maintenance help

[oh_SHO]

I have a '93 ATX w/130K that needs the 120K maintenance performed. I know the history of the car and none of the nessecary engine maintence was done (except the timing belt at 90k). I am a poor college student and would like to do it myself but I am unfamiliar with the DOHC motors. So I am looking for someone who really knows these motors to help me. Is there any one in the Cincinnati or Athens, OH area that would be willing to help me at a reasonalbe price?

 

[Levand16]

I'd be glad to help but I'm new San Antonio, TX... I'm new to these motors also but once you get all the covers off you'll see how easy it is to work on! Hopefully mine will be all done soon and it will be back on the road!

 

[jasonty]

Hmm... San Antonio eh? heh heh... You'll be hearing from me again... wink These motors look like a dirty b@stard to pull out!

<small>[ March 05, 2003, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: jasonty ]</small>

 

[SHO--ripper]

Don't be afraid to try! There are many maven SHO mechanics on this forum. They will be more than happy to talk you through the process. If you have the proper tools you should be able to do the 120k. DO you have any experience working on cars? By 120 do you mean water pump, timing belt, all the gaskets,and valve shims? Does you water pump leak? if it ain't broke don't fix it thumbs_u

 

[bbeechsho]

SHO--ripper,
I must disagree. I say if you're already doing the timing belt, you might as well do the waterpump, cps, and crank seal. Cause its a pain to get to all of that.

oh_SHO,
I do not work on cars much, I was more of a small engine guy, but after I began to do my own waterpump(cause I am a poor college student), I found that it is pretty easy. Just time consuming, and hard to find the right parts.
I am in the Louisville Ky area, and eventhough i am really busy at school, I could possibly help out. Email me for more info and good luck!!!

 

[oh_SHO]

I do have plenty of experience working on cars. I've just never worked on a OHC motor. I need to do it all. The gaskets are leaking like crazy and I think if I am digging around in there I will do the waterpump since she is running hotter than before. As for the TB we will see when we get there and the valves/shims are getting whatever attention they need. I know that the intake needs attention too because I am getting the EGR code again. P.S. Anyone got a suggestion on sparkplug wires? (I am sure this has been asked a lot but I am new here)

 

[stevetatro]

What's up oh_SHO.

I'm in the Cincinnati area. Although I'm very far from a mechanic, I've been able to do a lot of the work on my '93.

I've never done a "complete" 60k on a SHO, but I've done bits and pieces at different times.

If you've got any mechanical aptitude (which it sounds like you do) it's not too difficult. It is nice to have someone helping who has been there before, though!

If you want to get together and tackle this sometime, let me know.

I've got a copy of the 60k documents (I think developed by SDPATT) that will help out a LOT. There's a valve lash worksheet, a parts list (including the best/cheapest places to buy from), etc.

Later.

 

[oh_SHO]

Steve,

I would appreciate any help you can provide. I would like to get this done at the end of this month. I am not sure about my spring break schedule so I will get back to you on that.

Matt

 

[yamahaSHO]

SHO--ripper:
Does you water pump leak? if it ain't broke don't fix it thumbs_u

I must disagree with this as well. You have to tear the front end damn near apart to get to the thing. Might as well change it because it will leak. Mine leaked at 58k miles

bbeechsho:
I say if you're already doing the timing belt, you might as well do the waterpump, cps, and crank seal. Cause its a pain to get to all of that.

thumbs_u Well said thumbs_u


oh_SHO I have some pictures and info on the 60k on page 2 of my web page.

 

[Levand16]

jasonty:
Hmm... San Antonio eh? heh heh... You'll be hearing from me again... wink These motors look like a dirty b@stard to pull out!

How far are you from SA... I don't find too many people in the San Antonio area that into SHO as much as I am. There are a few in town but soccer moms drive them and I'd be willing to bet none of them have had a 60k or 120k!

 

[Detenator]

I am a poor college student as well and i did the timing belt a few months ago by myself. All i can say is, it is not impossible, and we are all here to give advice. I say go for it, you might surprise yourself.

 

[haydenm315]

I was able to do the 60k and I had never taken a motor apart before in my life. I was under constant scrutiny by both my parents, brother, friends, etc. My no good part breaking friend was even writing grafitti about the car never running again with a pencil on my shock tower. While I was in there I even swapped in some race cams and underdrive pullies for some added go. It's recommended that you shell out the money to get a factory helms manual. They are around 80 bucks new. They're cheaper on the internet but I had trouble finding an auction so I had to buy it new. Once you figure out what you're doing, it's not extremely difficult. You will need both 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches to avoid stripping threads. I stripped a thread and had to use a helicoil kit. It seems to have worked well. I took the motor apart a few thousand after the surgery and it didn't back out any.

 

[sdpatt]

Look here for a list of the possible replacement parts, their prices and sources. I would be happy to send you a detailed procedure on how to disassemble the upper end of the engine to perform the valve gapping if you would provide an email address.

<small>[ March 07, 2003, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>

 

[IAS92SHO]

Opening the hood it might look a little intimidating, but its actually more time consuming than anything. I ordered the SHO Shop Shim kit which had all the necessary tools and shims for the valve service. However I returned the kit over a month ago and still have not gotten my $450 deposite back. As far as the front of the motor I would replace the water pump, my previous 2 SHO's leaked around 90K. I was able to get a new pump, all new belts, gaskets, tps, cps, wires, plugs for about $600. I used the shotimes right up, which is good for the tear down, but really leaves you helpless once everything is apart. Do a search, and there is a ton of great info. Things i would make sure to do:
Label all you vaccum and coolant lines
Get a bunch of ziplock bags and put your nuts and bolts in'm, and label the bag were they go
Rotate crank to make sure TB is on correctly (search)
Setup TB tensioner properly (search)
Get the motorcraft wires and plugs (do not use AC Rapid fires, previous owner had them in mine, not pretty)
Invest in a torque wrench
Have a buddy or two around when you go to torque down the crank bolt

Good Luck

 

[oh_SHO]

Scott,

I will take all the info I can get. My e-mail is [email protected] How important is it to replace CPS? I am still running the original w/130K. Thanks,

Matt

<small>[ March 07, 2003, 04:12 PM: Message edited by: oh_SHO ]</small>

 

[Zap]

I'd be glad to help, too! I'm here in Cinci as well, with 2 SHO's!

~Chris