Buying an EA-ED Information!!

[snypereb]

All the info you need when buying anything EA-EB!!!!

THE GOOD BITS

The base model was the GL. Above it was the S, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia, with the Fairlane and LTD topping the tree. Of course the further up the ladder you cliimbed the more standard equipment you recieved- electric windows, rear seat head rests, better sound, better trim, air-con and semi electir instruments in the Ghia.
The EA falcon had a 60/40 split fold rear seat and a big boot which makes for easy carrying of sufboards, snowboards etc. One minor problem was the spare under the boot floor; older falcons had there spare mounted upright making it easier to get to when your road tripping and you get a puncture.
All through the EB-EB series, ford inproved the quality and safety and it all coming to a peak in the ED. Most of the improvments couldnt be seen such as better welds, a stiffer body shell with foam filled pillars and much higher build quality. Better seats belts and safety options like ABS too.
ENGINE/MECHANICAL
The base falcon GL carried a 90kw 3.2L 6 with single point injection. A bigger 3.9L was next up the ladder it had a more respectable 120kw but the only one worth owning was the 3.9L multi point.
The manual was a T5 five speed and the auto a three speed that sucked the life out of the new OHC engine. The four speed auto should have been released in the EA in 1988, but buyers had to wait 18 months until EA2 for its debut.
The diff swung from a watts link and coil springs. All new front suspension used a long spindle on upper and lower control arms and rack and pinion steering. It should have been sensational but wasnt.
In mid 1991 with the EB update model, a V8 option was re-introduced. The new engine was an EFI 5.0L Windsor imported from the US where it was used in the mustang at 165kw like the sixes by then it had a four speed auto or a 5 speed manual gearbox behind it.
Later with the EB2 update in 1992 the XR6 and XR8 models were released. The XR8 was an S model fitted with the 165kw V8. The XR6 was more significant as it was a tweaked version of the better multi point injected 4.0L. On top of the 4.0L better engine internals the XR6 had an inhanced head, cam and management system to deliver 161kw versus the 4.0L 149kw. It really made a difference the XR6 was even quicker than the XR8. Both XRs were produced by tickford with lower stiffer suspension for better handling ad the availibility of ABS inthe EB2.

THE BAD BITS
Never by the first of a new model. The EA was the best example for that!! The problems included non existant dampers, out of whack front suspension, droopy steering colomns, unreliable EFI and crook paint. Ripples in doors are a big problem two vertical creases below the door handles and blochy black plastic the faded very quick. Later models had better stamped door skins and quality door handles. There is even a rumour that ford fitted special tyres on the EA falcon the prevent it pulling to the left when new! The EA was designed with no adjustment in the front end and it took a while for the shim adjustable suspension to arrive to fix the pull.
The sixes are very abuse tolerant, but valve gear can suffer. The EAs old 3 speed is a dog. So in othe rwords dont by the EA sorry all EA owners who read this.
Fords have very durable cloth trim but steering wheels car look shabby and shiny after years of rubbing. Leather can crack and abrade if it isnt fed annually. Windscreen leaks and other niggling problems are rare, except on ex taxi's that have a squillion k's. Kepp in mind that uncaring owners have untidy cars and its difficult to hide years of abuse.

WHAT DO YOU PAY

Forget everything but a 93-94 ED from this group maybe and EB2 at a pinch and e prepared to pay around 4k for a good one. If you want a nice, low kay. XR6 or XR8 expect to spend 6-8k. Run a mile from any thing ex taxi on LPG or less than 3k. Unless its your pops car and he has had it since new its not worth being a tight a##e for!!!!

Hope this helps anyone on here looking at buying anything EA-ED.

SnyperEB