Another one bites the dust ... cam failure feared!

[djbartu]

My '96 SHO has just started making a loud "ticking" noise from the back left side of the engine; definitely a valve train noise. The car still runs fine but I am taking it off the road till it is checked out. I'm thinking of taking it to a local race car builder who I know will do the job correctly. Is there any reason I should take it to a Ford dealer for service? (Warranty, special tools etc?).

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Since you are in PA, tow it out to Spencer MA for Kirk Doucette to look at. Seriously, it is well worth the trip. If something got f'd, he would know and may be able to fix. email him:

[email protected]

 

[stephen newberg]

Since you are well out of warranty, the Ford dealer cannot help you at this point, but you might want to go in and lodge formal notice of the problem and the fact that you are aware of a class action suit dealing with the problem. Then, you might want to check in with Kirk and others over on V8SHO.COM to register or whatever they do for the action.

Mine are getting welded late next week, I think. Depends on when the gaskets and such get in. Decided I had waited long enough, with her now past the 100k mark.

pax, smn

 

[ArkanSHO]

djbartu:
My '96 SHO has just started making a loud "ticking" noise from the back left side of the engine; definitely a valve train noise. The car still runs fine but I am taking it off the road till it is checked out. I'm thinking of taking it to a local race car builder who I know will do the job correctly. Is there any reason I should take it to a Ford dealer for service? (Warranty, special tools etc?).

Did you add your name to the list over at V8SHO.com?
Just go to the bottom of the Cam Page.

 

[luigisho]

I can't imagine the local dealers have dealt with that many SHOs in that part of PA. I don't see any reason to take it to a dealer unless you know they know what they're doing. Having Kirk look at it might be a good idea and you're probably not that far.

 

[Bizzy]

Well if you the cams go and you need an engine, I have a line on a complete 96 with a perfect running motor and tranny. I was thinking about picking it up and parting it out, since it has heavy body damage but a great engine.

 

[djbartu]

Thanks for the info. I'm having the initial inspection done locally by a good mechanic who I know will properly diagnose the problem and won't try to rip me off. If it is determined to definitely be a cam problem, I will add my info to the list and join the fight against Ford. NETVIPER: As far as that complete engine, I doubt I'll need to go that route since my malfunction so far was just the cam noise, no damage to engine internals; but I'll let you know.

 

[SHOWHAT9]

FWIW - don't drive the car. If the sprocket is beginning to dance on the shaft, there is no was of telling when it will just spin off. Tow it to wherever you want to have it inspected. Right now you may have a 5-800 dollar repair. Drive it and thave the sprocket fail - you could toast the engine. Whether or not you have had a failure, you need to register as part of the class. If you are a GENIII owner, you need to be included in the suit. Kirk probably is your best option once diagnosed.

<small>[ May 07, 2003, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: SHOWHAT9 ]</small>

 

[Bizzy]

from the little I know about Gen 3's DON'T DRIVE IT. You never know when it will let loose and destroy a perfectly good engine. Get in touch with kirk, you may even be able to get him to come down and to the welding. If you have a cordless phone, if it is loud enough you could run the engine and let someone that knows the sound listen to it. Might be easier/safer than taking it to anyone till it is fixed.

 

[99V8SHO]

Yeah definitely would not recommend starting it up anytime soon...but good thing you caught it now before the sproket spun...

 

[SHODWN]

NE PA? Where abouts/ Ill be passing through there tomorrow before noon.

Ill check this in the am, If I see no response ask in the open forum for my number and I may be able to look at it for you on the way through

 

[Mr.Duff99V8SHO]

djbartu where in NE Pa are you located..im about 20 mins north of scranton...good to hear a fellow gen 3 owner is in my area.

 

[djbartu]

I'm sorry I didn't check this earlier, it's now about 2:45. I am in Nanticoke, PA (exit 164 off I-81). However, the car is about 15 miles north of here (near Sylvin Lake and Sweet Valley) hopefully getting torn apart soon.

 

[JCU]

Let me just give you my opinion. There is only one dealership in NE PA that I would ever consider bringing my SHO to. It's in Carbondale and they deal in all the hi po Ford vehicles. I wouldn't bring it to a dealer but if I did, this is where I'd go.

I do not take my SHO to a dealership but to a friend who is an expert mechanic and always knows whats wrong with my SHO with I bring it to him. He replaced my engine for me when my cam failure occured. I'm lucky enough to have a friend who can work on these cars .

Finally, if your car was in your place of residence, I'd listen to it for you and give you advice as best as I can considering I had the failure before. Mind you, I am no expert mechanic but I vividly remember what my car sounded like before it failed. I am in Nanticoke quite frequently during the week.

 

[Mr.Duff99V8SHO]

i never see gen 3s around NE PA...where are you guys hiding at..

 

[SHOZ123]

I run up and down the roads between the corn fields....

 

[SHODWN]

MR Duff we have Car SHOWs in PA all the time, we also use 81 to go everywhere

Paul also drives through the cornfeilds as well.

 

[SHOZ123]

finger finger finger