possibly lost/seized the motor today

[ZmanM3]

you know what a roller is right? the body and frame, nothing else. the rest would be parted out

I know. Thats why I also called dibbs on everything. I personally think you should keep it though, even if you just put it in storage at don't race it for a few years, or put a stock engine in it and just drive it around and don't race it for a while. You put a lot into that car, it would be a shame to just let it all go. I think its one of those things that if you do just get rid of it you'll regret in future years. But if you do decide to part it out I call dibbs on everything!! That way I can have first pick on everything.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

Part that motor/blower out, use that money to get a stock motor and slap it in and drive the car. Lateral move financially. Taking a beating is not a good idea even though you're distraught.

Chill for a few days and think it over. Even throwing a stock motor in the car is cheaper than canning the whole idea, parting all this stuff out and assuming a note on a new vehicle.

My $0.02 which ain't nuthin. LOL!

 

[S197 GT]

Just throwing it out there Ron, but any thoughts of getting the car back to stock, or as stock as possible, and selling it and the parts to get a 5.0 or Shelby?

It'd be great to watch you do it all over again, but I can understand not wanting to go through all the trouble again.

 

[94tbird]

Just throwing it out there Ron, but any thoughts of getting the car back to stock, or as stock as possible, and selling it and the parts to get a 5.0 or Shelby?

It'd be great to watch you do it all over again, but I can understand not wanting to go through all the trouble again.

I half considered that too Nick,

but the reality of it is, its not about the trouble of it, seeing as i had a lot of fun and learned so much along the way. I don't know. I don't like the idea of another car payment. Seems like im going in the wrong direction if I do that. I could easily fix this car for far less seeing as I just, hopefully, would need a shortblock.

In the past, I would have fixed this, no questions asked. And I did, when i bought this shortblock. I've always been behind in life, behind in school, behind in work, behind in maturity. Im leaning toward the mature decision of parting it out right now due to my life and financial situation. I do not want to do it, but it seems to be the best course of action at the moment for the long term. Im trying to not just look at the here and now. There are things i want out of my life so deeply, that i am jsut not even close to achieving. Part of the reason is certainly financial, part of the reason is my living situation, and part is the decisions I make.

 

[cm581978]

I agree. I even said the same to NjSGT, just buy a 5.0 and be done with it

Just throwing it out there Ron, but any thoughts of getting the car back to stock, or as stock as possible, and selling it and the parts to get a 5.0 or Shelby?

It'd be great to watch you do it all over again, but I can understand not wanting to go through all the trouble again.

 

[94tbird]

I agree. I even said the same to NjSGT, just buy a 5.0 and be done with it

see above

 

[Renesis07]

Sorry for what happened man. My opinion, I would definately get the car running and get rid of it that way if you decide to NOT keep it.

Even if the car has been tracked, rides rough, etc; it's still worth what it's worth as a trade in or private party. Possibly part out what you can, use funds to buy new motor/trans, and call it a wash?

Either way man, best of luck with your next move and your goals to move out. I've been there man, living with my brother & parents through rough times, I know the feeling.

 

[S197 GT]

Gotta do what's best for you man.

When I got rid of my '05 in exchange for a family vehicle, I was heart broken! It was all worth it with my son and all, but there was always a void.

I even tried filling the void with an '07 I bought last year. Still didn't cut it, as it didn't feel like my car.

When I got the 5.0, it completely brought me back to my passion!

Let's face it, this is a passion we're all involved in here. I think that's what made it difficult to be without for those couple of years.

You still got the Tbird and the other Mustang right?

Another option if you decided to keep the car, is a Coyote swap! Dump the KB you've got now, and throw the 2.8 on the 5.0!

Don't mind me spending your money here.

I'm hoping for the best for you man!

 

[Fake_Snake]

Earl that is a genius idea. I did not even think about that. There is one problem. The car is facing the other way, and without it being powered on its own, Im gonig to need manpower to move it. I think i can manage it if i can get 3 or 4 guys together, with 1 steering. Thank you!

I have driveway drains there, but i think i can cover them, or get some plywood and lay it down to give an even rolling surface to the cherry picker.

Im in town 10 min away and i have my stang to do a two wheel peel now

 

[JEWC_Motorsports]

I've always been behind in life, behind in school, behind in work, behind in maturity. Im leaning toward the mature decision of parting it out right now due to my life and financial situation. I do not want to do it, but it seems to be the best course of action at the moment for the long term. Im trying to not just look at the here and now. There are things i want out of my life so deeply, that i am jsut not even close to achieving. Part of the reason is certainly financial, part of the reason is my living situation, and part is the decisions I make.

Ron it sounds like your decision has been made. I had to make that decision a few years ago. Its a tough one for sure but its better to be able to stand on your own 2 feet and in time the things we love in life will come back to us. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Mystickeith50]

Hey bud, feel for you situation. The only reason to get rid of it is finacial/living arrangements. Nobody knows ur finacial situation but if getting rid of this thing will ease your mind and bring u one step closer to the situation you looking for.....do it. I'm not a religious man by any means(opposite actually) but I do believe everything happens for a reason. They seem crushing at first but it works out. I have prob had the worst luck with losing money/my life with these cars due to horrible circumstance. I have had two stolen and two totaled almost killing me due to drunk drivers/crack heads. I took huge loses and they sucked but in the end everything worked out. After you figure out exactly whats wrong with it, relax and don't even look at it for a week. Good luck, and I hope all goes well.

 

[retfr8flyr]

If I could stick my 2 cents in here. I know you are trying to get things straight in your life now but I would recommend finding out exactly what is wrong with the motor before you make any drastic decisions. It may not cost that much to fix the problems but even if you have to buy another shortblock, I think you would be better off in the long run keeping the car instead of parting it out. You would loose so much parting it out I think you would come out way ahead just keeping it. Just lower the power level when you rebuild it. You would still have the enjoyment of driving the car and with less power it would be reliable and not be a financial drain on you.

Then you can make the changes in your life you are thinking about without any car payment to drag you down.


Earl

 

[94tbird]

pulled the pan a few minutes ago. MAJOR MAJOR metlai n the pan, looks liek its all bearing material however. I went to pull the canton windage tray and coolant poured off it when i jostled it, which means coolant did make it into the oil after all i guess. You can see the droplets of oil in the pics, and also the droplets of clear liquid, in pics 9-12. i tasted it to be sure, and yes, its coolant.

on a side note the rods and pistons seem to be ok from looking up in there but im no expert

 

[BruceH]

Are you going to pull the main caps now or wait till the motor is out?

 

[94tbird]

im not sure. im disgusted right now.

 

[tmcolegr]

Have you tried checking the crankshaft for end play to help determine if it is a rod or main bearing that may have failed?

Also when you assembled the short block what was your rod side clearance?

 

[94tbird]

Have you tried checking the crankshaft for end play to help determine if it is a rod or main bearing that may have failed?

Also when you assembled the short block what was your rod side clearance?

I have not. not even sure how to do that. cant it even be done in the car? I dont have the timing cover off, nor the crank pulley, nor the engine disconnected from the trans.

I didnt assemble the shortblock, just bolted the heads and timed it

 

[tmcolegr]

You don't need to do any further disassembly to check crankshaft end play. Stick a pry bar between the block and crankshaft counterweights and try to move the crankshaft fore and aft - it should move back and forth about .006" - .015". If it won't move fore and aft, you probably have one or more failed main bearings.

To check the rod bearings without further disassembly of the short block, do the same to each of them. They should move fore & aft. According to your spec sheet, your short block states the rods should have .022" of side clearance. If you find one or more that doesn't move, that rod most likely has a failed bearing. Good news is I don't see any discernible discoloration from heat on any of the rods.

PS: your spec sheet states the crankshaft had .005" end play. Man that's tight!! OEM spec. is .003" - .015". With the bearing material you have in the pan, you may have failed the thrust bearing. Your rod and main bearing clearances are also very close to OEM specs. All OEM specs are for use with 5W20 engine oil.

What weight oil are you running?

 

[rford426]

I agree. I even said the same to NjSGT, just buy a 5.0 and be done with it

Great idea so when he loses #8 hes back to square one???


Now a gt500 would be nice but looks like he isn't wanting a car payment and I don't blame him...Goodluck Ron hope it all works out!!!

 

[PNR Welding]

Looks like the crank is gonna either have to get cut or replaced after seeing those bearing material. Before you start taking the rods and mains off, move the rods/caps back and forth and they all should give some play. Move them on the crank shaft, almost like wiggling them to get them to slide on the throw of the crank. See if one rod will not move, then that is your culprit if it is in the rods. Also, check out what that thrust bearing looks like, make sure the half moon wedge bearing is in good shape. When my thrust bearing went, the cap was purple and the outer bearing/half moon plate was in pieces and beat to hell. I would do what Tmcolegr said with checking end play. Mine was set from JDM at .009 and when I recently built the motor it is still at .009.