1974 Mark IV Stored For 15 Years New Owner Questions and Updates

Hi Mr. Bill,
Thank you for taking the time to read this. My husband just bought me a 74 Mark IV to restore, enjoy, and show (love old cars). I’ve never really dealt with ford besides my Galaxy 500 Convertible. Anyway, this car was 1 owner and has been sitting in the garage for at least 15 yrs (still has 230-15 tires that look new…lol). It is all original and it is going to stay that way (I’m a purist). My question is, can it, or should it be started after sitting so long? We did bust it off for a few seconds with carb cleaner, and she did come to life (major exhaust leak). I will be putting Marvel Mystery Oil into the spark plug holes and the upper heads (will remove valve covers). Is this OK (it was running when parked)? Oil is still clean and full, trans fluid is still cherry red, antifreeze still looks and smells like antifreeze.
Thanks again,
Jeannette
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Hi Jeannette –
Welcome to Lincoln Land with your New Mark IV. Fifteen years is a long time for an automobile to sit unused or started but your email indicates some very good points. The fact that the engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant are clean suggests that these fluids may have been changed before storage. The other procedures that you are planning to do sure can’t hurt either. To answer your question, yes of course it should be started after sitting so long. I would remove all of the old fuel from the gas tank first though and replace it with new clean fuel. The old fuel should be inspected for signs of rust and corrosion which could mean a rusted gas tank. The brake fluid should also be checked for proper level in the master brake cylinder and the brakes should be operated and checked for good operation. An exhaust leak as loud as you describe should be repaired as soon as possible as this noise makes it difficult to concentrate on any restoration when the engine needs to be running.
When you do get it running and are test driving this Mark, be prepared to find more issues at any time such as tires that are rotted, any rubber coolant hoses and vacuum lines that are leaking etc. These types of things could very likely appear at any time. The a/c should be turned on by an a/c technician for the first time. It will probably have lost its refrigerant charge after all of these dormant years.
Good luck to you with your project and we do hope that you will be enjoying this Mark IV real soon. When you can, please send us some photos.
Sincerely,
Bill
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Bill –
Thank you so much for your response!! I have drained all the gas from the tank (it was redish brown, consistency of brake fluid, and stunk like i have never experienced….lol). I did bust her off a few times with carb cleaner after getting her home(headlight covers came down, so excited about that). I have a new fuel filter installed and I am waiting on a new fuel pump(i work on older outboards and always replace the fuel pump and filter first). Before actually test driving her, I plan on replacing all hoses and belts, replacing wheel cylinders(possibly calibers as well), and getting 5 new tires(always need a good spare). I was worried about firing it up(for real) the first time, but, you have lessened my fears on doing damage. I plan on changing the oil, antifreeze, and purging the brake system as well (auto trans I don’t like to break open at all unless 100% necessary). My husband is kind of irritated because I am a purist and will be keeping the points, rear drum brakes (I actually like drums), original radio with 8 track (will be sending it to be restored to working order), original tire size and brand (Michelin with white walls…lol), and I found a guy with a few cans of R12 he will sell me in case I need it (don’t want to convert to 134A if I don’t have to because of the whole keeping it original plan).
I’m attaching a few pics (the back of the hood is dirty because i couldn’t reach it while it was still on the trailer…lol)
Again, thank you for giving me hope that she will breath fire again safely 🙂
Jeannette
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Hi Jeannette –
Thank you for the pictures. Those 1974 Marks are real head turners. They are very luxurious cars and can be a pleasure to own and drive when they are brought back to life.
It appears from your post that you have a well thought out plan for the start of the restoration. We at Lincoln Land look forward to supplying you with some of the parts that you will need. Again, we wish you the best of luck with the project.
Sincerely,
Bill
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Hi Again Bill,
Well, she breaths fire and everything except the heat/ac and the radio. I am planning on sending the original radio out to be restored so no problem there. My question is, how to i fix the heat/ac? The compressor comes on when set for ac, but, the blower motor does nothing. Any input on how to fix this would be appreciated! To keep you updated, the exhaust is off at the manifolds(replacing flange ends and donuts as the manifolds are still perfect) and she is on blocks so i can replace the tires and work on the brakes.
Thanks so much for everything!!
Jeannette
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Jeannette –
I would begin at the blower motor wiring. With your shop manual, test for power at the blower motor feed with the system turned on. If there is power and no action, the blower motor could be bad or seized and would need replacing. If there is no power at this time you would need to use the 1974 wiring diagram in the shop manual to trace the circuit electrically to find the fault or faults. The correct shop manual also explains the automatic control operation for the 1974 Mark IV.
If you scroll down in “Bill’s Corner” to August 24 2020, you can read the blower motor problem, diagnosis and repair on that gentleman’s 1975 Mark IV.
Sincerely,
Bill