handyman 2, do you read me over…”. That was our cue that he was coming in for a landing and to open the backyard gates. However the least flattering memory was how frequently my dad needed to add oil. Seeing this routine familiari...
RELATIONSHIP LOVE: Easy Starting - Difficult Keeping, by Reginald A. Craig They say you don’t miss what you never had, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t want for it! WAITING FOR THE FIRST KISS: Deny at all cost. Sabotage with insults and spitballs. Nobody can even be allowed to conjure up the idea that me and a 3rd grade classmate would ever be sitting in a tree… Well folks, back in those days it was total embarrassment for anyone to assume that I would have a girlfriend. As a kid all I really wanted to do was play with my joystick and dribble a ball, Atari joystick that is ; ) The next school year girls weren’t as scary to me but I was still afraid to befriend one particular classmate who at the time might have been the ideal first “Girl Friend”. Her name was Melissa and she was a very bright student. My trouble however was not with her, but with a kid named Michael. He was the class bully and often tormented me. I could’t afford any additional attention being drawn to...
Once all four tires touch the earth my project car soon came to a lifeless stop needing immediate resuscitation. After about 20 minutes of intravenous therapy the engine sputtered about and gave just enough consciousness to desperately claw up the driveway and coast silently into the garage. Reality truly set in from that day forth. Not only did I have a four thousand pound mystery to solve, but the car edition of musical chairs would begin.
Every time I’d open the garage hope and determination filled my being. The excitement all rushes back from vacations as a kid that I might soon travel in the Mark VI again. Yes it was childhood memories that led me here, but the chance to preserve youth is worth every bit of my will. In effort to wrap my head around the task at hand, I acquired an official shop manual outlining the electrical, engine and chassis. However as winter sat in there was not much more I could do until warmth returns. During the long season my thoughts would not remain idle. January 2018 I decided to announce to the world about my adventure finding this rare automobile. My debut blog was titled - LINCOLN LOVE: A True Story Experienced (http://1980lincolnlove.blogspot.com/2018/01/lincoln-love-true-story-experienced-and.html).
I thought sharing my activities might inspire others to pursue their inner passion as well. Writing has become a therapeutic exercise that I enjoy very much. As I discover solutions that resolve problems on my to-do list, I plan to post results for the benefit of enthusiasts that follow. The ability to access useful information via the internet relies on rich contributions made by all of us.
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