Ourobos

Well, I've determined it's my cluster.. The speedometer and gas are the only inaccurate gauges. Odd

Thanks.  Going to throw a gallon of gas in the trunk and ride it past Empty to make sure.  I let it hit Empty once, and it wouldn't start so I assumed the gauge was correct, but going to double check before I drop it.

I ordered a new VSS, will have it this week and let you guys know if that was the problem.  As for the tank, I'm at a loss too.  Is the sending unit inside the tank, on top if it, and do I need to drop the tank to get to it?

Actually, 8 gallons is 30.24 liters.. 1999 is rated at 15.4 gallons, or 58.2 liters.. I'm missing 7 gallons / 28 liters.. Roughly..

Not original owner.  It has the original SVT white rface gauges.  I ran it out of gas, it was out at empty.  But when I fill it up, only holds about 8 gallons and shows 3/4 on the gauge.  Almost like a baffle is in the tank.  Could teh vent plug cause that?  The tank seems undented etc from inspecting it.  I think the gauges are correct (gas anyway).

Any ideas on the 10mph off speedometer, could the VSS be faulty?

I have a 99 SVT Contour.  First, the gas gauge never gets above 3/4 tank, when full.  I think the gauge is correct, because I ran it to Empty, and it wouldn't start back, had to put gas in it to fire it up.  So basically, it will only hold about 8-9 gallons of gas.  The tank underneath is not dented, and looks in proper order.  Anyone know why it wouldn't only hold that much fuel?

Second, my tires are stock size, yet my speedometer is 10mph off, verified with GPS.  I'm turning 3200 rpm at a TRUE 75 MPG.  But my gauge is reading 85 MPH.  Why would it turn higher RPM and false speedo readings with proper size tires? Any way to correct it?

Thanks for any help.

Almost done restoring my 99 SVT, went to put my 4 year old in the center for their first ride in it.. Some dill weed has cut the center seat belt out, lap and should belts.  I need one that'll fit a 99, black/grey preferable, will take anything.  Please let me know what you have.

ourobos@insightbb.com

Wanted to update this.. It was a bad rear strut.  I bought a stock replacement, modified it for the coil overs, all is golden.

Ready to drop this rear suspension, anyone know where to get isolators?

OK thanks.  Any idea where a set of isolators could be found new?

Can anyone tell by my pics (4th one probably), what isolators I need?  Will a stock isolator fit the top of these stock struts that have coil overs on them?

Well paid, $702 today for a battery, alignment, front spindles and bearings installed.. Still have the clunking in the back.  They say my left rear strut needs to be replaced, although it seems to move fine.  Also the spring isolators are bad causing the noise, dunno if the stock isolators would work with these, even if I can find them.

One more.. Do you know if the SVT strut/spring setup is different than the standard contour?

So a stock strut will replace it?  What does it look like, they cut off the spring perches?

Correct.  They said the bushings are shot, nice call.  Wonder if the CSTV / Contour bushings will work on mine, and if anyone sells just those?

Otherwise :

Eliteman - possibly complete rear shocks springs etc.  Apparently my back ARE bad.. Can anyone tell from pic #5 what I have? They say SVT on the stickers, but are coil overs..

Thing is, with the rear coil overs, you can get out of the car and push the left rear side up and down, and it moves as it should, nice and smoothly, but there is an audible 'clunk' every time it comes back up.

Well these clowns don't know what they are talking about. The front strut was as tight as can be. No bounce when you try to bounce the car. The rear moves in and out fine too, not siezed. Some shops / business today don't deserve to be in business. Back to the search.

OK.. Took it to a suspension shop to diagnose it.. Said a rear "parallel arm" on passenger side is bent.. Runs from center over to the wheel. What are they talking about? Is that the rear A-arm? Also had a siezed rear driver side strut in the rear, and loose passenger side strut in the front.. I'll be fixing all those, once I know what a 'parallel arm' is. I assume in my 4th picture, is the bent/arced piece towards the top. Ideas?

Once I fix it, they can do a 4 wheel alignment.

Thanks guys,will check the coilovers and rear struts ASAP, along with swaybar mounts more closely.

Will update.

I have a 1999 Contour SVT. Just got it up and running like a top, alot thanks to you guys. I have a few more things to do before I put it back on the road. The main thing now is the noise it makes from somewhere in the rear of the car. Any small bump, even just driving it around my hard, makes a bunch of noice, clunking sort of. Almost sounds like the struts bottoming out? I did notice this has rear coil overs, is that factory? I check all the bushings I could find, all seemed OK by looking at them, even greased everything up that I could, to no avail.. What is a common item to fail on these, or what specifically can I check to resolve this. I am going to post some pics, point out to me what you're talking about, as I'm used to looking at Mustang 4 link suspension, and all this 'trailing arm' etc is new stuff to me.

Thanks!

Spark, fuel, and proper timing/compression is what an engine needs to run.. That being said, if you've checked those, mine did something similiar, cranked and cranked but wouldn't fire.. My battery was weak. New battery and it got enough spark to fire right up. You should have at least 12.7 volts on your battery at rest.

Well, the SVT was gone, but I did score the leftover bumper and headlights cheap enough.. And some 81 Mustang Recaro seats to recoupe the cost of my Contour parts.. LOL

Head to pull a part in Nashville TN tomorrow for a front bumper, header panel, headlights, and misc. stuff. There's a 99 SVT down there, I'll snap some pics if anyone needs anything, maybe save some cash. The bumper cover is costing me a measly $75 :)

Well, picked it up from the shop today with good news.. The previous owner had put new coil packs, plugs and wires on it. I had pulled a plug to check gap, which was correct.. Shoulda checked the rest of his work.. Had two coil pack wires that weren't getting good connection, and two plug wires crossed.. It had basically been running on 3 cylinders.. Man, it feel like it has 100 more hp. Now to get to the suspension, body work, paint, and small misc. stuff. Thanks for the help guys.

Taking it to a shop next week.. I'm out of ideas. Will follow up.