91' LeSabre needing some TLC

[Loekee75]

We just got a 91' LeSabre for my mom to drive around town (after months of her borrowing my Park Ave, I finally got it back!) The car has a ton of miles (roughly 198k) but it has one issue that I'm sure a tune-up will help clear up, but I just wanted to get some more input
At idle (park), and in reverse, there is a noticable misfire. However, once put into drive, it runs smooth as silk! I'm thinking new plugs/ wires, fuel and air filters, pcv valve, oil/ tranny fluid change should help solve this. If the problem persists, I assumed that an extremely worn timing set could be the cuprit? I don't have a MIL coming up, but I also haven't scanned for codes, either. Also, there is an annoying "clunk" that comes from the front end..I know nothing about suspensions, does a clunk sound like worn shocks? It is VERY lound and is pretty much ongoing as long as the car is moving over 30 mph. It handles well and all...perhaps the universal joints? Or maybe lack of lube through years of abuse? Oh well, for 900 bucks, one can't expect all that much
Thanks in advance for any help/ input!

[yogi_123rd]

Since the ignition system consists of plugs, wires and the electron control module (which usally fails when bad), your skip is either the plugs or wires. If it's a wire, they tend to skip at high speed so I really think it's time to change the plugs on your car.

The clunk you are hearing - it could be a CV joint or a simple sway bar anchor that came loose. A bad CV joint will "clicking at the wheels" when tight turn at slow speed. It can also be the CV joint if you are initially starting out and it clunks. An unanchored sway bar will clunk when you are taking a turn at speed and the car will tend to "drift". You can inspect for this by simply removing the wheel.

Not to scare you, but the achilles heel of this car is the underside. The brake and the fuel lines tend to rust out after 12 years and usually the only solution is to replace them all. (big bucks).

If you notice the clunk when turning at speed, then sway bar. If you hear a clicking noise

[Loekee75]

Thanks! The car doesn't make the famous cv joint click you mentioned..just the clunk..and the noise mostly comes while driving straight down the road. No apparent noise during turns..I'll investigate further and post back with my findings.