Need 89 Towncar 5.0 info

JEC · Sep 8, 2004

I got a free complete '89 Towncar 5.0 for my low-budget RX-7 V8 swap. I'm gathering information about just how many things I'm going to have to change to make some real power. I've been using the Search button both here and in the Lincoln forum (man those lowrider guys do some far-out things) and not finding much specific motor info.

I'm already planning a low-profile intake and carb for hood-clearance and cost issues, and my lofty goal is 300 rwhp.

1) How are the TC heads? Should I write them off and plan HO or aftermarket, or are they workable?

2) What compression did this motor have?

I3) I'm guessing the bottom end should be plenty stout?

Thanks in advance guys!

Mustang5L5 · Sep 8, 2004

The bottom end should be typical 302-spec, but the top end leaves a lot to be desired.

This motor is not a HO motor. It's a 150HP motor.

The heads are '86 heads, the cam is a nono-HO roller cam (using different firing order) and the intake is the smaller restrictive '86 style upper intake and smaller TB and 14# injectors

Since you are going carb, you will be replacing the intake. Make sure you get a performance canshaft. All that's left is the heads. E6 heads suck. At least look into finding a set of E7 heads, but try to get some GT-40, gt-40P's or better heads.

Stats on the TC motor
Compression is 8.9:1
HP 150 @ 3200 (160 @ 3400 with dual exhaust option)
Torque 270 @ 2000 (280 @ 2200 with dual exhaust option)

JEC · Sep 8, 2004

Much thanks Mike!

You have a very strange handle. Please tell me that's not one of your cars.

OK - heads and cam are must-haves. Check. My budget hurts...

Cams: will most any high-perf aftermarket cam have the HO firing order?

Mustang5L5 · Sep 8, 2004

JEC said:
Much thanks Mike!

You have a very strange handle. Please tell me that's not one of your cars.

OK - heads and cam are must-haves. Check. My budget hurts...

Cams: will most any high-perf aftermarket cam have the HO firing order?

Haha, that Custom Title is referring to a Lincoln Mark 8 i sold at the beginning of this summer and made a little Internet History. Click on the title. It's a hyperlink and will take you to a thread that explains it all.

As for cams. Any Hi-po Mustang 302 cam is the HO firing order. Only the passenger cars use the non-HO firing order. Just remember when you slap the cam in you'll have to change the plug wires on the distributor to the new firing order which is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

Here's a good page to read. SInce you are going carb, this won't apply to you for a HO conversion, but it will show you the differences between the HO and non-HO motor.

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/ho_swap.html
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/ho_conversion.html
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article65.html
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article66.html

EDIT: The TC motor has flat top pistons. This may pose a problem when it comes to cam and head selection.

JEC · Sep 8, 2004

Your custom title link expired, the thread probably got archived.

Thanks for the link, that's a well-written tech article.

5.0fox · Sep 8, 2004

thats gonna be a sweet swap. i kid i go to school with has an rx7 with and edelbrock 350 crate motor. its the 425 horse version and it hauls a$$. the only way to tell theres a v8 in it is the hole in the hood he had to cut for the air filter.

battyice · Sep 9, 2004

Get a set of GT 40 heads and a more aggresive cam and you'll be in business. I would recommend getting a duraspark distributor from an early 80's 302 to simplify your engine swap.

Spend some time on ebaymotors and you should be able to collect the necessary parts without killing your checkbook.

By sticking with a mild engine combo you'll have very streetable motor that will likely last a long time, plus your power to weight ratio will still be favorable considering you're using an RX-7 body.

What do you plan to use for a transmission in the rX?

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 9, 2004

Keep in mind....the town car uses dished cast aluminum pistons as well. Not forged or even hypereutectic. So remember that when horsepower and cam selection is considered.

JEC · Sep 10, 2004

battyice: I plan to scrounge up a T-5, I like shifting - especially in a light handling-oriented car.

Gearbanger and battyice: In one of the articles at lincolnsonline.com that Mike linked, they state the TC flat-top pistons won't work with GT40, GT40P, or most any aftermarket heads made for the HO - but that HO heads are great. Now I'm tempted to find an HO motor for a starting point and pawn off the TC lump... wait a minute I'm still broke.

Oh, and looking at the odd intake design that won't fit under the hood (no holes = sleeper...) anyway I am gathering data for a custom fabbed fuel-injection upper intake, with possibly a dual-plenum/dual-throttle-body setup. It's nice to not be constrained by money I don't have, eh? I'll keep you guys posted.

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 10, 2004

Actually, if you wanted to use them, the E7TE heads (stock HO) and GT-40's will both work as long as you stick with a stock HO cam. It brings the P/V clearance down, but guys with '86 GT's have been doing it with positive results and they've got flat tops with no valve reliefs.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 10, 2004

JEC said:
Gearbanger and battyice: In one of the articles at lincolnsonline.com that Mike linked, they state the TC flat-top pistons won't work with GT40, GT40P, or most any aftermarket heads made for the HO - but that HO heads are great. Now I'm tempted to find an HO motor for a starting point and pawn off the TC lump... wait a minute I'm still broke.

Sell the TC motor and pick up a Lincoln Mark 7 HO motor for $200 bucks or so from a junkyard.

Then cheap rebuild, get a cam, port the E7's and lower intake and get maybe 250-275HP out of it and put it into a light ass RX-7

there's your CHEAP

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