New SHO Owner need advice

[Sayow]

Hello everyone, just purchased a 93 ATX SHO Sedan with 70k miles all options, roof, dual power seats, climate control, power everything, etc. for $3800. Its a one owner (older lady...really in great condition save for the driver seat (2 tears and some wear). Is that a good price?

Anyway, I was worried about the transmission in a 93 after reading some posts here, so I took it to a friend who runs an AAMCO to look it over and let me get under it to look around. For 70k miles, this car looks great, but we did notice a very small oil leak (didnt even drip, but a light film was present) in what appeared to be the rear main seal (driver side back of the block at the bottom). The transmission seems to run fine (chirpped 1st and 2nd gear when i test drove) but I did notice that at highway speed upon acceleration there was a bit of a delay / lag (maybe a slip?) between the engine rev and it accelerating.

My questions are as follows -

Does the oil leak I mentioned seem to be a rear main or something else? and what is the cost of a rear main seal replacement? (I am not much of a mechani

Does the transmission scenario above sound like a problem? What else can i do to test the trans?

Can anyone recommend someone near Kansas city that has knowledge of the SHO and I can take to for the 60k and any future needs?

Would you guys recommened taking it to a ford dealer, or a local mechanic with a list of whats needed in the 60k to save money?

And finally, can anyone recommend some good front seat covers that will accomodate the lumbar etc?

Thanks

 

[fricker66]

Not much help with the trans but I believe there's a Kansas City mechanic in the SHOtimes Hall of Fame. Check it out on shotimes.com I'll let others with more experience help you with the ATX issue. As for the rear seal, if it's not leaking that bad, wait till the trans is pulled to have the seal replaced. It's a much higher labor cost than part cost. I do believe we would all agree on avoiding the dealership for most work. Welcome to the board. Nice to have a fellow Missourian.

 

[DemonNeno]

Not that I'd be able to cover all your bases here, BUT(!!) does that trans have a shift kit?? If it doesn't, it shouldn't be chirping. The shift lag, depending on how bad and whether it's lag or the convertor slipping, is normal in most cases. You can get a chip to reprogram the shift and the shift blip (lag between shifting from one gear to the other) on the trans.

I don't see why a leaking rear main would effect the performance of the trans. It's not like it's squirting anywhere!! (or i hope it isn't)

Ford dealers will absolutely REEM you for the 60K service and I can't recommend their service for anything mroe then screwing on my front license plate.. ****, even that they might screw up!! There ARE some recommended dealers, which i won't bash. But for the most part they SUCK!

 

[SHOMEUP]

Frist i hope u enjoy ur SHO- u will soon learn there alot of fun if the maintenance is all kept up- nehow i can help with the tranny problem alittle bit more- cuz i had a 94 SHO and it had only 55k on it...and when i test drove the car it chirped alot in the first and second gears and it changed so fast between gears( to my surprize i didnt know until 3 months down the road it had a chip in it) but i soon notice very quick that at highway speeds or even going like 35-40 mph i would floor it or try to pass and the tranny would slip changing gears it wasnt so bad at first...but as soon i hit 60k...my tranny slipped so bad it started ot **** the engine thats when i calle dmy dad up and said hey order me a new tranny- warrenties r nice they shipped me one from japan put it in and cost me 50 bux..nehow my advice is take it easy on the tranny im sure its going- and second th eleak might affect it somewhat but im pretty sure the tranny might be on its way out- hope u find a good mechanic to put it in and save u money somehow..hope i didnt discourage u alot but these cars cost alot for repairs..and trannys r most commmon for going...and if u do have a chip in there which probably u do- that puts more stress on it- which made mine go at 55k...it was so bad i would be driving like 60 and gun it and try to beat my buddys sho and it would slip all the way to 7 grand and than slowly kick in while ur smelling burnt tranny fluid not a good smell...thats when i said enough new tranny...nehow goodluck man