All I know is the guy whom owned the Villager told my husband and I, that someone who changed the oil in it talked his wife into letting them put some kind of engine oil additive and this is what it done to it. They bought the Villager new back in 1999, so it's only had one owner. The guys wife drove it the most, and she said it wouldn't even climb a hill. Well duh, no damn wonder. If my lungs looked like this I wouldn't climb a hill either. lol Needless to say she was rescued, fixed, and is in a good home where she'll be taken care of.
I've even named her as I have all my vehicles. Her name is Daisy. Maybe I'm silly, but I believe these vehicles have their own personalities.
My husband grew up working on Fords and Mercury's. He said he'd never seen one that gunked up in his whole life. He spent many nights out here in his shop cleaning it thoroughly. I'll check into what you suggested in your PM. Thanks!
Kat