120K Tune On A Budget

[Techpriest]

I have been back and forth about putting up my 89 SHO for sale. I love the car but I am not sure I can afford it. It has 130k miles and as far as I know the last tune was around 60k. It is sputtering some when dry, sputtering bad when it rains. The plug wells are full of oil. She needs a tune up.

I have looked into getting the 120k tune up done locally and the best I can hope for is $700 just to do plugs, wires and gaskets. Just plugs and wires is $350. With the other things wrong that is more then I want to put into it. If the tune up is something I can do, and can afford, I would like to keep the car.

In my favor I can live with the SHO off the road for a few weeks. I can take my time and do the work myself. I can take things apart, check them out, then order parts as needed. I have simple hand tools and an air compresser with some impact tools. I can store the car in a garage while I am working on it so the hood can come off and stay off. I have basic mechanical skills, but am not a mechanic. In my 33 years on the planet I have rebuilt engines and trannys in classroom settings but would not tackle either on my own. The car will be used for daily driver and monthly Autocross sessions. I live 6 blocks from work and put under 300 miles on my car most months.

I have found a number of places on the web and in this forum that list everything that should be done during the 60k. Of course they vary quite a bit on what they say should be done. I know I need plugs, wires and valve cover and plug hole gaskets. Anything else have to be done then, or can the rest of it go on the "replace as it fails" list?

I also see mention of kits for rent to check and adjust the valves but none of the links are good. Anyone know of a place that still rents those kits? Are they SHO specific or will the generic valve tools rented at Autozone work?

I have found mention of a 60K tune video, but no actual sources. Anyone willing to rent me one or know where I can get it?

Thanks!

89 SHO -Parked Awaiting decision
93 SHO -Heading to eBay
93 Lincoln Town Car -Wife's
95 Saturn SC2 -Current Daily Driver and Autocrosser, heck of a good car for $900

 

[strings1732]

You can do it yourself. And plugs/wires cost a lot less than 350. Get autolite plugs and acdelco wires and save yourself some money. You can re-use your current gaskets if you would like, just be careful not to rip them and use RTV on them when re-installing them. The video is sold at SHOnut I believe, but I got mine on Ebay. Alternatively, you cna use SHOPhoenixproject.com to see how to do the 120k. Here's a link to that website:
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm

 

[Paul]

Buy a case of beer. Usally they sputter is because the weatherstrip at the hood cowl is not intact and water is allowed to drain right over the rear plugs filling the plug wells with water. Have you washed you're car really really good lately? There is a excelent chance that the valve cover plugwell gasket rings are leaking oil into the plug wells... fouling the spark plug boots. If by chance you were capable of pulling one of the plug boots, you would be able to see the serious drivability problem this will cause. In either case plug wires should be replaced. If done, Zen may be reached with the right pedal. Not before carbon tracking is ellimiated.

 

[strings1732]

he already stated that the plug wells are full of oil which is most likely the cause of the sputtering. Also, the only things other than the plugs/wires that I'd replace is the waterpump and the belts. Those will most likely fail soon if they haven't already.

 

[NWGRN94MTX]

Break it down into two steps. Top and Front. Since you say you have oil in the wells, if I where you, I would do the top first. When you have time and can afford it, do the front.

Clean intake,
Shim adjust,
reseal plug wells and valve covers,
new plugs,
new wires.

 

[Techpriest]

Thanks all!

The Phoenix instructions looks even simple enough for a computer tech to follow. I might be able to pull it off after all.

I cleaned the front wells and replaced the plugs, but that did not help much and the wells have oil in them again. Can not see the backs but assume they are in the same shape.

The only catch left that I see is the valves. Looks like they call for some special tools. If I keep driving the SHO at my current rate it would be 2022 before I need them again so I really don't want to buy them. When I get ready to do it I will start trying to find a used set to buy or rent. Maybe I can get with a local Ford mechanic and see if he could do that some weekend for me while I have the covers off.

 

[SHObill]

Shim Kit

I have a shim kit for rent with everything in it you will need to do the Valve adjust & more. Its $50 plus $15 ship. Send a $250 deposit & its yours to use for no more than 2 weeks. Call for details-See my ad in the Clasifieds-thanx

 

[ViPER1313]

If you are really on a budget just replace the valve cover gaskets, plugs and wires and forget the valve lash for now.

$69.99 - Valve Cover gasket set
$32.99 - Intake Gasket Set
$0 - Plugs (since you already bought a new set)
$44.99 - AC-Delco Wire Set

Add in $20 in random stuff that you might not already have (hex key for the valve covers, RTV)

Total - ~$170

 

[strings1732]

The valve cover gaskets can be reused. But do not take your intake apart or you will need to replace those gaskets. Otherwise, you can leave it together and it will be fine. I have re-used my valve cover gaskets and tube seals since I bought the car with no ill effects. Just rtv them and say screw it. that will save you ~$103.

With the valve lash tool and shim kit rental you are looking at ~ $110.

 

[Techpriest]

Thanks again all.

I think I can check the lash with a standard feeler gauge. Once I have those numbers I can see how bad it is. If it's not bad I think I will leave it alone. If it's bad I will see if the above kit is still available.

Getting eager to run the SHO again! My SC2 is fun but I keep looking around for the 130hp I am missing.

"Like a hippo doing ballet" How I describe my SHO doing Autocross.
"Your times might not be as good as the others, but you sure are fun to watch." How my SHO doing Autocross has been described by others.

 

[SHObill]

The valve cover gaskets can be reused. But do not take your intake apart or you will need to replace those gaskets. Otherwise, you can leave it together and it will be fine. I have re-used my valve cover gaskets and tube seals since I bought the car with no ill effects. Just rtv them and say screw it. that will save you ~$103.
--As long as they are not brittle,you could get by with RTV, but all the rear valve cover gaskets I've pulled were stiff & hard!

With the valve lash tool and shim kit rental you are looking at ~ $110.

--You do not have to buy the tools! Just rent the kit-every thing is included. Or just go to an auto supply & buy a set of feeler gauges-$3- and at least just check the clearances- you may be OK.

 

[Bruce M]

Shobill's valve lash tools

Bought a set of valve lash adfjustment tools off of shobill. Have done 2 valve lash adjustments so far, stuff works great.

 

[Paul]

I will give a tip for replacing wires. Plug wells dry first, then the replacment wires the give you, carefully pull the plastic lockdown clip off the coil end of the plug wire. After you string it under the manifold, carefully replace the plastic lock clips. This will not solve the problem oil leaking into the plug wells. It will make the motor run good again. 'til oil fouls the wires out again.