possible 04 cobra head tick

[walker95svt]

Hey guys, I just bought a 2004 mystichrome cobra. I've been a long time ford guy, (95 cobra and 2004 lightning) and I used to come around these parts, and now I'm in need of some help. The car sounded and looked great during my two test drives, but now it makes a sound exactly like some of the head tick videos I've seen, but it doesn't have the same characteristics. The head tick is supposed to be constant at idle no matter the temp, but my 'head tick' gets quieter and quieter until it's gone. Yesterday it sounded pretty bad. Other than that, it runs great, clean and hard as hell. The tapping is unnnerving. I don't know anything about mod motors beyond the next windsor motor guy.

Call me a chump, maybe I was blinded by the fact that it was a low mile mystichrome with some very expensive mods for a decent price....who knows.

Either way, now it's time to sort out what's up with the car and turn it into the terminator of my dreams.

some advice?

1. It sounds similar to the head tick
2. Goes away as the engine warms up

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Congrats on the Mystichrome man! Let's see some pics!

As for the tick, everyone thinks they have it when they first get their new edge Cobra but it is rare to actually have the real head problem.

First thing to check is the spark plugs, one could be loose and getting ready to blow out. When the engine warms up it gets tighter and quiets down, very serious so check plugs immediately.

The next thing it could be is an exhaust leak that tightens up when engine is warm and quiets down. Personally I feel life is too short to do exhaust work so I would take it to a good exhaust shop and have them check for and correct any exhaust leaks.

My car ticks with 10W-20 but is totally quiet with 10W-30 you could also try that if you are not already running 30 weight. My suggestion would be to use Mobil1.

The real head tick gets worse when the engine warms up.

 

[COBRA90GT]

...some very expensive mods for a decent price....

Congrats on that car.


What's your mod list ?

 

[galactus]

If your 'head tick' gets quieter as the car warms up, then it's not likely the head tick that you have. Don't forget that things expand when they heat up, and you might want to look at exhaust connections.

The real head tick sounds like bb's shaken in a coffee can, on an ongoing basis.

Let us know what you find, and good luck, mystic rocks for a color

Post pics!

 

[walker95svt]

Congrats on that car.


What's your mod list ?

It gets longer by the day. I've always bought stock vehicles, and I actually feel kinda bad buying a mustang that's already modded.

-MM K-member and A-arms
-coil overs
-SLAMMED springs. They gotta go. I love lowered mustangs, but I want ride quality with this car, and I don't want to beat it to death on bumps.
-Borla exhaust (poorly mounted)
-Some sort of control arm thingys
-2.8 pulley
-some sort of GRABBIN' clutch. The friction point to full takeup is like nothing.
-interceptor SVT gauge
-boost gauge
-line lock (I think the car was beat on, I bought it because it's virtually perfect on the outside and has 38,000 miles)
-noisy tranny??? I don't whether it's modded or hurting....it works fine
-roll cage with removable door inserts


The list keeps getting longer and longer the more I poke my head around. I wish there was a way to contact the original owner to ask him candidly what was up with it.