What next?

[Buford]

As of yesterday we have good information that FOMOCO is unlikely to recall 96-99 cam sprockets, but will take what the learned to improve future marauder cam design.

In my experience a class action lawyer will not take our case since no one has been physicaly hurt during a sprocket failure.

The idea of a media event in front of Ford Corporate HQ has some appeal to me.

I am looking to start a public discussion on where we should go next, what should we do to force Ford to do a recall?

I don't want to go to prison or get sued, I not a photogenetic articulate media savy type.

Timothy Wright

 

[Osiris]

There really isn't much we can do.

I have written Blue Oval News about this as I am sure many other have, I got nowhere with it either.

All we can do is take steps to educate owners on the issues with the cams, proper repair solutions and maybe organize a group discount on such repairs with someone. I think V8sho.com has done a great job with the issue and keeping us informed as much as possible.

I am shocked that Ford isn't going to even offer a discounted repair rate for us or those who have already had the failures. Perhaps we should all send thank you notes to Ford for their assistance in all of us dumping our Taurii in favor of better built imports and other domestics.

I know now that I'll be saving up for a long road trip and cam weld soon.

Do you have any idea just how FAR Doug Lewis is from San Antonio? frown

<small>[ August 09, 2002, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: PrplSHO ]</small>

 

[SHODWN]

Ford blows

 

[Gianni]

Well, that pretty much makes my mind up as to what car I am going to buy next year.

 

[Buford]

From San Antonio to Douglasville ~ 988 miles via new Orleans & Tuscaloosa,

Why wait till it ticks?

Yes Ford Blows, I repeat my question - what can we do to bring this to public attention and get Fudmoco to change their mind?

 

[Osiris]

Time and money, my good man..Time and Money.

I have three trips planned in the next few months and getting to GA won't be in the cards until next year at best.

I can just keep doing what I'm doing, keep the miles on the SHO low and pray I'm one of the 75% or so that won't have ( or hasn't had ) a failure.

 

[Osiris]

I would entertain a trip to HQ to protest, but wouldn't it seem kinda funny is SHO's all over the land made a trip to Michigan to complain about reliability issues and possible sudden engine failures?

Don't you think they might wonder why people would come hundreds if not thousands of miles to seek restitutuion for problems that though serious, weren't serious enough to stop their vehicles from driving all that distance?

Or instead no one drive their SHO there and we all hold up pictures of them and say things like " Gee, I wish I could drive it, but it might blow up on me!"

 

[stephen newberg]

Tim, what happend specifically the other day that told you FMC would not likely be doing anything about the cams? You did not say.

pax, smn

 

[mholhut]

I've got my old motor still. We can dip it in ****** and use a trebuchet to launch it through their front window! Just like Ford says... No boundaries!!!

BTW Kirk, nice shot of your car mowing my lawn there wink

Best thing to do, get rid of your SHO.

 

[Osiris]

Honestly, if it's just the cams, get it fixed and get on with life. I like my car and don'treally want to sell it based on fear of possibilities. As well, 988 miles and a few hundred bucks isn't that bad. If anything, those mechanically savvy could invest in a torch and probably make some pretty good side cash just fixing cams.

That's probably how Ford feels about it also. I'm sure by now they know that people have come up with a solution to the problem so they figure those people will tell others and on and on until the cam fix becomes common knowledge and everyone gets it done. Ford can sit quietly out to the side. Although if anyone with a warranty happens to have a failure I hope that that push Ford to repair the car with updated cams.

 

[Kevin Cook]

As of yesterday we have good information that FOMOCO is unlikely to recall 96-99 cam sprockets, but will take what the learned to improve future marauder cam design <--- what is the source of your info?

I thought that on V8SHO.com there had been a small step in the right direction with the Ford OASIS Cam Memo...

A demonstation at FOMOCO HQ sounds good to me...

Any other ideas?

 

[Buford]

re: <--- what is the source of your info?

I am sorry I can not and will not put my source at risk. Don Mallinson got the same report.

Interest here and and at V8SHO list server has been minimal. Several 100 die hard owners have welded the cams at their own enpense. The general attitude seems to be "I got welded, the next guy is on his own."

I thought we might do a "write in" or see how folks want to visit FOMOCO HQ. I am not going to lead a one man parade.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Karen and I could always trailer her 99 to Dearborn. Say , "gee it's such a wonderful car. I wish I didn't have to worry about either buying a Ford extended warranty, or getting the cams welded... I wish I could drive it!" Ironically, the tow vehicle (Mercury Mountaineer) also has a spun bearing at 129k. Go Ford Quality!!! It's job # 568,291

 

[Osiris]

I, for one, DO care about the next guy. My cams aren't welded and I worry. However, I didn't worry about the cams today when I took my sparkling purple SHO through the rather picturesque hill country 80 miles to a quaint little town to feast on Jager Schnitzle. What can I do? pis and moan about what could happen or enjoy the car I chose to purchase and get it fixed asap.

I know, I should be able to enjoy the car without this problem and Ford should do something to rectify the situation, but this isn't the first time nor the last it'll happen ( with Ford or any other car maker. )

I will continue to pledge my support for the GenIII and will assist in any way I can to get Ford to do SOMETHING about it. But in the meantime, I will drive my car as I have been, mod it the way I wish, and continue to listen to the engine for that tell-tale tick, and guys, listening to this motor ain't such a bad thing.

 

[XLSuruaT]

PrplSHO:
Honestly, if it's just the cams, get it fixed and get on with life. I like my car and don'treally want to sell it based on fear of possibilities. As well, 988 miles and a few hundred bucks isn't that bad. If anything, those mechanically savvy could invest in a torch and probably make some pretty good side cash just fixing cams.

That's probably how Ford feels about it also. I'm sure by now they know that people have come up with a solution to the problem so they figure those people will tell others and on and on until the cam fix becomes common knowledge and everyone gets it done. Ford can sit quietly out to the side. Although if anyone with a warranty happens to have a failure I hope that that push Ford to repair the car with updated cams.

If ford feels that way, then consider my taurus the last ford I will ever own. There is somethign known as customer satisfaction. Unless you completely beat the crap out of your car, welding the cams should be considered "out of the ordinary" maintainance expense. Engines are not cheap and especially when paying above $25k for a new car, I would not expect it to die within six years.

Although I do not own a sho, I can see how Ford really wishes to keep customers. I can honestly say, my next car will not be a ford.

I dont know much about class action lawsuits, but you may want to look into the issue with the v6's in camerys because they had a history of sludging up and siezing. There was a successful class action lawsuit against toyota, but i dont know any details.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

the lawsuit could probably happen, based on the fact that new v8 motors are no longer available if I'm correct. That means if this cam problem happens, and let's face it, how many Gen III owners of 18,000 are on these boards, and actually know what that tick means? And the motor ends up grenading due to late or non-detection, that car isn't going anywhere until they find a used block. If they don't, there's a $33,000+ car down the tubes. I think the courts would see it that way also. I'll talk to my aunt (Superior court judge, Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and see if she has anything to add, whether each member files with their own state, or what.

 

[SHOZ123]

mholhut said......

"BTW Kirk, nice shot of your car mowing my lawn there

Best thing to do, get rid of your SHO."

I have to say that it does kind of look like Elsie grazing in the pasture......

 

[grfsSHO]

Greetings from Canada!

Have been waiting for results of the discussions with Ford on the V8 cam issue. Not what we would like to see... Is there an opprtunity to have this 'story' presented in one or more of the Ford / Mustang magazines such as Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords or 5.0 Mustangs?? National media exposure may help..

 

[SHODWN]

wow, I havent heard that name in a long time. Whats it like having a birth date thats very similar?

 

[SHOZ123]

"Whats it like having a birth date thats very similar?"

A life full of wonderful expierences. And ready for more.