Cam Repair Needed For 97 SHO

[JimG]

Well it looks like it finally happened...I have a 97 SHO that did not have the cam sprockets welded. Last week I noticed an odd noise under the hood that I suspect is the early indications of the camshaft sprocket issue. The engine is running well so I believe no damage has occurred and it's been parked since then. I talked to my regular auto shop and they aren't familiar with the issue at all. This isn't a repair that I would do myself so I was looking to find a local shop in the metro Atlanta area that might have experience with this. Any suggestions for a local shop that can do this work?

 

[luigisho]

Doug at Ford Performance Specialists in GA is the only close option I can remember off the cuff. Not far from ATL. Out rt 20 toward 6 flags.

I would probably open it up and take a look to get eyeballs on what it looks like

 

[SM105K]

Yep I agree with Luigisho, I literally have only heard about Doug and FPS in GA when it comes to fixing this issue.

 

[FoolishEarthling]

You happen to live near the only good option left east of the Mississippi (of which I'm aware), that being Doug at FPS, Mableton, as mentioned above.

 

[stephen newberg]

Doug has done a lot of these and does good work, but do not try to drive it there. You are going to have to get it towed or flatbedded.

pax, smn

 

[JimG]

Thanks All for the feedback. That shop is about 35 miles away so not too bad as I planned on putting it on a flatbed wherever.

 

[Nettlesd]

By chance, if you are looking for a nice 1999 SHO with 56K for $5k, let me know. The car is driven by my daughter who would like to upgrade.

 

[SHOZ123]

What bank went bad? I have two good heads with cams.....

 

[luigisho]

Thanks All for the feedback. That shop is about 35 miles away so not too bad as I planned on putting it on a flatbed wherever.

Report back with what it looks like/repairs.

 

[fourofdiamonds]

Doug Lewis at FPS can handle your work. He has handled the weld on many Gen 3s, including mine. I had mine done several years ago when the car had around 75K miles. Mine has over 225K now.

 

[JimG]

Follow up to original post. I finally got the car over to FPS and Doug Lewis. As suspected, it was one of the cams getting ready to go. It was the bank 1 intake cam making all the noise. Doug said he could actually spin it a few degrees back and forth but it hadn't spun enough to cause any other damage. So, after welding all 4 cams, getting it put back together and fixing a few other issues (ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar end links) it's back home and running great. Thanks to all for suggestions/comments!

 

[SM105K]

Follow up to original post. I finally got the car over to FPS and Doug Lewis. As suspected, it was one of the cams getting ready to go. It was the bank 1 intake cam making all the noise. Doug said he could actually spin it a few degrees back and forth but it hadn't spun enough to cause any other damage. So, after welding all 4 cams, getting it put back together and fixing a few other issues (ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar end links) it's back home and running great. Thanks to all for suggestions/comments!

Awesome. Another 3rd Gen saved.

 

[gamefanatic]

That is great news!

 

[outatyme357]

what did this early failure noise sound like?

 

[JimG]

It started out with a dull rattling or whining sound accompanied by an erratic idle. I would stop at a traffic light and sometimes the idle would run up to as high as 2K rpm. Putting it in park would slow the idle down at times. When idling in the driveway with the hood up there was an obvious mechanical noise coming from the top of the engine.

 

[outatyme357]

Thanks for that - my 97 makes a ticking or dieseling type sound (not sure if i am describing it correctly) at times and i believe it is not welded. has over 370k on the clock! was trying to determine if i have that issue coming.

 

[stephen newberg]

With that distance on the clock, I am willing to guess it has at one time or another been welded or pinned, which some early fixes used, but something has broken loose now. Regardless, it does sound like it needs attention to the cam sprockets if you are going to save the engine, and you should stop running it until it is looked into, out of caution, if at all possible.

pax, smn

 

[JimG]

I had 127K on the odometer when I started noticing the noise.

 

[luigisho]

Thanks for that - my 97 makes a ticking or dieseling type sound (not sure if i am describing it correctly) at times and i believe it is not welded. has over 370k on the clock! was trying to determine if i have that issue coming.

I would guess probably. That many miles is great! I knew my old car had alot of life left in the motor. I ditched it when the tranny started to go. That engine still ran like a top at +- 200k

 

[stephen newberg]

I had 127K on the odometer when I started noticing the noise.

And it has 370k now? OK, then I would revise my guess and say likely it is not the cam sprockets. Once they start to go, you often have very little time before they move enough that the motor dies, since it is an interference design.

So, now I would guess that something else is making your noise. I am not going to guess what, but it still seems to me it would be worth finding out.

pax, smn

 

[GEN 3 SHO FAN]

Humm, Stephen, you messed with the post of two persons...

Outatyme357 : You must make a check up if you will conserve the car, you can first watch the water pump belt if its turning correctly (but you have to start the car...). Otherwise you can unbolt the front valve cover to see if you have grinding mark where the smaller sprokets (small chain) meet the cams. If you need photos to compare and know how to weld, I can send you some. Any experienced mechanic with MIG equipment can do this for reasonable price.

From what I rode on cam failures reports, this trouble can happen at any mileage and can happen suddendly or taking many days with a bad sound before the final stall came. There is no certitude about that. Also, some welding can fails too...

But otherwise this japanese engine will not let you down (with a minimal maintenance).