Pony died?

[drizztkun]

Hi all been a while i didnt drop in here, like noted before things are dying here... talking about dying i think my stang heart is just about dead. i think either a piston/rod or a valve just died on me.

I had start hearing weird noise when at high rpm on first and 2nd gear when shifting, i thought it weird. Last night i pushed the car a little hard cuz i wanted to show a co-worker is maxima couldnt keep up, but my car couldnt get any speed... i usually can get to 180 on 3rd gear and i had hard time getting it to 160 this time (yes it was done on a track ) anyway when i got around home at a light i started hearing a big clacking noise. no noise tho in 3/4/5 gear.... so dunno i guess i'll need to get it check but doesnt look good... im up to 179000 miles on it (close to 300 000km i guess)

With no money since i bought a house i dunno what i'll do.
a) drop another engine in, but not sure how good the tranny still is (manual) and i know my suspension is dying
b)trying to make a big loan pay back c/c and other little things i got on credit and get an 03?
c) with the price of gas, try to get whatever i can for this one and get something really cheap like an accent or whatver....

Not a good day. to top it all off i got a kick ass tooth ache that just wont go away. i guess i'll need a dentist. but same prob no money awww isnt life wonderful

 

[drizztkun]

or just fill the oil and hear the clacking go away :-S

 

[Gearbanger 101]

So....you've got a car with possibly a bad engine, a trans you're unsure of and a suspension that's on it's way out? Why are you even considering keeping the thing. Dump it and pay off your bills and start over again later on down the road.

 

[drizztkun]

Meh dunno. we'll see i guess

 

[drizztkun]

Seems it's a lifter or something that's knocking... somehow my oil was almost empty, refilled it, put some wynn stuff that's suposed to clean and help reduce the noise. now i only hear some knocking when i am above 3000rpm in 1and 2nd gear... bleh

 

[drizztkun]

on 4.6 tech they seem to believe it's a rod bearing, anyone ever repaired that here?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

on 4.6 tech they seem to believe it's a rod bearing, anyone ever repaired that here?

It's not overly expensive (compared to an OHV), but it's a lot of work. The engine has to come out obviously. You can get to it without pulling the heads off(which is a plus). You'll have to remove the valve and timing covers as well as the oil pan to remove the timing chain. From there, remove the crank shaft and pull the rod/piston out the bottom of the block. If the crank is scored, you might need to have it turned and oversized bearings will need to be installed. If it's scored too badly, you'll need to have it replaced. That being said, since you're doing one anyway, you might as well do them all. Depending on the condition of your cylinders (which is usually outstanding on these engines) and with the high mileage on your engine, you might want to consider "re-ring" you pistons as well....but that's a little more involved.

If this seems over your head, start saving now for a replacement engine. They can be had for the neighbourhood of $400-$1,500 at any wrecker (depending on the year and mileage)...which may be worth it to you if diving into the SOHC intimidates you to any great extent. If replacing it is what you intend to do, I recommend an '02-'05 Explorer engine as an alternative to another pre-PI engine out of a Mustang (your is a '98, correct?). Not only has it got the PI heads and intake, but an aluminum block (that the GT does not) that will stip 70lb off of the front end of your car.

If it were me, I'd personally skip the rebuild and go with a low mileage Explorer replacement...but it's your money?

 

[drizztkun]

Well as a bonus, my dad is an ex-mechanic, and my father in law as a garage on is farm in napierville. So i have free access to a Lift and i have all my own air tools (dad got is tools box as a gift when retiring. and he gave to me since he had one). That being said. i do well mechanicly-size myself. but never went this deep in an engine, it being a SOHC frightend me more then if i had a good ol 302.

I like your idea of the explorer engine... i was actually thinking about a 01~03 engine from another stang but yeah the alu block might be a bonus to save a little weight and help the MPG.

Otherwise i may end up looking to buy another one. 03 to 05.... saw a decent 05 under 20g's... my original plan was for next year to look for an 03 cobra... black on black *sighs* oh well.... with the price of the gas now and the fact i drive it all year around *yeah yeah flame away* i might be better off with the GT...

i'll see what i do and keep you guys posted. Maybe i win the loto and get a Porsche Caymen? =oD

 

[drizztkun]

When i unplug the 2nd spark plug from the front passenger side, the knocking goes away completly

 

[drizztkun]

Lol i went to a garage for fun to get the car check and it's definatly the rod bearing. he goes i can fix it for 1100$ i was like laughing at him i told him to never mind, he says it's 15 hours to do the job.
i got the parts for 60$ so i think i'll try it myself by removing the oil pan

 

[drizztkun]

R.I.P my car... 10/20/08

 

[Gearbanger 101]

R.I.P my car... 10/20/08

I take it trying to rebuild it yourself didn't go so well?

 

[drizztkun]

i was on the road yesterday for work and it seized completly
now add the fact that the suspension needs to be replace soon, that both amps in the back died that the body work was never finished and that it has 300 000km.... its pretty much dead. but see the new thread with the option available to me now