Question for SVT/SHO People in Portage/Kalamazoo

[IVEYSSHO]

Hey guys, been a long time reader of this site and the SW Michigan club site just been too busy with life and other stuff to drop by and introduce myself. 2 kids, 2 jobs and lots of projects.

Well, The time has come for the 60k on my 95 ATX...bought the video (hasn't arrived yet though) and am planning to do the Valve Lash before the end of the year. Guess I'm inclined to just to do the lash to protect the cam lobes and worry about CPS when it goes bad. Yea I know while I've got the intake off, I should save the time and do it, but I am of the "If it ain't broke, don't screw with it" mentality. Besides, I am also a firm believer in the rule of one when it comes to DYI projects: If I only take on one major item on the car and it doesnt start, then at least I know what one thing is different (ie I screwed it up). Perhaps I will change my mind when the whole thing is in pieces in my garage.

I've read all the postings regarding the 60k maintenance here on the site (smiled at the good experiences and winced at the bad). The procedure sounds simple enough for a guy like me who does lots of car stuff himself "ie I dont trust a Dealer with anything more complicated than telling me when lunchtime is". Sorry, but its true.

So, my question to any of you in the area is: Does anyone have a set of tools that they would entrust to a SHO brother? 1: Who can I contact if I find that I got my butt in too deep? My brother (a Thunderbird SC owner cough cough) will assist, so I am confident enough to start, but what troubles can I expect the first time I do this? Bout how long does it take to do the first time around?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Michael
95 ATX

 

[Huntervf]

Michael,

As a SHO owner living in Kalamazoo, you are in luck! Between Society co-founder Greg Steffen & myself we've done several lash adjustments, and recently Greg and I tackled the timing belt/CPS on his 92 SHO. We have the tools, and we can do just a lash adjustment in an afternoon. Of course, while the intake is off this is a GREAT time for some other things...new plugs & wires, thorough intake cleaning, and new cam cover/plug well gaskets. And if you like we'd be happy to help out. We both live in Portage (in the same townhouse actually, drop me an email at [email protected] for info, etc.

For a newbie, the biggest trouble spots are getting all the coolant hoses off around the TB, and wiggling that damn rear cam cover off. Also, with aluminum heads it's VERY easy to cross thread & strip bolts. The lash adjustment takes some practice, espically when compressing the bucket to get the shim out (you'll find it somewhat difficult to compress the bucket WITHOUT blocking the shim). As I said, if you like we'd be happy to help out.

And join the Society while you're at it

------------------
Chris Smith
SVT/SHO Society
Taurus SHO Representative
http://svt.sho.tripod.com
89 SHO MTX Light Titanium 122k, Mi. License 1ST SHO, Konig Reign 16 x 7.5 rims, Kuhmo 225/50VR 16's, fender airbox removed, 91+ badges, CincySHO police grill, Covercraft hood protector, silver underhood trim, Pilot driving lamps, Sony Xplod deck, Performance Plus reinforced front mount, Performance Plus y-pipe, Dynomax Magnum bullet race mufflers w/3.5 stainless tips, Eibach springs, KYB struts, MOOG control arms, Royal Purple synthetic lubricants, custom "long throw" shifter, fresh paint, Jolly Roger insignias, trophy winning and NOW in storage for the winter!
95 SHO MTX Silver Frost 92k SOLD 4.14.01 but not forgotton!
96 Contour SE ATX V6 Midnight Red(wife's car) 91k, custom grill & badging, otherwise stock & under warranty
93 Dodge Spirit 2.5 I4 ATX flat white 4 banger winter beater, 116k & struggling upwards

[This message has been edited by Huntervf (edited 11-09-2001).]

 

[IVEYSSHO]

Hey, sounds great to have such experience so close to home. If you are in a townhouse in Portage, I'm guessing you are a stones throw from my house. Im at Milam and Peachtree in the houses behind Village Green Apts. Im guessing you are within 1/4 mi from my place...heck you might be 2 blocks behind the woods.

If you have the lash tools, then all it sounds like I would need to buy from CincySHO or SHONUT would be my own set of shims. Autozone on Westnedge would have the valve cover gaskets, I would have to call to see if they have the others you mentioned. I doubt the plug well gaskets would be something they would stock. BTW, the guy at Autozone (BRIAN: big tall young college guy) is a SHO owner as well (Green 93 MTX). Nice to have someone who knows what Im buying for and offer suggestions that jive with these boards and SHOTIMES.FAQ

I put double platinums in mine in June and was planning on an intake clean during this project. Guess im waiting till later on the wires as they seem to work fine now. Got a kitchen project and 2 kids, so I cant buy everything at once. Can I change them later easily enough without removing all the intake crap?

Am I forgeting anything?

I appreciate your support in offering your assistance. Would love to finally meet you guys. My wife was out of town the day you and the club went on the road trip a couple weeks ago so I had the kids with me (4 and 2). They dont dig car shows like their old man does, and one had the sniffles, so the cold air trip was off.

How would you like to proceed with this project? I dont expect you to do the work for me, but sounds like you know which end the bullet comes out of, so your presence (and love for the car) would be cool. I'll keep the dirt on me and my brother, you and Greg can drink the beer/coke/whatever and eat the pizza. Hopefully we have a few more nice days in November/December to do this.

Thanks again.

Michael

[email protected]