Boring flames...oh yeah and Ford bites right now!

[OnAnySunday]

Originally posted by spanky250 :
"The '85 GT 5.0 made 163 hp, while the '85 SVO made 200 hp. The SVO was the car to beat in those days...if you could keep it running."

Begging to differ, but your H.P. figures are a bit off.
The figures for the GT's 302 H.O. engine were:
1982 = 157 (2v carb.)
1983 & '84 = 175 (4v carb.)
1985 = 210 (first year for roller cam & headers. last year for holley carb.)
1986 = 200 (first year for the fuelies)
1987 - until they started making the new ugly ones.= 225

True the SVO was a bit faster, but the GT was "tweakable" and much more reliable.
PS: I was in the Mustang restoration buis. for 13 years.

 

[spanky250]

Sorry, I know Ford claimed 210 hp for the '85 GT, but I never did buy that figure. The SVO was only about 150 lbs. lighter, but would outrun a GT pretty easily. It wasn't uncommon for me to take a GT by 2 or more car lengths. You are dead on about the reliability, though. My SVO was the most unreliable car that I have ever owned. It was constantly broken, usually something quite expensive.

 

[Durt Cycler]

Is this even considered a flame?:p More like a topic that should be in the Vechile forum :confused:

 

[smb_racing]

if I remember correctly the SVO had terrible problems with the turbochargers. I had a "non-ugly" 1988 GT, that car was scarey fast, I got rid of it before I hurt myself, it had lived a tough life, it was basically a frankenstang, pieced together by the previous owner from 13 different mustangs. T'was quite a sight :eek:

BTW, have an SVO fully adjustable clutch linkage for '87-'93 (possibly later than '93 also) mustangs. Cable and billet aluminum ****rant, new in box, will sell cheaply. Other assorted mustang parts as well.

 

[IBWFO]

Well said! I own an 01 F 250 4 dr powerstroke. The speedo went out and I thought it was covered. Stealer said no, and that it would be at least $400.00. I ride with a buddy that owns his own shop and he said it was a sensor, and on the rear axle. Part cost me $20.00 and put it in in 10 min with a 10mm socket. Stealer lost not only my money but any future business. I wrote Ford and have gotten a call from my dealer (caller ID) everyday this week.
I pay cash for my vehicles, too bad they lost my business!
There are dealers and Stealers, make your voice heard!
Regards

 

[KelvinKDX]

Originally posted by smb_racing
'96 Mazda B2300, 90k miles, replaced grille, bumper, mounts, fog lights, blend paint

whoops, I guess those problems could be attributed to operator error ;)

smb - that Mazda B2300 is a Ford Ranger w/ Mazda badging.

 

[Hogwylde]

98 dodge ram 1/2 ton 4x4.......pinion and carrier bearing failure at 65,000 miles. metal contaminated oil made it to the wheel bearings too, replaced as a preventive measure. $700 bucks.

360 magnum engine.....pings on regular unleaded gas. cant tow or haul unless i run premiun unleaded fuel. running a colder heat range plug and 180 degree thermostat to try to keep combustion temps down. running regular unleaded with only a hint of pinging now and then. dealer service departments say it's operating normally. yea, ROIT!!! 30,000 mile plug change and they are bone white with just a hint of tan on the intake side of the plug. tell me the fuel mapping curve for the fuel injection ISN"T too lean!!!

 

[70 marlin]

Back too the head?

was just thinking? why did'nt they install a spark plug thread repair coil in the damaged head? I had the same thing happen to my aluim head four banger. blew the plug right out of the hole! went to the parts store for $25 ten min. latter it was all back to gather. the kit had these SS thread serts looked like little cones, and a over size tap that you had to grease when you cut the threads, to keep the metal chips out of the cylinder. and some loc tight red. I ran the car for anther 60,000 miles? :confused:

 

[spanky250]

Originally posted by smb_racing
if I remember correctly the SVO had terrible problems with the turbochargers.

Yes, the turbo bearings would seize with regularity. The engine also had problems with broken camshafts, and the pressure plates tended to explode. Along with numerous other smaller problems. That little four-cylinder was yanked from an economy car, and never intended for turbo applications.

 

[smb_racing]

kelvin, I'm aware of the fordness of my mazda, but I've always owned fords and always loved mazdas, so it's a decent compromise ;)

Spanky, if the engine had been replaced in your SVO they might not have put in the turbo block, there were differences between the normal 4 cylinder and the turbo blocks. A friend of my uncle still has his SVO and it runs pretty decent for an old 4 banger :D

 

[spanky250]

I bought the SVO new, a present to myself for graduating with a 3.9 GPA. The engine was original. At 38,000 miles, the camshaft broke while driving 55 mph on the highway. The Ford mechanic diagnosed it as poor heat treating fom the factory, but, the warranty was expired. The head was replaced, along with 2 pistons, 2 rods, and the entire valve train. 6,000 miles later, the turbo seized (the first of two times). About 2500 miles after that, the pressure plate disintigrated, basically destroying the transmission housing. I went through alternators, water pumps, and various other components like there was no tomorow. That car soured me to Fords, and I have not bought another since.

 

[CR Swade]

Re: Back too the head?

Originally posted by 70 marlin
was just thinking? why did'nt they install a spark plug thread repair coil in the damaged head? I had the same thing happen to my aluim head four banger. blew the plug right out of the hole! went to the parts store for $25 ten min. latter it was all back to gather. the kit had these SS thread serts looked like little cones, and a over size tap that you had to grease when you cut the threads, to keep the metal chips out of the cylinder. and some loc tight red. I ran the car for anther 60,000 miles? :confused:

That is what is done, although the repair is done from the combustion chamber side. Not to mention, you literally can't see the plugs or threaded area on the head. they are covered by the intake, injectors, fuel rails and coil(s), yes coils for each cylinder. That equates to a labor intensive job, do-able yes, but I didn't have two days to kill. Thanks again KC Husky