Question about cam shafts

[ShogirlGA]

I just bought a 97 SHO in December. I've heard a lot about problems with the cam shafts slipping. Does this happen with all generation IIIs? I do not race my car; I just use it for commuting to college and other everyday driving. Are slipping cam shafts related to how you drive the car, or is the problem one of those things that "just happens?"

 

[luigisho]

Check out the info here http://www.v8sho.com This is a common problem due to a design flaw. Think about getting them welded. I don't know what Doug's shop charges http://fordspecialists.com/camweld.htm but they are in GA.

 

[SHOerwin]

Mr. Lewis did mine, as well as some other more minor things. I had a great day at his shop,and I learned more than I would have thought possible. Everyone there is knowledgable and polite. Do it as soon as possible. Call the shop and ask any question. This failure problem exists, and it won't go away. Ford will not help you, and any warranty you may have will most likely skip out on paying. Consider this an investment, because you will get many trouble-free miles. These are fantastic, fun cars to own and drive.

 

[ArkanSHO]

Pretending it doesn't really exsist and believing "it couldn't happen to me"
because I drove it very conservativly until it happened cost me $7,824. I welded them in the new engine, have driven it like it was stolen and had nary a problem since, other then it wears out tires.

Moral of the story, an ounce of prevention (or in this case $500 in welding) is worth a pound (or several thousand $$$) of cure.
Get them welded!

 

[ShogirlGA]

The car has had several previous owners and already has over 120,000 miles on it. How do I know if the cams have already been welded? Does anybody know of any shops located around Atlanta or Macon that do this service?

 

[SHOerwin]

One of the best is located just west of Atlanta off I-20 in Douglasville. See the above posts for the website. Get the phone number and call. The only way to know if it has been welded is to pull the covers. The folks at FPS have done it many times. They won't rip you off. Let them look at it.

 

[luigisho]

I don't know if Doug tracks the VIN of the cars he's done or not but it would be worth an email or phone call.

 

[Fast4SHO]

Although there is a lot of great information in this topic, I found it very confusing, especially for someone who doesn't know who "Doug" or "FPS" is. As the guys were saying, this cam problem will probably happen to most SHO's as it's a bad design. As far as having them welded, Ford Performance Specialists or FPS in GA is one of the best known places to have the work done. Doug Lewis is the owner of the shop, and again the web site is http://www.fordspecialists.com/ You're really lucky you are so close to his shop, I had mine flat bedded there from Ohio! Your best bet it to take the car on over to him, and if he doesn't show the car being welded at his shop then he will be able to take the heads off to see if its been welded. This is pretty important because if the cams do fail, the engine will be ruined. If they do need welded, have it done ASAP, the cost is around $600. Welcome to the forum, there is TONS of great information about these vehicles on here, and I hope you enjoy your new '97!

 

[SHOWHAT9]

CAM FAILURE LINKS

Go the the link above and just do some random reading. As of today, I can think of 393 reasons to get your cams welded as quickly as possible. If you read some of the stories from some of the victims you will quickly see there is little if any correlation to mileage or age. It appears to be a design flaw for which Ford is being sued in Federal Court.
As you are in GA FPS seems the most logical choice. You would pay about the same amount for a good set of tires as you will for the peace of mind of having the cams attended to.
Safest approach to take is that of assuming your cams are not welded.
Also, is it safe to assume you have a payment book? If so, all the more reason to weld them. Too many people have dead SHO's and still sending payments in every month.
Dont be one of them.

 

[ShogirlGA]

Thanks everybody for your advice and recomendations . I'll get in touch with Doug Lewis as soon as possible.

 

[Tim Rice]

Trust me cams can fail at any time, mine occurred while idling in a parking lot
lots of good advice above from people who have "been there, done that"

Best of luck
Timmayh