[429tbird]

Have an '85 crown vic police car w 302. Need any info regarding this year Police car.

 

[Two Trick Vics]

Here's the scoope on the 1985 CV

429tbird....Your 1985 CV (Police Package) 5.0/302 CFI .Not EFI Motor is rated at 140 HP...This is 40 HP less than the optional 351W with the 7200VV Carb for your year model. The 1985 model CV in combined Powerplant sales was the leading Police Vehicle in sales for that year....This was during a time when the Baby LTD with the 5.0 HO was available too....That particular car was popular for its wieght vs.HP ratio..it was rated at 165HP. Your car with the 5.0 CFI as tested was rated at 140 HP...the car came with a 3.55 Rear End....Its Michigan State Police test wieght was 4,182 Lbs.......Wheel Base 114.3 inches.......Top Speed was 104.4 (not impressive vs. other makes)....1/4 Mile Times 19.53 Seconds (Yuck)........Speed in the 1/4 Mile 71.00 MPH (Poor against the other makes).....Braking Tests were not Available.......0-100 MPH was 59.14 seconds(Terrinble vs. the other makes and models.....EPA Rating was 15.6 MPG(Very respectable vs. the others)......Your car in it's Factory configuration may not be a Horsepower Monster but it is a well styled and good handling vehicle....If you want more out of it in the Horsepower issue ?.....You will have to ditch the CFI in favor of EFI or a Carb....Transplanting a newer 5.0 at 160 HP or a 5.8L(351W w/carb) Should not be difficult.....But then again a couple of grand plunked into your current Motor would do wonders.....It's all a matter of what you are trying to do?.....Best of Luck........Allen

 

[429tbird]

Thanks! Need specifics about engine.

Allen,

Thanks for the info. It was all very useful. As it stands right now, the car is being used as a donor for the engine and trans in my '67 Mustang Coupe. The engine will get a .040 overbore ( I have a brand new set of pistons that came with the Stang), a set of '70 DOOE 302 heads ported/polished, shaved with 1.96/1.60 valves. A mean a#% Crane Cams hydraulic cam. Performer RPM intake and 600 Holley.

The big question about the Police engine, does it have anything like beefier rods or better crank? Anything of that nature would be appreciated.

Anything about the strange overdrive trannythats in it. It has a kickdown rod instead of a TV cable. It is an AOD, looks to be original also. Is it beefed up or do I need to put some strength behind it?

Thanks again,
Brant Mason

 

[Two Trick Vics]

Sorry Buddy!!

Sorry Brant....The Motor is absolutely nothing Special...Those Engines being Special or Tricked Out from the Factory ended in the Early 70's.....You have got a lot of work and money to spend to build that 140 HP Boat Anchor......My 351W was only rated at 180HP...and it can't get out of it's own way!!!....I have a spare Motor I'm building,,,,Go to the P71 and P72 Threads to see what I'm doing to get some Pop out of it. The AOD Tranny is another Weak Link....I would suggest building that up with a minimum of a Shift Kit....or maybe a Lentech Valve Body.....A higher stall Torque converter certainly won't hurt........The AOD was never designed for a 4 BBL Carb....You will need an aftermarket Linkage from Summit to make this work.....The Adjustments have to be perfect as well....or you will Cook the Tranny in short order..........Sorry I can't offer a more glowing scenario.....But I have been down this Road before....Allen