easiest way to do a full maintenance service

[Fudog]

Ok
Within the next month or so Ill be replacing the following:

full upper gasket set
full lower gasket set(including front and rear main seal)
Dayco timing belt
acc. belt
water pump
Valve shim job
Crankshaft position sensor
Camshaft position sensor
Motorcraft platinum spark plugs
AC Delco spark plug wire set
Oxygen sensors
Motorcraft T-stat & seal
Clevite rod bearing
VSS
ATX pan gaskets(both) and filter
fuel filter
air filter

Question?

Did i miss anything?
And would it be easier to drop the subframe with everything still attached?
Or should i work on it in the car?

Thx for your Time
Guys and Gals

 

[stevemainian]

Most people recommened a professional to do this job.

 

[qiksho]

I don't think you can replace the rear main with the tranny still attached to the engine. SO...unless it is leaking I would not replace it. If you do decide to replace it you will have to drop the subframe.

The rest of the service you are going to perform I have done with the engine and tranny still attached and in the car. Removing the right wheel and splash gaurd in the wheel well will grant you access to the crank pulley.

 

[Fudog]

I was informed by AAMCO that the rear seal was leaking. Also these are the things I want to do for peace of mind.
Now I was wanting to know if it would be a good idea to drop the subframe with everything still attached or, to use an engine support and leave the motor in the car?

Thx again

 

[Fudog]

c'mon guys someone has some advice on this

 

[platoribs]

I barely qualify as a shade tree mechanic, I rebuilt 1962 235" strieght six years ago. That engine is about 100 times easier to work on than the Yamaha DOHC V6. I will be looking to do some of the maintenance work on both my SHO's in the future but I don't have many of the tools to make things easier like air compressor and air tools (big advantage) so I'll pick the tasks I tackle carefully. Worst thing is to get into it and have to give up and call in the pros, embarrasing & expensive too. :cry:

Your question really depends on many things: your competence, the help you have available, your helps competance, your tools, your space, your time. etc...

You can really save a bunch if you can do some of it yourself (big surprise) but depending on your capabilities you may end up spending more to try (and fail) to D-I-Y!

I think a lot of the guys here who do their own work either are mechanics, or very mechanically inclined, or have a Dad, or friend who's been there done that, or just very determined cheap bastards!

Good luck and keep us advised of your progress.

 

[Snake2715]

Clevite rod bearing
VSS

Why those two?

The other stuff seems fairly easy to do provided you are somewhat capable. Teh VSS is terrbile to get to form what I can tell and unless its acting up why oh why would you do that? and The clevite bearings? Whats the point in doing that? I would wait till you need those two.

Also kits are for rent on the Shim job. So that would be teh route I would go personally.

 

[Cobraii976]

Well the majority of all that is your full 60K service and it can be perfomed with everything in the car including the rod bearing job can all be done without dropping the subframe. The only thing you will have to drop the subframe for is the rear main seal you will have to remove the tranny. and might as well do the VSS while it's out in the open. Your basic engine support will do for the job. You will also need a rotunda or something equal to it if your going to do the valve stem seals. You will also need shims and valve adjustment tools. PM me for further info and sources. I can't mention them here or the post will be deleted.

 

[Bank of SHO]

I wouldn't believe AAMCO nor would I ever let those butchers touch my car again.

Before I owned the SHO, I never worked on a car before. If not for the excellent write-ups and the help found on this forum, I would've never tried. All you have to do is follow directions for each procedure one step at a time. It's not so overwhelming when you look at it like that. Be sure to take very good notes and diagram where things go. While time consuming, it pays-off during reassembly and future work. I document everything from socket size to part orientation and number of fasteners. Use ziplock bags for fasteners and small parts. Label everything. No guess work this way.

The rear main might not be bad. Check to see if there is another source. You have to remove the tranny to get to it. Save it for when you're ready for a clutch job if you can. Defer to others here on what to do.