New SHO

[Michael R. Rudel]

I just today purchased a 1993 Taurus SHO MTX 3.0L.

I paid $4500 for it. It is loaded and has every option, JBL sound, leather, moonroof, power seats windows mirrors and locks, remote keyless entry, CD player and cassette, anti-lock, and anything else you could imagine.

It has 93,000 miles on it. The clutch, tires, and brakes are all new. Everything else is original, and oil change receipts exist from the very first one every 3000 miles.

It was owned and driven by one adult woman. It was her baby, it was not ragged on. We talked for 30 minutes before I purchased it and she was very reluctant to let it go to me, as it is only my second car (I'm only 18). She was very concerned with how it would be treated.

It has had dealer service from the day it was purchased.

My question is: what should I have checked out on it? I'm on very limited funding here. I spent more on this car then I should have, because I fell in love with it. It is beautiful. She used sun visors front and back every time it was parked. The leather interior does not have a single scratch. It was washed and waxred regularly, even the doorjambs and inside the trunk look new. There are maybe 5 rock chips on the car total, all of them small. The paint is just starting to crack around the moonroof.

From what I've read on the Intrenet about this car, it sounds like I have should have the timing belt and valves checked out. I'm capable of doing both myself, the valve-job is easy and sounds like it is nessecary. I can't find any record of it being done to the car, so I'm thinking it should.

Is there anything else major that is known to happen around this age/mileage? It was garage-kept in the winters, so it has never seen snow. I can't think of anything else - the transmission is smooth and there isn't a rattle bump or squeak from anywhere, including the breaks and suspension.

Any comments would be appreciated!

 

[SHONUT91]

Welcome to the forum first off. Sounds like the car is in great shape.The only thing I can think of is,you may want check with your local ford dealer and see if the car has had any recalls performed on it.I know that in the snow belt all taurusses had a recal for sub-frame mounts.Sounds like you have the rest of the real important stuff covered,just make sure you get used to working on you own car it will save you a ton of money in labor later on.
Enjoy your ride and if you need any help we are all here for ya. thumbs_u

 

[pete c]

Sounds like you aren't afraid to wrench on it. Good. You will.

I too am the proud new owner(june) of a black 93 MTX with all the bells and whistles. Mine is not in as pristine condition. It's got slightly less mileage (89K when bought) and got in a minor altercation with a joisy barrier. But it's all bolt on stuff, easy fix. I paid a grand and I figure it is about another grand away from SHOroom condition.

Sounds like the previous owner was meticulous about documentation (mine wasn't ). If she had every oil change receipt, she would of undoubtedly kept a 1500 dollar, giv'er take a few, 60k maintenance receipt. So, if it ain't there, it weren't done.

As a newbie to this board, the best advice I can give is read every single post by sdpatt. Listen to everything he says. It is the SHO gospel. He seems like a fairly bright cookie. He's smart enough to know when ford/yamaha did something right and leave it alone unlike some of our hot rod tuners here. You guys know who you are wink .

In a month or two when you are done reading this, you'll be a certified sho know-it-all like me .

My list of stuff to do with shos of our mileage.

1. Full 60k, water pump, front main seal, cps, valve lash check,

2. Flush, replace all fluids. Use castrol 10-30 just like our hero scott does. Don't forget coolant, tranny fluid, brake fluid. I still haven't done the brake or trannyfluids.

3. Add 150 hp wet nitrous. Actually that is only for the ATX drivers so they can blow theirs up quicker and get a doug lewis built slushbox.

 

[pete c]

SHONUT,

Is connecticut considered rust belt? It ought to be. I gotta see if I qualify for that subframe recall.

 

[luigisho]

pete c call your local dealer. I think if the roads get routinely salted throughout the winter that area is generally included.

<small>[ August 12, 2002, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Go here to look up US recalls: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/Index.cfm

Steve
89

 

[pete c]

I forgot to mention another bit of SHO preventive maintenance.

Rod bearings. Since your car appears to be a rare non-beat on model, it prolly don't need'em. But, it's worth the peace of mind to know they're good. I did mine soon after I bought it. I still have what seems to be a bit of rod knock during cold start up, but, it may be the valves. I will be doing them in a few weeks.

It'll run ya about 70 bucks including all new clevite bearings and oil pan gasket. A word of advice. Go out and buy a can of pb blaster and car ramps, if you don't already have then. Get the ones with the long ramps which won't trash the spoiler. If you already got ramps like me, get a couple of 6 foot long 2X10s. They make adequate ramp extensions. Drive the car up on the ramps and spray all the manifold to y-pipe bolts with the pb blaster. Repeat this everyday for a week or so. I did it for 3 days and still busted off a stud. Also use some heat. Propane's OK, MAP gas better, when you break the nuts loose. I didn't on the one I busted. It doubled the rod bearing replacement job easily.

 

[Michael R. Rudel]

How hard is the 3.0 to work on? I'm experienced at working on cars and engines (and my dad designed most of the transmission in the ATXs, so he knows the car pretty well). I've worked on many a Gen II Taurus, my parents owned 3, but never any engine work and never a SHO. How long would you expect a full 60k to take me? I'm just curious, and I appreciate all the help and welcomes. I've been reading up a lot on SHOs, and the thing is, I didn't know there was this big of a following before I bought it. I just fell in love with the car, I've wanted a SHO since I was 10, never knowing HOW fast or exclusive they were.

I'm pretty much broke right now, but I'll be saving up money to work on the car - I'm going to call the previous owner and ask about a mechanic and the 60k, see what she says. Even tho I'm not afraid to work on it, having a good SHO mechanic is probably a good idea, anyways?

<small>[ August 11, 2002, 12:22 PM: Message edited by: Michael R. Rudel ]</small>

 

[pete c]

So, yer pop is a ford tranny enjineer, huh? Can you do me a favor? Next time you see him, give him a boot in the ass for me and the bzillion other sho/slo atx victims. I realize that the engineers could probably do a decent tranny if the bean counters let them, but, ya gotta blame somebody. If yer dad was one of the bean counters, I would just ask you to **** him!

Good luck with the 60K research, but, I would think anybody **** enough to have every oil receipt wouldn't let something like that slip away.

If you are strapped for cash, I would recommend atleast popping the intake and cam covers off. Have a look at the valves. It will cost you a bit of RTV and time to do this.

I say check the valves first because this is the one part of the 60k that will lead to expensive damage (worn cam lobes) if neglected. If any of the front stuff is going, such as front main seal,wp or t-belt, the worst thing likely to happen is a temporarily stranded car from a drowned cps. Even a t-belt won't do expensive damage as this is not an interference motor.Also check the plug wells for oil. If there is oil, and money is tight, I recommend you dab a bit of rtv on the well seals and hope it works. Worst thing that will happen is you'll be back at it replacing the obscenely expensive cam cover gasket set, about 75 bones.

And since money's tight, don't uise the expensive mobil one stuff for your earl change. Use castrol 10-30 with the motorcrap FL-1A filter. No it is not the recommended filter, but, it fits fine and is twice as big. And it's about 3 bucks can't say that for many sho parts.

 

[luigisho]

You shouldn't have too much trouble doing most of the stuff yourself. If funds are short and the car was well kept there shouldn't be too much to worry about. Do the timing belt if it hasn't been done at the scheduled interval. Some parts are rather expensive and you should know this up front. Full 60k service parts can run a few hundred dollars themselves so make logical choices as to what you think is necessary and what can wait. Turning wrenches on these cars isn't that hard but it does get a little cramped in there. Also, use torque wrenches, especially on top end work.

Welcome aboard! thumbs_u

 

[V6&V8SHO]

My ATX failed at only 66,000miles. Not a great design, but oh well im the fool that bought an atx. All atx SHO's should be converted to Mtx's.

 

[sdpatt]

pete c:
As a newbie to this board, the best advice I can give is read every single post by sdpatt. Listen to everything he says. It is the SHO gospel. He seems like a fairly bright cookie. He's smart enough to know when ford/yamaha did something right and leave it alone unlike some of our hot rod tuners here. You guys know who you are wink .

That is one of the coolest, kindest things anyone has said about me lately. It made me laugh out loud. Thanks.

Michael, welcome to the SHO Forum and the joys and pains of SHO ownership. The way to keep the car on the road and not in the shop is to leave the engine stock, replace the parts that wear out and perform the preventative maintenance.

Your 3.0L engine requires the spark plugs be replaced, the valve gapping checked and adjusted and the timing and accessory belts replaced. There are several other parts that are easily accessed during theses services and due to the age and miles on your car, you should consider replacing many of them. You can read the Forum archives regarding the services and parts replacements suggested during the "60K" maintenance. I have even posted the part numbers and sources for the lowest price on these parts.

You can check out the pictures of several of the cars I have serviced to get an idea of what is inside the Yamaha engine. Click on the link below and enter your password: service.

http://www.photoisland.com/servlet/GuestLogin?USERNAME=sdpatterson

With the use of good oil (Castrol GTX), regular (3000 mile) oil changes and no engine bearing abuse (low speed lugging, lots of clutch drops), I don't think that the rod bearings need to be considered as maintenance items. Mine have weathered well for the duration with any noticeable knocking. Check the mileage in my signature.

Again, welcome to the SHO.

<small>[ August 11, 2002, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>

 

[Bluto]

Oh man you guys are gonna hear from me a lot! I too am a new SHO owner. 94 atx 125,000 no records. It seems to be running great. No smoke, no knock or rattles. I am about to do the 96 brake update and plugs wires, valve cover gaskets(oil in the wells). What a way to start(rippin off the intake). I have been reading the forums..thanks for the info. One question:
This is a daily driver for me, about 400 miles a week. Is this car going to be a nightmare? I have read it can be a 400k mile engine.

 

[luigisho]

Bluto, get out in front of the maintenance work and keep your eye on the tranny and you should be fine.

 

[pete c]

Scott,

Original bearings? And you tow a decent sized boat? WOW!!!!!

BTW, what do you consider lugging. My general rule is, on flat ground, light throttle keep it above 1200 or so. I will roll through stop signs in second gear when it may get down close to a grand, but I am very light on the throttle at this time. Putting around level ground I usual shift at a little better than 2 grand. Going up hills I will hold off till close to three.

Of course in the presence of gaudy decalled, fart canned, winged civics all shift below 6 grand are forbidden. It's in the official SHO driving technique guide.

<small>[ August 12, 2002, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: pete c ]</small>

 

[sho_can]

Michael,
welcome to the SHO forum, I to am a junior member, and have learned a lot from surfing this forum, if your willing to put in the wrench time, and learn what to do and what not to do I think you'll be fine. SHO can be very trying some times, but I still love mine, expecially above 4500rpm got love the secondaries!

I was under the impression that lugging it was full throtle under 2k, is this right? oh and question on the recall sub-fram mounts, do you just go and see what recalls have been done?

Just curious, live in the biggest salt state possible!!!! SLC (Salt Lake City)!!!!

Thanks all, and wecome Michael

 

[SHONUT91]

Take your vin# to your local ford dealer and they should be able to tell you what recalls have been performed on your vehicle.

 

[DoC-JoneS]

i'm also looking at getting a 60K done on my newly acquired '93 ATX. It's had meticilous maintenince done to it but the guy probably didn't know a thing about 60k's. I'm thinking of buying the parts myself and getting the dealership to do it as part of a timing belt/ water pump replacement. I know i'm going to be ordering a whole lot of valve shims but is there anything else i need before going through with the work.

 

[pete c]

As a rule, mechanics will not let you buy your own parts and put them in for you. They make a nice little bit on the part mark ups. They will use the excuse that if they are gonna guarantee the work, they want to ensure the part quality.

If you have someone else do the valves, he should already have a set of shims. If you really want to have this done right and have the time and place to do the work, learn to do it yourself.

 

[Michael R. Rudel]

Any SHO owners around Ann Arbor, MI that would be willing to help out with a complete 60k?