94 Town Car - need Advice - CAT (CA) CONVERTER and AIR SUSPENSION.

[chelsea]

Hello,
I am Chelsea and happy to find this forum.
I would be grateful for advice in any way including finding parts, with two problems.
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I bought this car a year ago. The engine is running just fine. It passed inspection.
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1994 Lincoln Town Car Executive
Sedan 4-Door
4.6L 281Cu. In. V8
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First, I need a CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DRIVERS SIDE LEFT.
PROBLEM --- Dealer said....
YOUR VEHICLE HAS CALIFORNIA EMMISIONS
ORIGINAL PART NUMBER IS F4AZ-5E212-C
PART IS NO LONGER SERVICE BY LINCOLN
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My mechanic's work and prices are excellent, however he will not weld or customize parts.
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Can I find a DIRECT FIT CAT that needs no customizing, for this car?
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Second, recently
CHECK AIR SUSPENSION - light is ON.
I tried the ON/OFF switch,
turn key to ON - but do not start car - press on back bumper and listen for noise.
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Someone told me that air bags for suspension can be replaced with springs. Is this true?
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I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you so much.
Chelsea

 

[Town]

You can find new parts here: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php and lookup Lincoln Town Car 1994 exhaust and you will find: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1528666&cc=1188862 amongst 10 or so converters for around $130. On the CATCO info page there is an emissions standards explained link that implies your 1994 car will OK since it is pre 2009. However, I am not familiar with US emissions laws.

Wimpy posted a way to find used parts here: www.car-parts.com and enter vehicle details ........

Regarding your air suspension detecting a problem, you can either diagnose it (I would help you with that) or you can convert to coil spring suspension. You will need to keep the air suspension module turned on to ensure the speed sensitive (EVO) steering continues to be effective (else you will have very light steering at highway speeds). The coil conversion is sold as a kit by most of the air suspension component replacement companies. I think some will offer a simple bypass for the air suspension error message on your year of Town Car (I think the wire to the dash display is cut).

Here are some air suspension companies:

http://www.strutmasters.com/Lincoln-Suspension-Parts-s/1.htm
http://www.americanairsuspension.com/
https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_LINCOLN_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid2.html

There are lots more.

Good luck.

 

[chelsea]

Town,

Thank you so much for ALL the information you gave me on the CAT and Suspension. I am going to start looking into it right now.

I appreciate your help !

Chelsea

 

[All2kool]

Town,

Thank you so much for ALL the information you gave me on the CAT and Suspension. I am going to start looking into it right now.

I appreciate your help !

Chelsea

Regarding the Air Suspension, check to make sure that it is still equipped with Air Springs. Look under the car at the rear axle, if you see black colored Air Springs, your problem is somewhere else. If you see Coil Springs, then your vehicle has been converted and the Check Air Suspension light has not yet been disabled. If you do intend to convert to Variable Rate Coil Springs, a 'kit' is not needed, just buy Coil Springs for a1993 Lincoln Town Car. A guide to conversion (and disabling of the Check Air Suspension light) may be located HERE.

And regarding the Catalytic Converter, a wide range of bolt-on options are available with pricing as low as $100.