1978 Lincoln Continental Coupe

[Fred32v]

Serious fun while you had it. The Hot Rod Lincoln made for a great time at the Rock!

[Maverick]

Don't think the Lincoln wants to be sold. I was taking it to get it cleaned up for a car show where I was going to park it with a "For Sale" sign on it. On the way the AC wasn't cold. WXO and I worked on it and found the refrigerant gone. Scheduled an appointment at Pep Boys to have them locate the leak. Before I got out of the neighborhood it was trailing smoke. The transmission cooler line came apart and dumped fluid on the exhaust.

Think I learned why the hose was coming off the 3/8" tubing. The Gates 3/8 Transmission Cooler hose fits quite loosely on the tubing. It actually wiggles a bit on the line. And, it compresses under the clamps after just a few days allowing the hose to slip off the line even with doubled-up, tight EFI clamps.

The lines were all removed and, by BP's excellent suggestion, a small flare was put on all ends. The flaring tool also made some small ridges in the aluminum tube which adds to the grip. After a few days, the clamps were all re-tightened. No way those rascals are coming off now.

Next stop is Pep Boys to find the AC leak.

[Maverick]

Didn't get to Pep Boys to find the leak before they closed. WXO and I have not had much luck charging the Lincoln AC for some reason. In the past, the low side was so hot it was hard to get refrigerant to go in. So, I decided to wait for cool weather to try again. Got at it with the cool weather on Monday. Low side stayed cool this time but the R134a still didn't want to go in?!?!?!?

WXO got on the Internet and learned some key info. We knew the R134a comes in two styles of cans, new and old. In the old style the can tap/adapter punctures the seal on the can nipple. The new style (which we were using) adapter/tap has a pin that opens a Schrader valve in the new style can nipple. Big advantage for new style is the ability to use part of a can and remove the tap/adapter without losing the remaining R134a.

There's an important difference is in the way the tap/adapter is used. With the old style, a pin is screwed down to puncture the seal then the pin is backed off to allow the R134a to exit the can. With the new style the pin is screwed down to open the Schrader valve in the can nipple then NOT backed off. If the new style tap is backed off the Schrader valve closes preventing the R134a to exit the can. We didn't understand this in previous attempts to charge the Lincoln and the lack of understanding was part of the problems we were having charging the AC. With the new understanding and cool weather, the charging went OK.

Picked up this leak detector from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/LotFancy-Refrige ... 201&sr=8-4

It works but we did not find a leak. However, the charged system showed the compressor is working.

The condenser was also functioning great, hot on input and ambient temp on output.

So, even though we didn't find the leak, we learned some important things. We successfully charged the system and proved that the compressor and condenser are good.

[Maverick]

It's time to sell the Lincoln. I'm having some health issues, not driving it, don't really enjoy working on it anymore, and need to clean out my garage/shop. Need to get it cleaned up and take it to some shows, cars & coffees, etc. this spring. If any Tiresmokers are interested, let me know.

It's rust-free, 47,XXX miles, original spare wheel/tire never been on, original exterior, excellent black leather interior. 460/521 big block that's under carbureted with a 750 CFM carb but still does 13.61 in the 1/4. I'll have to make a good list of features.

[Basement Paul]

Sorry to hear about the health problems and the selling of the Lincoln. This is an awesome car and I'd love to have a cruiser like that, but I think my huge car days are over. That sweetheart takes up a TON of real estate. But I believe you won't have too much trouble selling it as clean and cool as it is. Good luck!

-BP

[Maverick]

An enthusiastic potential buyer wanted to see more of the Lincoln so WXO and I made this walk-around video. Great job, Walt!!! Thanks!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnL-fipsK-w

[GMJohnny]

Maverick,

Your Lincoln is well done! Whoever ends up with this car will be getting a project
that was well completed with attention to detail. I’m wondering what methods
you are using to try to sell it.

GM

[Fred32v]

Great presentation, great subject. Ready for FB Marketplace. Good Luck!

[Maverick]

Thanks!! It was great fun making it what suited me with lots of good project time with WXO.

Many months ago I made it known on the Lincoln forum I was thinking about selling. Think I did the same on the local car club. Was planning on putting in some shows with a "For Sale" sign on it since that's worked well for me in the past but with everything happening in our lives in 2020 and 2021, didn't get to it. Then, a Lincoln forum member, with some EXTREMELY nice Lincolns, wanted to know if it was still available. The video sold it.

[ttamrettus]

Maverick,

We wish you all our best on your health and happiness. You guys did a great job on the video. If we can help in anyway please let us know.

Matt & Alex

[Maverick]

Maverick,

We wish you all our best on your health and happiness. You guys did a great job on the video. If we can help in anyway please let us know.

Matt & Alex

Thanks for the good wishes. I expect things to go well once I'm off some of these drugs.

[Maverick]

The buyer on the Lincoln forum arrived Tue AM. We had a briefly spirited test drive and stop at the credit union to get the title notarized and home to peruse all my Lincoln files and the TS.org project thread. Buyer has a COMPLETE history of my time with it. Was fun reminiscing all the challenges and successes for WXO and me. We had good fun!!

Got it loaded, buyer had dinner with us, stayed overnight, and off before we were awake this AM.

I'm so happy to sell to a Lincoln lover and great guy. The Lincoln is being added to an OUTSTANDING collection of Lincolns. He had some drama on the way (currently recovering, more later), but the Lincoln is fine. WXO and I offered to launch a rescue mission but it wasn't needed.

[Basement Paul]

It's great that it went to a good home. Sounds like he'll really appreciate all your efforts.

-BP

[PerryB]

Hello All - I'm Perry Bush, the lucky guy now responsible for this wonderful car. It will be some time before any significant changes are made, if ever, but deciding to keep her story going here. I've read the entire thread a few times now, a couple others as well, and really like what I see! Sharing of input, experience, opinion, recommendations...without some of the nonsense I see too often elsewhere. Congrats and Thanks!

Several years ago we had to start naming the Lincolns (just saying "I'm taking the Lincoln" became confusing when there was finally more than one that was drivable). I'll be calling this one Belle, after the Beauty in the Beauty and the Beast stories.

I don't know when or if I've ever been happier with the entire purchase experience with an old car, and there have been a few. Even with this trip including a car hauler tire blowout on the way home. Starting with the car! A true beauty indeed, better than I expected and Jim already told me I'd be impressed - he was right Sounds sappy, I've been accused before, but I'm genuinely honored to take over. Especially so after spending time directly with Jim. We've been in touch off and on for over a year and I knew he was a good guy and skilled mechanic, but what a host and gentleman also. Walt (WXO), too. Thank you both so much one more time for taking on this project, doing it so well, and documenting it here with all of us. What else could a guy want?! Well, how about a pick-up bed, and then some, full of extra and original parts, maintenance supplies, documentation, some tools, and just general good miscellaneous garage stuff? All in a good and grateful home.

I'm waiting now for the WI DMV to snail mail the new title and plates to me. Until then, keeping the cruising to the neighborhood, but expect to be driving this car often, let's say very nearly daily. Yes, it will be visiting Wisconsin International Raceway about an hour from me as well. I'll be looking for a trailer to carry the light weight jack, drag radials, tools, etc. Can't wait. Jim already added the hitch, good thinking.
I'm already crazy about this car, and looking forward to keeping this thread alive.

Couple fresh pictures from Wisconsin attached. Pleased to be here!

[Maverick]

Hey Perry!!

Welcome to tiresmoke.org! I couldn't be more pleased to sell the Lincoln to you and to have you continue the project thread. Makes me feel like I still have some association with the car. Nice to see her with some siblings. I feel like the father of the bride giving up his baby to a fine husband.

Hope you get to enjoy Belle for many years. I sure enjoyed my time with her.

Jim