Lincoln Mark V Tech & Restoration Guides
Practical, owner-tested technical guides for keeping your 1977–1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V running and looking its best. From sourcing correct white wall tires to fixing the seat belt warning chime, these articles share real restoration experience for the Mark V's 400 and 460 V8 platforms.
What White Wall Tires Fit a Classic Lincoln Mark V?
(Figure A: Firestone FR380, Cooper Trendsetter, Mastercraft A/S IV)
This section discusses the challenge of finding quality white wall tires for classic Lincolns, such as the 1979 Lincoln Mark V. The author shares their personal experience discovering outdated Michelins and explores modern alternatives, including:
Firestone FR380 – Best overall quality and warranty.
Cooper Trendsetter – Budget-friendly with decent appearance.
Mastercraft A/S IV – Mid-range option with moderate durability.
How to Restore the Seat Belt Chime on a 1978–79 Lincoln
(Figure B: Chime Unit and Tomboli Mechanism)
The next section explains how to troubleshoot and repair the optional seat belt chime in the 1978-79 Lincoln models, especially the Diamond Jubilee editions. The seat belt chime works like an old-fashioned doorbell, operated by a “tomboli” hitting a tone bar. Over time, rust and moisture can freeze the tomboli in place.
Steps for restoration include:
Accessing the unit behind the glove box.
Remove the glued lid carefully.
Sanding and freeing the tomboli (see Figure B).
Replacing the felt damper and addressing ground issues at the seatbelt retractor.
