1978 Mark V
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1978 Mark V
Just inherited a '78 Lincoln Mark V from my mom's family, seems nobody else wanted it. It is grey w/the silver grey interior, 460 under the hood and 48k and change on the odometer. Not really a car I would normal seek out, but my driver/beater Caravan has 272K on the odo and is always needing little fixes (that will shortly turn into big fixes w/the mileage). Wife HATES this car, but I don't have to go too far w/this rig so gas MPG isn't a huge concern. I was thinking about maybe trying to do something in a few months w/ it (ie; true dual exhaust w/dual cats, LSC 16" rims w/ lower profile tires, KYB shocks, alum intake w/ better carb, etc.) Anybody ever have one of these and/or worked with a 460 in a heavy rig to make it a little less of a pig? Not expecting miracles, just like tinkering w/my vehicles and improving them
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Louisiana
Any pics? I have always been fascinated with cars of that vintage, especially the Lincolns. I doubt I would ever own and drive one but I always grabbed any chance I would get to check them out.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Central, MA
Trouble is the weight of the car. These were some of the last big Lincolns before they all went to using the 302 mill and the AOD transmission.
If you plan on keeping it, dump the converters with go with real dual exhaust. On the intake side a better 4bbl and a K&N filter would be good too.
This could get expensive. It all depends on where you want to go with this.
There might be some websites that toy with these older smogged cars.
EDIT:
Just found this place- http://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/
If you plan on keeping it, dump the converters with go with real dual exhaust. On the intake side a better 4bbl and a K&N filter would be good too.
This could get expensive. It all depends on where you want to go with this.
There might be some websites that toy with these older smogged cars.
EDIT:
Just found this place- http://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
DUDE! I think I almost bought that car! Or at least one like it. My advice DRIVE IT! There aren't very many of them left in good condition. It's a GREAT car, and yeas it's heavy and will get OK mileage just don't expect much more than 13 in town and 16 or so on the highway.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Does the state of Washington smog test 1970's vehicles?
In CA, all emission related parts must remain on any 1976 or newer vehicle and be in good working order, otherwise it will not pass smog.
If the vehicle will not pass a smog test, it cannot be registered.
I'd verify what emissions parts can remain on the Mark before you start removing them.
Emission parts for older vehicles can be very hard to find new or used in good working order.
btw: LSC wheels will not fit a Mark V.
1977/79 Mark V wheels are 5 lug, with a 5.00" bolt circle.
The LSC model was introduced on the Mark VII in 1984. LSC wheels are 5 lug, with a 4.50" bolt circle.
In CA, all emission related parts must remain on any 1976 or newer vehicle and be in good working order, otherwise it will not pass smog.
If the vehicle will not pass a smog test, it cannot be registered.
I'd verify what emissions parts can remain on the Mark before you start removing them.
Emission parts for older vehicles can be very hard to find new or used in good working order.
btw: LSC wheels will not fit a Mark V.
1977/79 Mark V wheels are 5 lug, with a 5.00" bolt circle.
The LSC model was introduced on the Mark VII in 1984. LSC wheels are 5 lug, with a 4.50" bolt circle.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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Change the 2.70 rear gear for something around a 3.50 or 3.70 and you would surprise a lot 19 year old street fighters.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
In 2000 I bought a 1992 E150 with a 351w/4spd auto/3:55. We had a bunch of kids that thought their hondas and cavaliers were cool. Light to light I'd spank 'em all day long. That car with the right mods will be a BEAST. I'd love to own one.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Midwest
this is a truck forum,some guys have 460's in their trucks. trucks are heavy. I would suggest some of the mods that work on the truck motors would make the car move out smartly also. might look into the engine specific forum for some ideas.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
How much do you estimate this Mark V weighs?
According to FoMoCo, the shipping weight of a 1977/79 Mark V is 5145 lbs. which is certainly no lightweight!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
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From: Blairsville,Ga
that is one of the sweetest rides ever was and pretty much bullet proof running gear,but you ain't never gonna make a dragster out of it,just too dam heavy
How ever it is a fine cruiser and as far as fuel milage bout 12 to 13 in town,on the interste at 70 to 80 17 maybe 17.5
I had a '78 MarkV and a '79 town car and loved them both
How ever it is a fine cruiser and as far as fuel milage bout 12 to 13 in town,on the interste at 70 to 80 17 maybe 17.5
I had a '78 MarkV and a '79 town car and loved them both
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Get some huge wheels, a lift kit, schedule an appointment at the dentist to get gold crowns installed, install a sub in the trunk, lean the front seat as far back as you can go and still see over dash... and you're all set! 
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Only King and Pierce counties had emissions testing last I knew, so depending where you are in WA you can get away with a lot. I would keep the essentials of the equipment intact, but replace the cat with a pair of high flow performance units, keep the stock intake and put a Holley 4150 on it, and keep the exterior looking fairly stock. This thing could be a real sleeper.
FWIW, with a bit of tuning, 20mpg on the highway isn't out of reach. My 70 Galaxie got 25 at 80+.
FWIW, with a bit of tuning, 20mpg on the highway isn't out of reach. My 70 Galaxie got 25 at 80+.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
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From: Nebraska
Sounds like a nice car. I too would love to see some pics. I've got a 79 Continental with a 400 and 60K. Last year of the big (huge) body style but no 460. The GVWR of this car is a few pounds higher than any of my half tons!
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Ken, are you advocating me gettin' "16 swiches fo all da bit*hes?" I can't go and get it for about 2 more weeks, when my uncle gets the papers to me (my mom's family lives throughout Alaska for the most part). Bill, no smog tests here for rigs over 25 or 30 years old but I do like my rigs to run clean-it'll get true duals, but probably w/dual high-flow cats. Luckily, too, 460 aftermarket stuff seems much more prevelant so an dual-plane aluminum intake can probably be found easily on Craigslist, eBay, or a swapmeet. Carb will have to be a new piece. It'll never be a drag machine, that's not my plan... I'll get some photos when me and my buddy get it out (it'll probably not be much to look at; it hasn't been touched in about 3 years or so).