Silver Gen 3 - Decision pending

[NebraskaSHO]

NebraskaSHO - Re the tint great idea! - what do you recommend? Last time i had a tint applied was to an 86 Dk Blue Merc Sable GS in 86. Know the tint's are much better now. All in good time I suppose - Just got my 1st paycheck since changing jobs last spring and guess where it went. Wife will be less than impressed if the second and third go the same way!

John

I recommend getting a pro to do it. 20% on the back windows, same or slightly darker on the rear window, and 35% on the fronts. I also have a strip on the top of my windshield too that cuts out on some glare.

 

[JohnKay]

Off to NESHO it goes!

Well all,

Kirk picked up my SHO yesterday and I expect it is now at NESHO having the cams welded, 100K inspection, ATX tranny fluid flush and fill with Mobil 1, oil cooler installed, and rear brake lines checked for corrosion. Really looking forward to getting it back and actually driving it. I drove it the 10 miles from the Ford Dealer to my garage...that's it.
Anyting else I should consider while Kirk has it??? suggestions are welcome.....selling suggestions to my better half may be another issue. Kirk mentioned to her that he could pull a few more ponys from the engine but since she won't be the one driving it....she didn't see the need. From my perspective I wonder about the tranny taking the extra. Thoughts anyone??



John

 

[JohnKay]

Hey NebraskaSHO - Nice touch re the front top band. As I look at your tint I'm wondering whether mine may already have side and rear tints done....once it gets back from NESHO I'll pull it back out of the garage and take a really good look in the sun to confirm. Are there any brands of tint to consider or stay away from. I think I used a dealer for tint king in the 80's, but my memory is more foggy than normal reaching that far back.

 

[JohnKay]

oil cooler bypass - thermostat

I've heard a lot of people like the B&M coolers, but I've found that just about any aux cooler with the "stacked plate" design will cool really well. I got the biggest stacked plate cooler that my local AutoZone had in stock, which was reasonably good sized. If you really want to save some money you can use the stock transmission cooler off of a Ford Explorer. The best "how-to" page for installation that I've seen is:
http://www.niesens.com/hobbies/cars/1996-ford-taurus/transmission-cooler/

I didn't do this - I used .050" stainless safety wire to tie the top of the cooler to the center grill support (the metal piece behind the "Ford" logo in front), and plastic tie-wraps to hold the bottom in place above the stock coolers. Maybe not ideal, but it works, and I didn't have to remove the bumper cover to install it.

Daedalus and all - How important do you think it is to have an oil cooler bypass so that when cold the transmission oil flow into the cooler doesn't starve the converter and tranny? The B&M coolers apparently have a special orifice that helps limit the flow of oil when cold to avert this and help speed the oil to temperature. not sure if all oil cooler manufacturers do or whether perhaps there is another brand of cooler that has a built in thermostat or?


John

 

[Daedalus]

Daedalus and all - How important do you think it is to have an oil cooler bypass so that when cold the transmission oil flow into the cooler doesn't starve the converter and tranny? The B&M coolers apparently have a special orifice that helps limit the flow of oil when cold to avert this and help speed the oil to temperature. not sure if all oil cooler manufacturers do or whether perhaps there is another brand of cooler that has a built in thermostat or?


John

A good quality transmission cooler will flow at least as well as, if not better than, the coolant lines from the transmission. I wouldn't worry about a transmission cooler starving your tranny for oil. I've used stacked plate coolers on several vehicles and I've never had a problem. Ford didn't put a bypass on the stock transmission cooler so I don't see the need to bother with one on an aux cooler either.

Remember, since you are plumbing the aux tranny cooler in after the radiator, the fluid entering the aux cooler is going to be at least as hot as your current engine temperature, having been in such close proximity to the engine coolant.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Replace the factory "hard" lines with transmission hose. The fittings to the transmission can be replaced with brass barb'd fittings. Not sure the size, SHOZ123 definately knows, he's the one who told me. Run the hose along the route the factory lines took. Run it into the radiator, then a short hose from the radiator to the AUX. cooler, then from the cooler back into the transmission.

That's how mine is. I also have the Gen II ATX cooler.

 

[JohnKay]

Thanks guys for the excellent suggestions....NESHO is doing the work so I'm sure he'll do a fantatstic job given his expertise and excellent reputation. Sounds like the concensus is that the oil cooler doesn't need thermostatic control.

John

 

[JohnKay]

I recommend getting a pro to do it. 20% on the back windows, same or slightly darker on the rear window, and 35% on the fronts. I also have a strip on the top of my windshield too that cuts out on some glare.

NebraskaSHO - The Tint installer came over today to look over the car and decide on which tint to use. Chose 35% all the way around. Since the Post office was closed his shipment of 35% hadn't arrived so we've rescheduled for Saturday. Here's the questions -
He told me that to put the tint all the way down the rear windshield would look better than doing a cutout around the third brake light. Will require pulling the rear deck out ....what are your thoughts did you end up doing this or?? . any thoughts are welcome. Decided to do both the 94SHO and the 99SHO while he's here. Thanks!

Virago9577

 

[NebraskaSHO]

YES... pull the rear package tray out and tint all the way down. Two bolts hold the rear upper seat onto the body, the lower cushion just has to be pushed in, and lifted out.

The package tray then has two plastic push pins IIRC, and then is pulled out. The 3rd brake light housing then can be removed. Wiring harness for those lights just twists out.

 

[JohnKay]

Thanks Nebraska SHO - Think the tint all the way down will look so much better doesn't sound like a difficult job to pull the package tray and 3rd brake light. The Tint I'm going with is the metalized Johnson tint 35% all the way around (except windshield) according to the installer he picked up his first ticket last week for 20% Some of his friends have also had warnings....figured because he's the tinter he got the ticket instead of the warning...me I'd just as soon avoid the hassle....but cut a sweet deal to have both SHO's done this Saturday!

John

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Ugh... metalic tint? Do you have 13" wire wheels that stick out of the fenders 4"?

I would just try for the "dark" or "limo" tint. Now if it is "metalized" to prevent heat and still looks black... then FTW.

By the way, you'll love the new look. Tint is great.

 

[three50one]

I'd rather mine be all the way around the window, but it came with the car.