New Member Few ?

[torinogt]

First Hello,
I just picked up an 89 Black SHO with
77K orig miles. I know that the 60,000 mile service has not been done yet but the car runs flawless. No valve chatter, knocks, tics or anything, uses absolutely no oil and has Mobil 1 in it. I was wondering could it go a few more thousand without the tune up. I dont mean 10K but maybe 4K will this wait or should it be done right now? I want this car to last because it is very nice. I know the timing belt was inspected and was good as the service records show. There is also a slight grind on the front passenger side which I dont think is brakes when I turn. Any input appreciated. Bill

 

[TYSHO]

As long as it's been lubed good throughout it's past and has fresh oil now, I don't see a problem. Just don't add any additives to the oil.

 

[fricker66]

My compliments on the fine 89. My 89 didn't have the valve adj. until 88k and IIRC only one of the shims were out of spec. I don't feel that there would be a problem with taking it a few more miles before tearing into the upper 60k.

I'd advise that the source of the grinding be found. Could potentially be a wheel bearing.

Post some pics of your mint 89. Take care of it and welcome to the forum.

 

[MyFirstSHO]

Wow nice find! And Welcome!! With only 77k original miles, I would not be worried about a 60k tune up, I'm not saying it doesn't need one, but it will probably go another 60k easily til it will start to *need* one. Trust me, these motors are tough, I once had a friend go 180K miles on a 90 with no 60K service!! ****, my 113k 89 SHO never had a 60K, and I dont have any knocks ticks or valve chatter (yet!) and I run my bitch hard! Anyways nice find thumb and just keep using Mobil 1 5w-30 with either mobil 1 or k&n oil filters.

 

[Bizzy]

Bill, welcome to the forum. Good to have you aboard. thumb

Sounds like you've found yourself a nice ride. Stick around here to learn more about it so you can keep it that way.

While the 60k proceedure is a very vital part to aid in keeping the motor in top order, the car will not cease to function at 61k miles because it hasn't been peformed. My 91 had in excess of 136k on it before top 60k (valve lash adjustment) was done and over 160k before the timing belt and water pump were replaced. I suppose I am not the model SHO citizen in that respect, but I owned the car for 2 years before I ever found this place and this wonderful group of people.

Just a few notes to live by: Do regular oil changes and fluid checks...do have your 60k proceedures done as well as checking the rod and main bearings from time to time and you will have many years and miles of pure pleasure out of your car.

For the brakes, check the front brake pads firstly, spin the wheel while the car is jacked up to see if you hear any rubbing noises. Check also that the shield behind the caliper is not rubbing on the rotor. If it is just push on it to bend it back a smidge. Check your CV joint boots to make sure they're not ripped or torn. While the tire is mounted on the car, grab either side of the tire and try to wiggle it. If the bearings are starting to go bad it will wigggle back and forth a bit.

Best of luck and keep us posted. thumb

 

[autobahnsho]

Congrats on your new ride. The forum members here have been the best help imaginable here for me!

Does the grind while turning happen when "coasting" or accelerating?

I'd look at the wheel bearings and CV joint, my GUESS (i'm no mechanic! ) is the CV joint. A lot of members have suggested just replacing the axle w/ a nice (low-cost) replacement.

Oh- and don't worry about it if the Search Nazis try to get you. If you ask a question that has been answered 1,000 times you'll be told "Do a search!" If you use the search and certain key words you can find pretty much any info on any subject.

 

[torinogt]

Thanks for the info guys they are great help to me. I have to get it cleaned up first before the pics. I just had the exhaust done yesterday with some duals out the back. I just changed the oil 2 days ago with Mobil 1 5w-30. The car is very nice but not perfect. There are a few scratches here and there and a couple small tears in the interior but its solid. The guy I got it from was the original owner and really didnt want to get rid of her but when I came along he knew the car would be taken car of. When you live in the rust capitol of the world Buffalo NY you dont see many 80s cars of any kind not rotted to death. I have a stable of cars but this is my first SHO. I figured I would ask the experts here before I started getting my hands dirty. I will check out the wheel bearings later and keep you guys posted. I am going to do the 60K service after winter then which is nice because we all know how money is around Christmas time with a wife and kid. I bought a video on ebay giving you step by step directions on the service also. Anyone use it yet? I have to say this SHO is as fun as my 98 1/2 Contour SVT but I sure hope its not a lemon like that one was LOL. By the way if anyone has a Ford Ranchero I run a website for them www.ranchero.us stop by and say HI.

The Stable
2000 Taurus SEL everything but adjustible pedals
1993 Mustang LX 5.0 5 speed
1989 Taurus SHO 77K Bone stock
1973 Ranchero 500
1973 Gran Torino Sport Fastback Q code 4 speed
1971 Torino GT Fastback

 

[torinogt]

Thanks I try to keep the SEARCH GESTAPO off of me by searching first LOL. Off to post the Vin and stuff thanks again Bill

 

[fricker66]

Nice stable of cars indeed. My father has his original 1968 Torino GT fastback. I'll try to post a pic later today.

The video you refer to is a good one. Should be a lot of help to you when doing the 60k. Be sure to shop around and ask questions on the best pricing for the various parts. Seems that the lowest price option is constantly changing.

Enjoy.

 

[IT-Purrrs]

Welcome to the forum Bill,

From my under standing and reading on this forum i believe that the 60k service is totally dependent on how you drive your car. If you drive your car hard, race it on a track, and on a drag strip I think that you should do your 60k service close to or around 60k-70k miles. If your drive your car somewhat light and take extremly good care of it, changing your oil and other fluid levels regurarly there should be no problems of this motor going over 90k miles with out the service. Although I and many other people would not strongly recomend this, it is definitly possible. Just to be cautious around 70k-80k miles, it might be a good idea to start saving and gathering parts for your complete 60k service. Visit www.shotimes.com for more information on parts and gaskets and things you will need to purchase. On my '91 I am almost done with the complete 60k service with 108k miles on the clock. The car has been down for a while because of a water pump and crank position sensor failure, because these things were never replaced before. Reaching 100k miles is aorund when all these Ford parts start to go bad while the Yamaha parts seem to get even better. Dont be cautious on driving the car hard, have fun with it because these motors love hi-reving.

Chris

 

[torinogt]

Thanks Chris I know the Original owner was an older gentlemen with no kids. He said he never beat or raced it and with looking at it I have to tend to believe him. This is going to be my second car and not beat on either. I will not baby it by any means but I wont constantly shift it at the redline either. I have some other cars for that LOL. I bought it because it was in great shape, low mileage, one owner and ran and drove great. I want to make it last for a few years so I know mantenience is the key. I have priced some wire sets already but thats about it. I will look at the link for the stuff also. I will try to get some pics up later if it stops snowing. Thanks for all the help. Bill

 

[sdpatt]

Welcome to the Forum. I can see from your list of cars that you are a dedicated Ford man. I go along with the idea that you can comfortably extend the vavlve gapping interval to well beyond 60,000 miles, but I would be more cautious about the timing belt. It is a rubber part and has stretched from age and use. The lengthening and aging of the belt have effectively ******** the valve timing a small amount from the designed settings. You will feel a restoration of the power back to OEM levels or above with the improved exhaust. You can see the minimal cost of the timing belt (about $35) and other normal maintenance parts during the top end (valve gap) and front end (timing belt) 60K services at this topic.

The Y-pipe section with its 90 degree bend on the rear bank down tube is the biggest restriction in the 3.0L SHO's exhaust system.

Regarding the grinding noise in the suspension, a closer inspection could be very helpful. You can check for worn tie rod ends (can be relubed with a syringe through the rubber boot) or upper spring pad wear against the inside of the strut tower. The early SHOs had an interference problem if the tops of the struts were moved outboard to reduce the amount of negative camber.

You can tell if this has been done by examining the upper strut adjustment plates and seeing if the three spot welds have been drilled or cut out. If the noise happens while turning and sounds like rubber to metal, then this may be the cause. Use of silicone grease in the area of interference can silence the noise.

Again, a closer inspection will determine if it is the steering linkage, the spring pad, the strut bearing (top of the strut) or other part is the source of the noise. The wheel bearings can be a source, but they usually last a good 200,000+ miles and don't wait until a turn to show themselves.

 

[MotoArts]

torinogt:

The Stable
2000 Taurus SEL everything but adjustible pedals
1993 Mustang LX 5.0 5 speed
1989 Taurus SHO 77K Bone stock
1973 Ranchero 500
1973 Gran Torino Sport Fastback Q code 4 speed
1971 Torino GT Fastback

My kind of guy! thumb
Welcome!

 

[torinogt]

Here is a quick pic more to come.
http://groups.msn.com/NewYorkTorinoRancheroOwnersClub/thesho.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=83