[Shotimes] 60,000 mile check -- tools and supplies

[Rick Glass]

On my '94 the water pump went at 73k and again at 147k
While your in there, I suggest a new front crank seal, $12 at Ford, will
save ALOT of work later if it ever started leaking.

Rick Glass
           Nashville, TN
'99 Silver 37k non-Kirked (for now)
      Flowmaster Original 40's
      3rd cat/resonator removed
      Intake slightly modified, but not Porterized
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donald Mallinson" <dmall@mwonline.net>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] 60,000 mile check -- tools and supplies


> Al and others,
>
> The 60k mantra is pretty well known, but we don't want to
> get some incorrect information out there.
>
> We know from long experience that valves CAN get out of
> adjustment before 100,000 miles.  Also shims can wear.
>
> The basic advice that I have given for years is this:
>
> Cam belt can go 100,000 miles on the MTX or ATX, but try to
> get it changed by that time, although we have experience
> with many cars going 150,000 and beyond.
>
> If you DO replace the cam belt, it is a good idea to
> consider replacing the crank sensor and water pump.
> Although Al, the water pump doesn't always go by 100,000
> miles, we know that a lot of them do.  Evidence of leakage
> around the weep hole (trail of different color from the
> hole, even when dry) on the water pump means it is time to
> replace.  Cam sensor isn't that expensive and while there,
> why not do it.
>
> Yes, you can get along without both, but if you have the
> front of the motor apart anyway for a belt, that is the
> bigger part of the labor involved with changing the other
> two.  IF you plan on keeping the car a long time, then
> consider changing those two items with the cam belt.
>
> As for the valve check, getting the intake off LOOKS
> intimidating for the first timer, but is really easy once
> you do it one time.  And not expensive.  Gaskets CAN be
> reused if in good shape.  The best advice, is that if the
> valves are quiet, chances are you are in good shape.  IF the
> engine is getting some valve noise, then pull the covers and
> check at least the first 100,000 miles, than it would be a
> good idea to check the shims/clearance (while in there)
> every 50-60,000 after that.
>
> At 140,000 I replaced three exhaust shims, and this is
> pretty typical.  They were just on the edge of the range,
> and while there, I went ahead and changed them.  I optimized
> a few others while there since it didn't take that much more
> time.
>
> The shims DO wear out, sometimes even with regular obsessive
> oil changes on cars driven easy.  Probably because of poor
> heat treating or metal on a few shims, it happens.
>
> If a shim goes, it can take a cam lobe out in short order,
> so that is the reason for regular checks.
>
> I isn't a good idea to take the attitude "if it isn't broke,
> don't fix it" when parts are so expensive, and down time so
> unhandy.  Also, once you have done it, removing the intake
> and valve covers is an easy job.  For those that haven't
> done it, Josh's 60k video is a good investment.
>
> Don
>
> George Fourchy wrote:
>
> > On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 16:06:53 -0800, Al Fitz wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I know I'll
> >>hear a bunch of shit about that but it is so unusual to find one that
needs
> >>re-shimmed if the car has had regular oil changes.
> >
> >
> > I'll agree with Al on this....as many of you older listmembers know, my
car went
> > 201k before the cam covers came off, and there was one valve that was
.02 off of the
> > desired spec.  We changed that shim so I'd see how it was done, but the
others are
> > still the way they came from the factory.  That was 62k miles ago.  That
was also
> > the only valve adjustment it'll get on its way to 300K miles.
> >
> > Its replacement has a +/- 70K  3.2 engine blessed by Mark Nunnally.
Unless I hear
> > something REALLY strange coming from it, it won't ever get a valve
adjustment during
> > its admittedly more leisurely journey to the ripe old age of 30 years.
Oil changes
> > every 3K miles are the secret, and I'm sticking with it.
> >
> > George
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