1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 from North America - Comments

When I was sixteen I had to replace the alternator as soon as the car got running.

When I was 18 I had to replace the distributor gear... it just sheared I still have yet to explain that one.

Shortly before I joined the Marines I bought a rebuilt block and rebuilt the motor because the front and rear mail seals were completely gone, oil spills everywhere I went.

My name is Randy Martin, I am currently 21 yrs old (in 2006) and I started working on my first car when I was 14, and to me it will always be my favorite car. It is a 1978 mercury cougar XR-7. Now granted when I did some reading up on the XR-7 I found out that these models where to be the luxury edition of the cougar. Mine however is not. I do have a 351W with the stock c-5 transmission. I am currently trying to find a suitable donor car that has functional fusebox with power applications and doors with power locks and windows, as well as power seats. Please let me know if you can help me via email. microtek_man@hotmail.com

Now that that is out of the way I must say that the car is quick (not as quick as my stang) but its ate up a few civics and hondas in town.

I really do love this car matter of fact that is why I want to restore it to its former beauty. My parents say the car isn't worth it, but its my first car and I still drive it.

If anybody has any advise about this car I would greatly appreciat it. My grandfather is giving me his 1978 xr-7 mercury couger with the c-6 and a bb400 I'm not educated about these cars at all, however I'm at the age of 18 (2006) and done about three personal frame off restoration's on a 1971 elcomino,1977 Chevy 3/4 ton truck (stll in the works) and now I'm working on a really rough 1970 comaro ss. So as you can see I'm not new to the restoration scene.I'm just asking what kind of quarks (problems) these cars had.

You can't go wrong with the C6, but the 400 was the worse engine in these cougars. The 351/400M have what I call a "bread pan" manifold gasket. Both motors, but especially the 400 tend to suck the gasket out of position resulting high oil consumption.

Also, the 2bbl carb is too small to properly feed this beast. The two cylinders closest to the firewall end up running too lean (and too hot). Expect to replace these spark plugs often.

I'd first check that it really is the 400. If it is the VIN code will contain an "S", if it's an "H", you have the 351M. Both motors are identical in appearance. Only the crank shaft and connecting rods are different.

I feel the same as you do my first car is also a mercury cougar my mom says it's a piece of you know what and she says it doesn't work, but it runs great just needs some maintenance because it was standing somewhere here in Monterrey for too much time with not a bit of love from its former owner until I found it very nice car a 351 W ready to humiliate ricers.

I am in the same situation as the guy before me. My car is a 1978 Mercury Cougar Xr7.351w. My parents both told me it was a POS, but I saw potential in her, and by the way her name is Sheikra. I got her for a g, but think that it happened to be a little overpriced, but the guy just would not budge with the price, so I bought it with my graduation money, and have been pouring money into it ever since.

I do have some questions about this particular car: What are some of the most common engine problems; how much mpg does it get; what kind of carb rebuild would I need for the Edelbrock thunder series carb do I need; and finally, does anyone have any thoughts on my fuel gauge not reading the fuel level, could it be the float or the wiring?

If you have any ideas send an email to Coltonbyrnes@hotmail.com, thank you.