Replace your plastic thermostat housing with an aluminum one. Run a 180-ish thermostat if you live anywhere warm with a fresh radiator, they are less than $100. The cam gears, chain, guides and tensioners are a weak point after 100k miles. Aftermarket have improvements for replacements. Even the FOMOCO replacements now are better than what came in them. Keep good clean oil and filter in it. That's part of what kills the tensioners is dirty contaminated oil. Keep an eye on your cooling system, waterpump, belt, etc. Don't run it hot. If you rebuild it or have your heads off use something like Cometic gaskets. The engines are very tough if you follow these things. But if you abuse it, hell you can break anything. I did all these things with my reman 4.0. A free flowing muffler, or real dual help it breathe. Don't put a fart can on it. The drone will make driving it unbearable. I have a Cold air intake on mine from the previous owner. It have a tuning problem that I'm working through. Don't do it unless you are willing to deal with the tune issue. Just my thoughts. These are recommends for street use of course.
If you are wanting to stay at the stock power level and don’t plan on beating the hell out your Mustang there really is no week point. Reliability has not been a problem with the 3 valve or the rest of the drivetrain for that matter. Rev it sky hi, speed shifting and drag launches will find “create” week spots for you to address. Same with the suspension. Normal driving, everything is fine but put it on a road coarse at hi speed and you will find things to improve.
Sure can.
I didn't realize the hole existed until yesterday but it was created back in 2020 I believe when I was cranking in clear flood mode doing compression testing and the engine started and over-revved instantly.
So do I need to buy a new intake manifold and crossover tube if I buy a 08-10 long block? I have also heard online that even when buying a reman engine you should tear it apart and check everything, any thoughts?
