60K Done

[billh]

Finished my 60K service this Saturday, doing the dreaded valve adjustment. Some observations:
My Ford tech said that I didn't need to perform the valve adjustment until at least 160K, as the valves would probably be in tolerence and he had never seen a worn shim. If anything, they would be tight because the valves would wear into the valve seats. Did it anyway. Used the valve clearance chart that Soctt sent me. All of the valves were loose, (.013 - .014 exhaust and .009 - .013 intake.) Replaced all of the shims, set clearance at .007 Intake and .011 exhaust. Intake and head ports were so clean that we did very little in the way of cleaning. Lots of oil in the plug wells. I now have two cans of Cyclo out of four that I will eventually use but didn't need for this operation.
A friend from Portland who has done five previous valve adjustments on SHO's did mine. The whole job took 6.5 hours from unbolting the battery cables to startup. If I would have done this alone, it would have taken considerably longer to do. Having someone do the job that has done it before really makes it go fast and avoids the gotcha problems. If anyone in the Pacific Northwest is thinking about doing a valve adjsutment and doesn't want to pay Fords labor charges, contact me. The guy who did mine is very meticulous and very reasonable in price. I am simply amazed that it went so well, and frankly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Bill Heinson

 

[shojuan]

Congratulations! I'll be doing mine once the garage is cleaned out (it's *really* messy and I like reading shoforum better than cleaning garage). I guess I've been lucky. At 148,000 miles there is only about 1/4" of oil in my front three plug wells. The computer tells me I need to clean my EGR ports and replace the 2 O2 sensors.

Rick

 

[PROPHET]

Sounds like blown head gaskets SHOJUAN.PS. you have a good sho mechanic close by SHONUFF93.

 

[shojuan]

A month ago it was just the rear O2 sensor that was leaving a code. When one goes I guess the other isn't long for the world and sure 'nuff it left a code last night. BTW, I *did* let the engine cool down after applying the steam premium. 15 minutes per the can instructions never gave me problems on other cars but after reading about your ordeal I waited 45. I just knew I was going to hear shit about that hehe.

Rick

 

[sdpatt]

PROPHET:
Sounds like blown head gaskets SHOJUAN.

Where did this come from? You are aware that the head gaskets have absolutely nothing to do with oil in the spark plug wells. That is from the plug well seals at the valve cover. Dirty EGR ports are not uncommon in the intake manifold either.

 

[billh]

shojuan:
Congratulations! I'll be doing mine once the garage is cleaned out (it's *really* messy and I like reading shoforum better than cleaning garage).
Rick

I had to dig a tunnell just to get into the garage. wink

 

[N3FOL]

Congratulations on the 60K!

I just can't believe that Ford said that the shims are still OK up until 160K. I did my 60K at 103K and I had to replace 18 out of 24 shims. Majority of the time I do not listen to Ford mechanics anyway.

Take care.

 

[gosho89]

Thanks for the plug Bill! I would have given you an even better deal if you would have let me take your GT-350 for a drive.....

 

[PROPHET]

My Bad, sorry i dont know what i was thinking ...oh yeah i wasnt thinking.lol

 

[luigisho]

Nice job Bill and Kerry. Keep them SHO's running.

 

[billh]

gosho89:
Thanks for the plug Bill! I would have given you an even better deal if you would have let me take your GT-350 for a drive.....

That can be arraigned, as soon as I replace the bowl and metering body gaskets on the carb. I started it up and had gas everywhere. wink Next time you're up here we can do that.

 

[billh]

N3FOL:
Congratulations on the 60K!

I just can't believe that Ford said that the shims are still OK up until 160K. I did my 60K at 103K and I had to replace 18 out of 24 shims. Majority of the time I do not listen to Ford mechanics anyway.

Take care.

For me, this was a good lesson in the difference between a SHO person and a professional mechanic. I have the feeling that, if left to his own devices, the pro would have checked valve clearance and, if it they were close, that would have been the end of it. The shims would not have been removed for inspection (in tolerance, so no wear) and the clearances would not have been set to minimums. It goes back to the old, "If you want something done right, do it yourself" I was just lucky that Kerry came along when he did. Made the job a LOT easier and quicker.