Getting Ready for the Road

[crownvic97]

I have finally decided to turn my attention to my new to me Marauder and get it ready for the road. 2003 with 150,000 miles.

So far I have:
6 qts of 5w20 Mobile One synthetic oil.
Motorcraft FL820S filter.
8 NGK TR6 spark plugs (1 step colder because I will have a tune shortly).
U-Haul trans pan with Motorcraft FT105 filter.
5 qts of Motorcraft Mercon V.
2 qts of Valvoline Synpower 75w140 gear oil.
RTV black gasket maker.
Motorcraft FG986B fuel filter.

I think that will take care of the basics and ensure that the car is running optimally.

Anybody have suggestions for other items to replace or advice in general?

[Zack]

You forgot the friction modifier for the rear end. And TR6 plugs are for supercharged cars.

[crownvic97]

You forgot the friction modifier for the rear end. And TR6 plugs are for supercharged cars.

I was under the assumption that the synthetic valvoline had FM already added.

Good to know on the plugs as well, thanks.

[crownvic97]

I will swap the plugs for TR55, which are stock heat range. For some reason I thought one range colder was fine N/A with a tune.

[Zack]

You may be able to use them, but the out of box gap is .03x
I'd get a plug that is closer to the .05x you need

[crownvic97]

The Valovoline Synpower does in fact include friction modifier, so I am set there as well.



Valvoline SynPower Gear Oil is recommended for use in axle applications requiring factory-fill or drain-and-fill levels of limited slip performance. Valvoline SynPower 75W-140 is also recommended for use where Ford M2C-192A, GM 12346140, Chrysler MS-8985 , or GL-5 SAE 75W-140 gear oil is specified. The addition of a supplemental friction modifier(Ford M2C-118-A, Chrysler MS-5630, or GM 1052358) is not required.

[fastblackmerc]

I have finally decided to turn my attention to my new to me Marauder and get it ready for the road. 2003 with 150,000 miles.

So far I have:
6 qts of 5w20 Mobile One synthetic oil.
Motorcraft FL820S filter.
8 NGK TR6 spark plugs (1 step colder because I will have a tune shortly).
U-Haul trans pan with Motorcraft FT105 filter.
5 qts of Motorcraft Mercon V.
2 qts of Valvoline Synpower 75w140 gear oil.
RTV black gasket maker.
Motorcraft FG986B fuel filter.

I think that will take care of the basics and ensure that the car is running optimally.

Anybody have suggestions for other items to replace or advice in general?

Most full synthetic rear end fluid already has friction modifier in it.

You can use TR6 plugs with or without a tune. A tune will take advantage of the colder heat range - colder heat range = more timing = more power. I've been running TR6's for years and I have a tune.

Make sure you gap the plugs before installing.... never ever trust that they have the correct gap out of the box. Change plugs when engine is cold, Blow out any stuff in the plug wells, use small amount of anti seize and use torque wrench to tighten. Use a small dab of dielectric grease on the COP.

Get a Motorcraft – FG800A fuel filter, it's larger than stock, use hose clamp to secure it to stock bracket after bending the bracket.

You also might need NAPA - FILNCK11 – qty. 10 fuel filter clips as the filter you buy will have clips but probably won't fit.

[crownvic97]

Thanks for the replies, I plan to get all of this done on Sunday, I will report the results. I will possibly register the car on Monday if I can get this all done and do a quick inspection of the car.

[slickster]

Front inner tires? Sometimes replacing the tranny filter after so long is not good. I seen a older Vic tranny take a crap 100niles after full tranny service

[FordNut]

Sometimes replacing the tranny filter after so long is not good. I seen a older Vic tranny take a crap 100niles after full tranny service

Wife's 260k mile MM never leaked a drop from the transmission until I had it serviced. Now the front seal leaks.

[crownvic97]

If I change the fluid and the filter and the tranny fails then the tranny was trashed already. It's not the new filter or fluid to blame.

I'll be getting an alignment once the car is registered as well, the tires are new all around so I don't want to have uneven wear.

[crownvic97]

Got the plugs, fuel filter, and oil changed today. Tomorrow I plan on doing trans and rear end. I can't believe how easy the plugs are to change in these cars!

[Turbov6Bryan]

Since you'll have the trans merc 5 fluid out, turkey baster the power steering fluid and do it too

Flush the brake fluid please, most over looked fluid ever

[crownvic97]

Since you'll have the trans merc 5 fluid out, turkey baster the power steering fluid and do it too

Flush the brake fluid please, most over looked fluid ever
Good idea, thank you

[daddyusmaximus]

Got the plugs, fuel filter, and oil changed today. Tomorrow I plan on doing trans and rear end. I can't believe how easy the plugs are to change in these cars!

Nice to know... :banana2:

[slickster]

Rear head cooling mod. Metal timing guides. Coolant flush. T stat. Water pump. Burp. Ss break lines

[babbage]

Coolant, T-stat, and new Water pump (cheap) should be on your list, if you don't know how old the coolant is.

[crownvic97]

Got everything done today and got the car registered. Put about 100 miles on it and it seems to run excellent. I am very happy with it!

Next on the list is the rear cooling mod along with a flush of the cooling system.

Also, the brakes don't quite feel right so I need to investigate that a little bit.

[crownvic97]

Every thread needs some pics so here we go!

Old plugs and fuel filter:http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Markd20000/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160424_113410_zpsfbcgbber.jp g (http://s668.photobucket.com/user/Markd20000/media/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160424_113410_zpsfbcgbber.jp g.html)

The original pan which apparently had never been dropped before.http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Markd20000/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160425_123435_zpsaqgmi7t4.jp g (http://s668.photobucket.com/user/Markd20000/media/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160425_123435_zpsaqgmi7t4.jp g.html)

U-Haul pan installed, I replaced the filter too obviously.http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Markd20000/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160425_123515_zpsapovlomk.jp g (http://s668.photobucket.com/user/Markd20000/media/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160425_123515_zpsapovlomk.jp g.html)

Checked the air in the tires and gave her a full tank of 93. Had a lot of fun driving last night!
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Markd20000/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160425_184523_zpsyrbescyy.jp g (http://s668.photobucket.com/user/Markd20000/media/2003%20Mercury%20Marauder/20160425_184523_zpsyrbescyy.jp g.html)

[babbage]

Nice pics. Fuel filter looked nasty old! - Good job!

[crownvic97]

Nice pics. Fuel filter looked nasty old! - Good job!

Thank you! I'm happy to have it done!