Just Bought SHO, Need Help On Maintenance

[edb2007]

1991 Ford Taurus SHO
5-speed 3.0 DOHC SFI
135000mi

I need to know what should be replaced and how to check if it needs it....

I want to get this thing running in perfect condition before I start modding!!!

I will not be using this motor... but rebuilding one then installing it... (for you who are about to say 135000 is alot of miles!!!)

 

[92inPA]

Welcome to the SHO community!

135K isn't all that much. There are plenty of SHO with twice as many miles and more.

Assuming the car is already running well, start fixing the leaks. SHO motors often have something that leaks. Pay particular attention to keeping oil out of the spark plug wells.

Happy Driving!!

 

[JoesSHO]

edb- congrats on the new SHO! 135K isn't a lot of miles...

One piece of advice- do some searches on maintenance before you get flamed from some members having a bad day- just lookin' out for ya. Maintenance questions are answered aplenty.

Check out this site, too- lots of good information.

SHOPP

 

[edb2007]

Welcome to the SHO community!

135K isn't all that much. There are plenty of SHO with twice as many miles and more.

Assuming the car is already running well, start fixing the leaks. SHO motors often have something that leaks. Pay particular attention to keeping oil out of the spark plug wells.

Happy Driving!!

thanks... i am very happy with my new SHO.... its a little different than my mustang (1995 Ford Mustang 3.8) but now that i have the SHO i can finally install my new SC on the stang....

really I thought 135k was quite high.... i know the 3.8 in my stang is rated for 200k or more.... but ive heard that the 3.0 is almost indestructable... unline the trans....

my plan is to bring it to my grandfathers(heated garage and my tools).... run a can of that engine cleaner and run full synthetic(or high milage)with some lucas (same setup I run in the stang).... flush out the power steering.. and replace with some synthetic PSF.... top off all the fluids..... but after that i have no clue on what to do... what can i do to the trans can i change the fluid?


well after that what does the stock SHO motor have in it?

Forged?
Cast?

 

[gtstang1967]

you will anwser all of your question by searching on here. you can also go yo other sites that specialize in shos
www.shotimes.com
www.shophoenixproject.com

 

[doclees]

Anything under 100k miles is not even broken in. Read the horror stories about broken diff pins and spun bearings. Be forewarned! She will suck you in and you will spend long hours looking for parts! I should never have listened to that Sirens purr.

 

[tgsho]

any pics? you can try pulling some codes, if any...

 

[edb2007]

Anything under 100k miles is not even broken in. Read the horror stories about broken diff pins and spun bearings. Be forewarned! She will suck you in and you will spend long hours looking for parts! I should never have listened to that Sirens purr.

well the only thing wrong with it as far as I know is that when i let the clutch out i hear a faint clicking....... is that normal... im going to have my former employer drive it and tell me what he thinks today...

what do you mean she will suck me in do you mean i will think thier is a problem and thier wont be....????

my friend has 3 SHO's ikn his back yard that he uses for his tow daily drivers.... a 91 5-speed.... exact to mine... and a 93 auto.... 3.2 those sucked....as far as i know thier just bored out arent they?....

anyways I love it..... I am going to check everythingover today.... and replace the sparkplugs, wires, rad hoses, belt, oil, and water.

 

[warmonger]

check your timing belt,make sure the valve covers arent leaking,change the fuel filter...ideally you'd give it a 60k service

 

[92inPA]

Stick with the Motorcraft or the Accell wires for the least problems. Lots of folks have tried various plugs with all sorts of degrees of success. So far the Motorcraft AGSP32FM (recently renamed as SP497) consistently work fine.

If you need to look up the proper routing for the spark plug wires, be forewarned that some service manuals (Helms IIRC) diagrams the wires incorrectly. I show the correct routing on my "spark plugs" page.

Take a look at my personal SHO pages (link below). I have tons of part numbers and information listed.

 

[spiegeltuxer]

Clicking when you let the clutch out could be axles letting you know its getting to be time to change them. I got my 91 3 yrs ago with 174k, did some maint work and its been very good to me. Just about to turn 210,000. Workin on doing a 60k and some suspension, saggy rear condition.

 

[thecrew2999]

shotimes.com is a good site to go for easy to awnser questions and common type... one thing i recommend... ROD BEARINGS look into those because id hate to hear about another SHO motor going to yamaha heaven

 

[edb2007]

I dont want to have to pull the motor..... i want to keep this one until i can rebuild a new one to drop in it!

How do I check the axles?
is thier somthing i can look for to determine wear?

I was thinking some 8.5mm MSD wires and some bosch Platinum 4's

How do I check the timing belt?

where is the fuel filter located?

 

[Mr95Gl]

How do I check the axles?
is thier somthing i can look for to determine wear?

I'm not exactly sure on what to look for in a worn axle, but I do know that if the boot is torn, or if its "clicking", a replacement will shortly be needed.

I was thinking some 8.5mm MSD wires and some bosch Platinum 4's

From what I've read, the Bosch Plats +4 aren't an ideal plug for the SHO. I'd personally stick with either Motorcraft wires and plugs, or AC Delco wires, and Autolite plugs.

where is the fuel filter located?

IIRC, right below the rear passenger side door.

How do I check the timing belt?

Once you remove the crossover tube, the upper timing cover is directly below it. Remove that, and the timing belt is right there (to check its condition).

 

[JoesSHO]

I have used Taylor wires purchased off summitracing.com on three SHO's and have had no problems. $70.00 was better then $140.00 for Ford wires, but that argument never ends... I don't know if I'd run a can of "motor flush" through the car- I've heard it isn't good for these motors- all it is is kerosene...

 

[doclees]

well the only thing wrong with it as far as I know is that when i let the clutch out i hear a faint clicking....... is that normal... im going to have my former employer drive it and tell me what he thinks today...

what do you mean she will suck me in do you mean i will think thier is a problem and thier wont be....????

my friend has 3 SHO's ikn his back yard that he uses for his tow daily drivers.... a 91 5-speed.... exact to mine... and a 93 auto.... 3.2 those sucked....as far as i know thier just bored out arent they?....

anyways I love it..... I am going to check everythingover today.... and replace the sparkplugs, wires, rad hoses, belt, oil, and water.

I mean you will want to do what ever to keep the relationship going even though it is not in your best interest. Like marriage I believe cars are money pits. The idea is keep the pit small so it doesn't become a grave. This car will probably become my grave.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Well the 60k maintanince is important for the SHO and we offer a kit with everything you need: SHOBros

Also if there is a shiney spot on the intake, it measn you have a ruined front mount.

Check the spark plug wells for oil.

I reccommend Taylor wires with Motorcraft Plugs.

 

[warmonger]

you dont have to pull the engine to check or change your bearings...i'd do that first

 

[BlackonBlack89]

that noise you hear when you let out the clutch is the throw out bearing. yours happens to be noisy. just like mine; mine is nosiy too and it is brand new. if you push the clutch in it goes away, right. If not then it might be what the other people suggested(timing belt)


and rod bearing would be on the "to do list" in the near future

 

[edb2007]

talked to former employer and he says it is the throw out bearing.... he also said it will be good for quite some time.... and this weekend I will be checking over everything included in the 60K and hopefully fixing the problems... but money is short now that I own a new SHO haha... anyways still in love with it!!!... cant wait to drive it to school in the morning!!!