97 issues

[PFA]

I now have a 97 SHO in my driveway. I took care of the keypad code..Thanks.
Now, I am trying to do a compression check on the front bank. The battery was dead. I put a battery from my 03 Taurus in. With this battery or trying to jump the old battery, the engine turns over very slowwwwwlyyy. Almost like there is no charge in the battery. All the electrical seems to work ok, like there is full power. What could be the reason for the slow turn over? The previous owner said that a shop did a compression check with none on the front bank. That's all that was checked.

 

[PFA]

Nobody? I'm thinking a bad connection with the ground or pos. on the starter...

 

[nik97]

Volt drop the starter cable.

 

[PFA]

OK...I checked the ground from battery to block and battery to neg on starter. Both good. I have about .9-1.0 voltage drop from battery to starter connection. If I hold the key on too long, both battery terminal connections start to get a bit warm. The pos is first. Looks like mainly on cable of the two that are at the battery pos. post. That paticular cable goes to the fuse box under the hood.
What else could be making this thing turn so slowly? All connections on the starter are tight.

 

[PFA]

Also, the car actually broke down in Nov. It was checked out by a shop in early Dec. There was no problem with the engine turning over.

 

[nik97]

.9-1.0v is excessive. Replace the starter cable.

 

[PFA]

Bringing this back up.....skipping the starter issue for now. I have finally had a bit of time to pull the front cam cover.

I have read about the cam failure but cannot remember which sprocket it is that goes. Anyone?

 

[stephen newberg]

That is seriously not good. The cam sprockets all need to be welded, and that one is already moving, I would guess. You might consider getting it towed to where you will have it welded, rather than driving it there.

pax, smn

 

[bigred56k]

Not to sure but thats not to healthy looking right there!

 

[PFA]

ok....well, I am pretty sure it has a cam problem...but which is the main question? I have not been able to do a compression test, as the start of this thread. I am guessing that I may be getting a valve to piston problem already. I am just wondering which cam is the normal for going bad, or which sprocket. The one looks as if it's shot already, but wondering about the other cam.

Can I pull the head while in the car? Is there a writeup on it?

 

[stephen newberg]

There is no particular cam that is more likely to go, from what statistics I have read. All of the cam drive sprockets need to be welded since all of them are mounted via press fit on spline the same way. That metal powder looks to me like ground spline, so that cam you are getting it off of sure looks to be moving.

For more information on this, look on V8SHO.com.

pax, smn

 

[ArkanSHO]

ok....well, I am pretty sure it has a cam problem...but which is the main question? I have not been able to do a compression test, as the start of this thread. I am guessing that I may be getting a valve to piston problem already. I am just wondering which cam is the normal for going bad, or which sprocket. The one looks as if it's shot already, but wondering about the other cam.
Can I pull the head while in the car? Is there a writeup on it?

Any of the four cams can loose the secondary drive sprocket but it seems to traditionaly happen more to the rear bank I would have to say from what I have read. In any case, if it is the rear bank you loose several exhaust valves and if it is in front bank you loose intake valves. I would have to say that judging from the pictures you posted that you are going to not have compression on at least 2 and most likely 3 cylinders along with the unique new shape you will find you valve heads in since the grounded metal indicates the sprocket has done a couple of revolutions around the stationary cam tube.

 

[Wess]

I must say, that photo is a great example of the cam issue.

 

[PFA]

I must say, that photo is a great example of the cam issue.

Well, glad I could show it...or something like that.
I thought I had read that there was one particular sprocket that was most likely to fail...one that had more tension or drag than the rest. Anyway, I know this one is shot. How do you know if the others are, if they don't show metal grind like my other?
Am I able to pull this head while in the car?

 

[bigred56k]

I must say, that photo is a great example of the cam issue.

Yes I think that this should be pinned!

 

[PFA]

Yes I think that this should be pinned!

Does this mean that my engine is in the hall of fame or something??

 

[bigred56k]

LOL quite possibly!

 

[Wess]

You should send these pics to the V8 SHO mailing list. I think they would be excellent fodder for the legal team.

 

[PFA]

You should send these pics to the V8 SHO mailing list. I think they would be excellent fodder for the legal team.

I can do that....if someone wants to point the way for me. :wave:

 

[ArkanSHO]

ok....well, I am pretty sure it has a cam problem...but which is the main question? I have not been able to do a compression test, as the start of this thread. I am guessing that I may be getting a valve to piston problem already. I am just wondering which cam is the normal for going bad, or which sprocket. The one looks as if it's shot already, but wondering about the other cam.
Can I pull the head while in the car? Is there a writeup on it?

If you haven't done so already you should pass on this information and the VIN to the Webmaster at www.V8SHO.com to. I am fairly confident he is still on this forum as Showhat9 also. He is collecting this information to present to Ford as proof that it has happened to more then just the "handfull" that they are claiming.