Question on Buying a High Mileage SHO

[abuckley1290]

I tried posting earlier but idk if it went through. Im looking at a 1997 sho that i can get for $1400, the only downside is it has 160k on it. I carfaxed it and it has been dealer maintained the first 7 years of its life and its currently in the shop getting new tires and breaks, so the current owner most likely kept up the maintence. My question is is it a bad idea to get a car with this many miles and hafta dump tons of money into it or will i be able to do a basic tuneup and just drive it? Iv also read about welding the cams. If the car has got this far is there a less of a chance of a cam failure? Any input would be great thankyou

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Cams fail at any mileage. There is no "safe" mileage. 160K is nothing, it's barely broken in.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

yup, cams could go tomorrow or could go at 230k miles. Also the saying is "its not if they will break, its when" So basically I wouldn't consider that car reliable until the cams are welded, after that shes good for a long time

 

[ruWelded]

Pull the valve covers

Do yourself a favor and pull the front valve cover. This will allow you to see if the front cams are welded and you can see if there is any sludge build up. If they won't let you pull the cover at least take the oil cap off and shine a flashlight in to look for sludge build up. The last SHO I bought, the owner claimed that it had the "Tick of death". If I would have pulled the front cover or at least looked into the engine from the oil cap. I would have found the worst sludge build up I have ever seen. Oh and the ticking noise (More like a KNOCK), was two bad rod bearings. Lucky for me I have most of an engine to replace the bad parts. So I should be able to get it running again. So take your time and look it over.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Weld the Cams

Save up for a Transmission

Save up for a suspension rebuild

Get it aligned

Good to go

 

[nothingtoseehere]

MIne had over 200K miles when I traded it in. Ran fine

 

[tqmx1]

If maintained they will run forever. Mine is going through 190K and it does not use a drop of oil between changes.

As the others have said, Cam weld first and formost if not they will bite you right in the A$$ Every thing else will dollar & cents you but the cams are the kiss of death.

Good luck the price seems right

 

[abuckley1290]

Do yourself a favor and pull the front valve cover. This will allow you to see if the front cams are welded and you can see if there is any sludge build up. If they won't let you pull the cover at least take the oil cap off and shine a flashlight in to look for sludge build up. The last SHO I bought, the owner claimed that it had the "Tick of death". If I would have pulled the front cover or at least looked into the engine from the oil cap. I would have found the worst sludge build up I have ever seen. Oh and the ticking noise (More like a KNOCK), was two bad rod bearings. Lucky for me I have most of an engine to replace the bad parts. So I should be able to get it running again. So take your time and look it over.

Hey could u send me a link on how to pull the front valve cover with pics would be awesome...thanks man

 

[SHOZ123]

I'm on my third odometer and still have over 100k....

 

[chrome_rust]

working on 205k.... drive 100+ miles a day. Welded the cams at 190022....

 

[stephen newberg]

If maintained they will run forever. Mine is going through 190K and it does not use a drop of oil between changes.

A number of you have me beat at this point. When I used the car every day, it was piling up a lot faster, but now with the shift of coasts and being much closer to the marina (plus having bought a new truck as our daily driver), the pace has really slowed. I think I am at about 176k and also use no oil, nor are there any indications of problems with the transmission. I welded the cams at something like 65k, IIRC.

My only concern about keeping the car running long term, now that it has turned 10 and is starting into its second decade, is parts, mainly those for the suspension and such that are specialized to the SHO. If forced, I suspect that more normal Tarus parts can be used in if required, but it would be a shame to do that if it can be prevented.

pax, smn

 

[tqmx1]

Ya as with anything the older the get the harder the parts are to round up. The nice thing other than the struts and some other weard and wonderfull parts most is bone stock Taurus and Sable.:woohoo:.