Picked up a wrecked 97 for the motor - what else to keep?

[Beartooth]

Greetings, and my apologies for dropping in without being able to say if I'll stick around. I'm here because I've always loved the SHO engines - just too pretty to ignore - and always figured I couldn't pass up a SHO (car or just engine) if it fell into my hands at the right price. Well, this might be Copart getting me in trouble again, but one popped up for sale near me, and it's now mine.





Obviously the car is unrepairable, practically speaking. I have no idea of the mechanical condition since I didn't get a chance to inspect it, but I can't imagine it slipped a cam sprocket THEN got into the accident... I pick it up in a day or two, and I plan to pull the engine and transmission, plug everything up, and stash them until I have something to put them in. I've got a ton of ideas to swap it into something, but if nothing else, it wouldn't be hard to find a lessor 3rd-gen (or maybe 4th?) to turn into a SHO... That engine would look amazing under a translucent cover in an Fiero or something, but I'll have to give myself a deadline on the exotic swap ideas. I have the facilities to pull off a Frankenstein swap, but it's going to take a major commitment (Lord knows the forums are littered with projects that go nowere), so I'll just create another SHO if it sits too long.

Anyway, for now I need to strip everything worth saving and haul the rest off shortly. The list of "save" items (outside of the drivetrain) includes rims, rocker panels, front seats, and instrument cluster (I may use it if I swap to another chassis). What else is unique and worth saving though? Like I said, the bulk of it has to go, but I'm willing to hold onto some bigger pieces if they'd be useful to someone. Finally, I don't want to step on any toes posting parts for sale in the wrong section, so I'll pay up and create a thread in the classifieds section once I've got stuff pulled.

 

[Qshiplvr]

Greetings, and my apologies for dropping in without being able to say if I'll stick around. I'm here because I've always loved the SHO engines - just too pretty to ignore - and always figured I couldn't pass up a SHO (car or just engine) if it fell into my hands at the right price. Well, this might be Copart getting me in trouble again, but one popped up for sale near me, and it's now mine.

View attachment 97942

View attachment 97943

Obviously the car is unrepairable, practically speaking. I have no idea of the mechanical condition since I didn't get a chance to inspect it, but I can't imagine it slipped a cam sprocket THEN got into the accident... I pick it up in a day or two, and I plan to pull the engine and transmission, plug everything up, and stash them until I have something to put them in. I've got a ton of ideas to swap it into something, but if nothing else, it wouldn't be hard to find a lessor 3rd-gen (or maybe 4th?) to turn into a SHO... That engine would look amazing under a translucent cover in an Fiero or something, but I'll have to give myself a deadline on the exotic swap ideas. I have the facilities to pull off a Frankenstein swap, but it's going to take a major commitment (Lord knows the forums are littered with projects that go nowere), so I'll just create another SHO if it sits too long.

Anyway, for now I need to strip everything worth saving and haul the rest off shortly. The list of "save" items (outside of the drivetrain) includes rims, rocker panels, front seats, and instrument cluster (I may use it if I swap to another chassis). What else is unique and worth saving though? Like I said, the bulk of it has to go, but I'm willing to hold onto some bigger pieces if they'd be useful to someone. Finally, I don't want to step on any toes posting parts for sale in the wrong section, so I'll pay up and create a thread in the classifieds section once I've got stuff pulled.

You need to pull the ABS module, because that is a SHO ONLY piece, and YOU NEED IT TO MAKE YOUR AX4N shift correctly. Here's my post: https://shoforum.com/threads/gen3-s...-also-eatc-instrument-cluster-refurbs.147605/

 

[luigisho]

The radio/integrated climate control unit in the dash has a habit of going bad. Might want to keep it as a backup if nothing else (EATC) as mentioned above. Agree with ABS module also. Computer.
Since the radio face is integrated with climate control...if you want the rest of the stereo system, the majority of it is in the trunk. amp/tuner if I remember correctly

 

[Beartooth]

Great tips, thanks guys! I would never have figured the ABS module would be unique to the car. I plan to pull everything that interfaces with the engine and/or transmission, within reason; obviously I want to hold onto everything it'll take to make it run again. It's kind of tempting to grab everything that could be used again (doors, windows, interior), but I might not have enough time and storage space. I can stash stuff in the trusses of my shop though, and toss it later - not that de-cluttering is a skill of mine... Anyway, I was going to get it today, but ran out of time trying to fix a bad circuit in the wiring to the trailer hookup, so I'm going for it tomorrow.

 

[Qshiplvr]

Great tips, thanks guys! I would never have figured the ABS module would be unique to the car. I plan to pull everything that interfaces with the engine and/or transmission, within reason; obviously I want to hold onto everything it'll take to make it run again. It's kind of tempting to grab everything that could be used again (doors, windows, interior), but I might not have enough time and storage space. I can stash stuff in the trusses of my shop though, and toss it later - not that de-cluttering is a skill of mine... Anyway, I was going to get it today, but ran out of time trying to fix a bad circuit in the wiring to the trailer hookup, so I'm going for it tomorrow.

I forgot something else...I noticed that one of the exhaust tips in the photo looks creased...not sure if repairable, but again, the exhaust tips are SHO ONLY so you should try to keep those as much as possible.

 

[Qshiplvr]

The radio/integrated climate control unit in the dash has a habit of going bad. Might want to keep it as a backup if nothing else (EATC) as mentioned above. Agree with ABS module also. Computer.
Since the radio face is integrated with climate control...if you want the rest of the stereo system, the majority of it is in the trunk. amp/tuner if I remember correctly

If equipped w/ the upgraded sound system, your SHO should have a mid-rear deck subwoofer that is also SHO only, so when you pull the audio equipment from the trunk, also grab that sub hanging down from the center of the package tray

 

[Qshiplvr]

Greetings, and my apologies for dropping in without being able to say if I'll stick around. I'm here because I've always loved the SHO engines - just too pretty to ignore - and always figured I couldn't pass up a SHO (car or just engine) if it fell into my hands at the right price. Well, this might be Copart getting me in trouble again, but one popped up for sale near me, and it's now mine.

View attachment 97942

View attachment 97943

Obviously the car is unrepairable, practically speaking. I have no idea of the mechanical condition since I didn't get a chance to inspect it, but I can't imagine it slipped a cam sprocket THEN got into the accident... I pick it up in a day or two, and I plan to pull the engine and transmission, plug everything up, and stash them until I have something to put them in. I've got a ton of ideas to swap it into something, but if nothing else, it wouldn't be hard to find a lessor 3rd-gen (or maybe 4th?) to turn into a SHO... That engine would look amazing under a translucent cover in an Fiero or something, but I'll have to give myself a deadline on the exotic swap ideas. I have the facilities to pull off a Frankenstein swap, but it's going to take a major commitment (Lord knows the forums are littered with projects that go nowere), so I'll just create another SHO if it sits too long.

Anyway, for now I need to strip everything worth saving and haul the rest off shortly. The list of "save" items (outside of the drivetrain) includes rims, rocker panels, front seats, and instrument cluster (I may use it if I swap to another chassis). What else is unique and worth saving though? Like I said, the bulk of it has to go, but I'm willing to hold onto some bigger pieces if they'd be useful to someone. Finally, I don't want to step on any toes posting parts for sale in the wrong section, so I'll pay up and create a thread in the classifieds section once I've got stuff pulled.

Of course, you are most likely aware of this resource, but https://www.v8sho.com/SHO/96shohome.html is a GREAT library of reference stuff for Gen3 SHO!

 

[E1]

If equipped w/ the upgraded sound system, your SHO should have a mid-rear deck subwoofer that is also SHO only, so when you pull the audio equipment from the trunk, also grab that sub hanging down from the center of the package tray

Only '96's had the JBL system with the subwoofer.
'97's had the premium sound system minus the center speaker.

 

[E1]

just throwing a stinkbomb in the room - how would one adapt the SHO ABS sensors to whatever car this enthusiast might wish to put them into?
The tone ring has a dedicated number of teeth on it, which means one has one choice for tone ring diameter.

 

[Qshiplvr]

just throwing a stinkbomb in the room - how would one adapt the SHO ABS sensors to whatever car this enthusiast might wish to put them into?
The tone ring has a dedicated number of teeth on it, which means one has one choice for tone ring diameter.

So taking this thought thread further...if the AX4N tranny is controlled by the SHO only ABS controller, would then that mean that only the V8 SHO engine and no auto? I think someone adapted a 5 spd manual from MX6/Probe to work w/ the Gen3, so maybe that route?

 

[Qshiplvr]

Only '96's had the JBL system with the subwoofer.
'97's had the premium sound system minus the center speaker.

Eric's the expert...I stand corrected.

 

[Beartooth]

Hmmm, good to know about the tone rings. What the drivetrain ends up in, and whether the AX4N comes along (assuming it doesn't end up in another Taurus) is very much up in the air... I love the idea of putting it in something mid-engine with a stick shift, but whether I find a good candidate and am able to devote the effort required are open questions. Meanwhile, one priority is making sure I don't miss anything I need to make it function as it was delivered from Ford. There's always stand-alone EFI, if need be, but might as well keep the option of the factory setup if at all possible.

Anyway, it's in my yard now! Ironically (I think), it was hauled home by another '97 Ford - of a very different type, but also with a V8... of a very different type.





You can't see it, but one of the tail pipes is intact (on the side you're looking at), but the other is pretty badly mangled. One might be able to straighten it, but at best it'd only look good from a distance. Oh well. The tires on it are only a year old (2025 date code) - Yay! But they're Wal-Mart tires (Douglas brand) - boo!



The interior is in really nice shape except for the airbag damage, obviously, and the driver's seat is bent back pretty badly from the accident. It might still be worth keeping the interior, but the biggest missing piece (a good driver's seat) is the one that's also hardest to find. I'll have to think about that one... It does have the Mach audio, but just plain old speakers in the back; I wouldn't have tossed the subwoofer, even if it didn't have much on aftermarket stuff. I'll probably keep the front speakers; not sure about the rears since they look like probably the same ones I pulled out of my truck (which I upgraded from, but I held onto for no good reason).



Completely useless and probably worthless, but it was cool finding a Ford cell phone! I'm guessing they're not rare enough to be collectible, but I bet the take rate wasn't very high, even on top models like the SHO...

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to try and fire it up. I found the negative battery wire has been cut, and when I touched the ground wire to the negative terminal, the horn went off. I'll pull the fuse and reconnect everything tomorrow. I'm also guessing the fuel pump inertia switch is tripped and the cooling system is compromised, but if I can hear it run before I pull it out to ensure it's not hiding some major issues, that'll be a relief. Once that's confirmed, it'll be time to start hacking and yanking (with the appropriate care, of course). It's still a shame this car got wrecked. It wasn't pristine to start with, but it seems to have been well cared for - not badly faded or trashed.

 

[Qshiplvr]

Hmmm, good to know about the tone rings. What the drivetrain ends up in, and whether the AX4N comes along (assuming it doesn't end up in another Taurus) is very much up in the air... I love the idea of putting it in something mid-engine with a stick shift, but whether I find a good candidate and am able to devote the effort required are open questions. Meanwhile, one priority is making sure I don't miss anything I need to make it function as it was delivered from Ford. There's always stand-alone EFI, if need be, but might as well keep the option of the factory setup if at all possible.

Anyway, it's in my yard now! Ironically (I think), it was hauled home by another '97 Ford - of a very different type, but also with a V8... of a very different type.

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View attachment 97961

You can't see it, but one of the tail pipes is intact (on the side you're looking at), but the other is pretty badly mangled. One might be able to straighten it, but at best it'd only look good from a distance. Oh well. The tires on it are only a year old (2025 date code) - Yay! But they're Wal-Mart tires (Douglas brand) - boo!

View attachment 97962

The interior is in really nice shape except for the airbag damage, obviously, and the driver's seat is bent back pretty badly from the accident. It might still be worth keeping the interior, but the biggest missing piece (a good driver's seat) is the one that's also hardest to find. I'll have to think about that one... It does have the Mach audio, but just plain old speakers in the back; I wouldn't have tossed the subwoofer, even if it didn't have much on aftermarket stuff. I'll probably keep the front speakers; not sure about the rears since they look like probably the same ones I pulled out of my truck (which I upgraded from, but I held onto for no good reason).

View attachment 97965

Completely useless and probably worthless, but it was cool finding a Ford cell phone! I'm guessing they're not rare enough to be collectible, but I bet the take rate wasn't very high, even on top models like the SHO...

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to try and fire it up. I found the negative battery wire has been cut, and when I touched the ground wire to the negative terminal, the horn went off. I'll pull the fuse and reconnect everything tomorrow. I'm also guessing the fuel pump inertia switch is tripped and the cooling system is compromised, but if I can hear it run before I pull it out to ensure it's not hiding some major issues, that'll be a relief. Once that's confirmed, it'll be time to start hacking and yanking (with the appropriate care, of course). It's still a shame this car got wrecked. It wasn't pristine to start with, but it seems to have been well cared for - not badly faded or trashed.

The front seats look like they're CLOTH???? That's pretty rare option, isn't it? I thought most all SHO's came with leather seats? Also, that Ford phone looks a lot like an Audiovox.

 

[E1]

So taking this thought thread further...if the AX4N tranny is controlled by the SHO only ABS controller, would then that mean that only the V8 SHO engine and no auto? I think someone adapted a 5 spd manual from MX6/Probe to work w/ the Gen3, so maybe that route?

To my knowledge, 2 V8's were converted to stick shift.

Scott K. did one with a (I believe) Mondeo transmission.
Ryan P. did one with the earlier generation MTX from a V6 SHO.

Both have moved on to new owners.

 

[venom]

To my knowledge, 2 V8's were converted to stick shift.

Scott K. did one with a (I believe) Mondeo transmission.
Ryan P. did one with the earlier generation MTX from a V6 SHO.

Both have moved on to new owners.

Howdy all Scott here .... I'd estimate 8 or 9 were converted to MTX. Im still planning to do another. I have the Getrag MMT-6 (6 speed MTX) from a Mondeo ST220 in the garage currently, and a 98 SHO with a gimpy ATX but Sadly i've had all of this for about 18 months now and haven't started...

 

[Beartooth]

We have a runner! All I had to do was re-connect the battery and reset the fuel pump inertia switch. It's making a whining noise that I think is the power steering pump, and it seems to have a slight misfire, but hopefully there's nothing significantly wrong with the engine. I'll probably do a compression test at some point and call it good if I don't see any weak cylinders. I do have a leakdown gauge too, but I'm not sure if that's worth much more than a compression test if the engine is cold. It definitely looks like there's no coolant, so I can't run it long enough to bring it up to temperature.

The front seats look like they're CLOTH???? That's pretty rare option, isn't it? I thought most all SHO's came with leather seats? Also, that Ford phone looks a lot like an Audiovox.

Yup, cloth interior. I dug into my old Standard Catalog of Ford, and if I'm reading it right, leather was optional on the upper trims, including the SHO. Even with that, it might have been a special order thing on the SHO: I know some configurations are very rare because Ford would send out cars like the SHO for dealer inventory pretty much loaded (probably most manufacturers did that with top trims and special editions). The phone definitely looks like the bag phones I remember a few people having when I was a kid. It does turn on, and if it's not too much of a pain, I'll probably see if I can hold onto it. Oh, and it's made in the US! When's the last time you saw that on a cell phone?

Howdy all Scott here .... I'd estimate 8 or 9 were converted to MTX. Im still planning to do another. I have the Getrag MMT-6 (6 speed MTX) from a Mondeo ST220 in the garage currently, and a 98 SHO with a gimpy ATX but Sadly i've had all of this for about 18 months now and haven't started...

Good to know it's been done at least! I'm a big third-pedal guy, and having a five or six speed would be a big plus on a SHO, or whatever car I might swap it into. It's just too bad Ford gave up on sticks with the gen III - although they did come back to them now and then; my Dad has a '14 Fusion with a stick, I think they were gone again in '15. So there's a strong preference, and I hear the AX4N was only "not as bad" as its predecessor, so that's another vote for a stick. Another possibility is that it ends up turned 90 degrees. The two cars I have thoughts of for that are a Porsche 924 (I've got the turbo variant which I plan to keep original, but if I find another - preferably a 924S, but maybe a 944) or a Mercedes 190E. Digging around v8sho.com, it seems the engine is pretty light (360lb, maybe even a little lighter with a custom intake and some other weight cutting), so coupled with something like a T-5 transmission, you could keep the weight gain minimal or even cut some weight. Of course, I'm not looking for a barn burner here; I've already concluded that it's a case where you're happy with what it can give - hopefully a little more than stock with a better exhaust, but 250ish HP - or you pick a different engine. But that's all for later. For now I just need to get it torn down and haul off what's not worth keeping.

 

[Qshiplvr]

We have a runner! All I had to do was re-connect the battery and reset the fuel pump inertia switch. It's making a whining noise that I think is the power steering pump, and it seems to have a slight misfire, but hopefully there's nothing significantly wrong with the engine. I'll probably do a compression test at some point and call it good if I don't see any weak cylinders. I do have a leakdown gauge too, but I'm not sure if that's worth much more than a compression test if the engine is cold. It definitely looks like there's no coolant, so I can't run it long enough to bring it up to temperature.


Yup, cloth interior. I dug into my old Standard Catalog of Ford, and if I'm reading it right, leather was optional on the upper trims, including the SHO. Even with that, it might have been a special order thing on the SHO: I know some configurations are very rare because Ford would send out cars like the SHO for dealer inventory pretty much loaded (probably most manufacturers did that with top trims and special editions). The phone definitely looks like the bag phones I remember a few people having when I was a kid. It does turn on, and if it's not too much of a pain, I'll probably see if I can hold onto it. Oh, and it's made in the US! When's the last time you saw that on a cell phone?


Good to know it's been done at least! I'm a big third-pedal guy, and having a five or six speed would be a big plus on a SHO, or whatever car I might swap it into. It's just too bad Ford gave up on sticks with the gen III - although they did come back to them now and then; my Dad has a '14 Fusion with a stick, I think they were gone again in '15. So there's a strong preference, and I hear the AX4N was only "not as bad" as its predecessor, so that's another vote for a stick. Another possibility is that it ends up turned 90 degrees. The two cars I have thoughts of for that are a Porsche 924 (I've got the turbo variant which I plan to keep original, but if I find another - preferably a 924S, but maybe a 944) or a Mercedes 190E. Digging around v8sho.com, it seems the engine is pretty light (360lb, maybe even a little lighter with a custom intake and some other weight cutting), so coupled with something like a T-5 transmission, you could keep the weight gain minimal or even cut some weight. Of course, I'm not looking for a barn burner here; I've already concluded that it's a case where you're happy with what it can give - hopefully a little more than stock with a better exhaust, but 250ish HP - or you pick a different engine. But that's all for later. For now I just need to get it torn down and haul off what's not worth keeping.

Great aspirations! I remember sitting in a 944 and shifting that stick thinking this is absolutely the sexiest shifter I've ever laid my hands on. If you choose to flip the V8 90 deg, what would you use for exhaust manifolds? Wouldn't you have to custom fab the entire assy?

 

[Beartooth]

I'd probably fab up manifolds or headers if I put it in a north-south configuration. I haven't looked closely at the manifolds yet, but the practical thing would be to reuse them if possible. I'd like to think headers would get another 10-15 HP, but that might be dreaming. Of course, that'd be a LOT of work, and test my skills; I've done some exhaust fabrication, but just from the collector back. And of course that's in addition to adapting the transmission. If I'm really dreaming, 180 degree headers would be awesome - it'd be a bit more power, but more reason in this case would be the sound. It's more of a scream at high RPM, like a flat plane, because it evenly spaces the exhaust pulses. Another one of those things I've been fascinated with, but not sure if I'll ever do it because of the complexity. I don't think I've ever laid eyes on a car with those in person, so I'd say it's simply not economical unless you're pushing for that last little bit. But just to be in that exclusive club, and get all the gearheads guessing what you've got under the hood makes it tempting!

Anyway, I got the nose torn down, bumper, condenser, radiator, and a bunch of smaller parts off. I think once I finish disconnecting everything, it should be pretty simple to get the nose up, then lower it and pull it out (I put the car backwards on the trailer to make that easier). My sister and brother-in-law have a skid-steer, and what I'm thinking of doing is using the forks with a pallet to support the subframe and pull it out. It'll be the first time removing an engine by lowering it, so wish me luck.

Also, I posted on Craigslist (I know it's getting killed off by FB, but I got off that several years ago and don't miss it).

Parting 1997 Ford Taurus SHO - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale - craigslist

Selling body, interior, suspension, and miscellaneous parts from a wrecked Taurus. I plan to keep the engine, transmission, and associated wiring and electronics for a future project unless someone...

billings.craigslist.org

I'm not sure if I'm asking too little or too much, especially for the rims and tires. The rims are probably worth something, but I wouldn't be surprised if the tires were easier to sell than the rims if they were separate. I might use the tires on another car and stash the rims if I don't get any good offers. Really, the rest of it I'm mostly hoping gets put to use. I hate to scrap an interior that's that good. I've got an old Explorer, and if I had a chance to pick stuff that nice I'd be all over it - but I'm guessing I'd be lucky to find someone putting that kind of effort into sprucing up a Taurus, or any Ford of that era other than a Mustang or truck.