Prioritizing repairs - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Modded · 09-22-2003, 18:16

Ok, I'm posting in the general forum 'cause the question covers several areas of the car. Basically, I'm asking which repairs I should do first since I have limited cash and resources and so can only do one thing at a time, with a lot of time in-between doing each thing.

My primary concerns are three things that have been identified as potentially 'big' issues with the car:

Thermostat (not knowing the temp of the engine means I could be running it hot all the time)

Tapping (apparently the knocking sound in the engine is the 'tapping' of the cylinders which need replacing)

Transmission (currently a 3spd auto, wanting to convert to a 4-spd auto, current one is apparently worn out as it doesn't shift smoothly and makes clunking noises)

Head gasket... this thing looks so dead it's not funny and that's from just seeing it from the outside!

So which of the above should take priority?

LTDHO · 09-22-2003, 20:12

tapping sounds like rocker gear.
knocking could be pistons.

I'd do the pistons etc.
To save money and as a tempory measure, just remove the thermostat.
then swap the trans.

Modded · 09-22-2003, 21:09

Tapping wasn't the sound it was making, it was the part my mate called the top of the pistons. He reckons that was what is causing the knocking sound.

And the thermostat doesn't work, hence why I need one :)

09-22-2003, 21:57

Thermostats are pretty cheap, cost ya about $20.

Why do you say your headgaskets gone? Do you mean at the front where it pisses out with oil? If so just clean up the gap a little and whack some RTV sealant in, should stop most of the leaking.

Tapping might just be ya tappets are a bit stuffed, try changing to a thicker oil.

Though if you wanted to do all those jobs properly, you could do a headgasket change yourself which costs around $400 including getting the head reconditioned.

mongrelEB · 09-23-2003, 04:05

If you have to do the headgasket and small ends I suggest dropping in a good EL motor (hehe or AU hehe)
Should cost about $700 for the motor, although if you don't DIY labour costs could be a bit high - having said that paying somebody to rebuild the old motor won't be cheap either.....
Thermostat is cheap and easy, I'd do that first at $20 or so if I were you :)
And if you want a 5-speed anyway, why not wait until you can afford it and do both the box and the motor at the same time? The 5-speed and 3-speed wiring is exactly the same, whereas the 4-speed will require rewiring to suit.
The motor should last you a few k's yet if you do go that route.

Anyway, my 15c