High Mileage Birds (how reliable?)

[DGFourSixLX]

On a quick note, I would also like to mention the fact that mildly modified 4.6 engines and factory spec 4R-70W transmissions have been delivered as part of the Interceptor Crown Vic package (police cars) for years. Where I am from, the police run their cars up to 300,000 miles usually without any tranny problems and retain a good portion of their power. Aside from other more subtle improvements, the 4R-70W is an improved version of the AOD-E (electronically controlled AOD) given a stronger output shaft, wider stronger bands, and a stronger, more durable material in the clutch packs. Chances are with new tranny fluid the setup will give you many miles. If you'll only have it for a year, you won't need to change it unless the tranny is shuddering. In this case, replace it with Ford spec Mercon fluid. But, as many others that post in this forum will agree, you WON'T be keeping that car for only a year...wait and see.

-DG-

[Ralph78]

I would be concerned about the timing chain on the 4.6L engines. I am about to upgrade my 1988 T-Bird "Sport", 5L engine with 262,430 miles on it with no engine or transmission work, to a 1997 T-Bird, so I have been researching the reliability of the later T-Birds, also 1997-8 Lincoln Mark VIII's. Unfortunately 1997 was the last year of the "rational" sized T-Birds and 98 the last of the Mark VIII's, so I will need to obtain a rather well used one.

The crew chief on my dirt track super stock is the chief mechanic for a major farm in the area. He works on the 4.6L engines a lot. His experience is that the timing chains often break between 125,000 and 175,000. When the chain breaks, the engine is then junk, (piston/valve conflict). He has started changing the timing chains at 120,000 miles. (not easy, it takes special tools to keep the cams aligned.) His suggestion is to also change the timing chain tensioners at the same time. As the front of the engine is off, he also changes the water pump, regardless of the miles on the old pump.

I have verified the timing chain breakage problems with several of the better local shops, where I know the owners from racing, so I am pretty sure they are not BS'ing me, and they agree it is safest to change the timing chain at about 100,000 to 130,000 miles. Also it is VERY IMPORTANT to properly torque the spark plugs, and check the torque often, otherwise a plug may get slightly loose. Once loose, the plug will quickly beat the threads out of the head. There is a fix, the head must come off, and a special kit used to replace the threads for all 4 plugs. (DO NOT use the standard Helicoil).

IMPORTANT, if you start to hear ANY timing chain noise, HAVE THE CHAIN CHANGED AT ONCE. I was told not to even drive it in to the shop, have it towed, or in my case winch it on to my race car trailer and take it to the shop. I had a lot of trouble changing timing chains on an old XK 150S Jaguar years ago and that was a 3.4L 6 Cylinder overhead cam engine. There is no way I'm going to go through the learning curve on a V-8 overhead cam engine.

From the others that have posted here, it seems that a number of the 4.6L engined T-Birds will stand up quite well, but you don't want to take a chance on destroying the engine just to save the cost of replacing the chain. NOTE: The repair shops only see the "Broken" T-Birds, so it is hard to tell what the % of failure is. Make sure you work with a shop that has done a number of timing chain replacements, you do not want to be their "learning curve".

Ralph78

[Rolling-Thunder]

I am not so sure your experiences match the vast majority of the 4.6L drivers out there. Have not seen this talked about as a problem over at tccoa.com

There are other problematic areas, but haven't seen timing chains as one of them.

EDIT:

Here's an example:

http://forums.tccoa.com/showthread.p...t=timing+chain

[wm_sorg]

Well it looks like I am the owner of a 1994. It was not my first choice but people around here do not return their calls. I had a line in a black and gray and a red on grey, but it did not seem they were motivated. I ended up with a 94 blue silver with a matching grey interior. The car needs a good cleaning. Has no rust, but there is a scrape near the right front headlight. The car has 141k on the odometer. Trans flud was bright red/pink and had absolutly no odor! Engine did not smoke or do any piston slap on start up. No knocks or pinging whatsoever when I test drove. Undercarige was bone dry.

Now for the problems:
Headlight lenses are not clear anymore.
Front struts seem to be original. Front end is has no play but does not heave good road feel. Tire wear is normal and car does not pull.
There is a noise coming from the rear that sounds like a loose shock mount.

Original exhaust. No leaks, but I think it looks britle.

The price was right $1,000 :) so I do not mind putting a couple of hundres bucks to make it more reliable.

[1994lx]

im possibly picking up a 94 witha rebuilt v8 and 130k on it for 2 grand im gonna be happy to have that

[95tbirdv8lx]

i have 181,000 but new alternator-175,000, rebuilt tranny 167,000 new tires and brakes around 170,000 nothign else rilly except now it starts only sometimes and im tryin to figure out why besides that iv loved it

[wm_sorg]

Here is an update:

The car just hit 150,000 today on a trip back from NJ. So far the car has been reliable and runs well. I had to do the Mercon V trans flush to get rid of the shudder and some regular PM as well. I am averaging 24 MPG using mobil 1 5/30.

[Ralph78]

I am having the same problem as the original poster, I am unable to find a 97 T-Bird with low miles on it. On 8/26/04, I took the plunge and picked up a 1997 T-Bird LX with the sport package, it has 111,000 miles on it.

Fortunately I obtained the Bird from the original owner, who had a complete maintaince file on it from the day it was new. He had an extended Warn. and had most of the repair work done at the Ford dealer where he bought the car. At. 90,000 miles he replaced the radiater,(slight leaks at hose attachment necks) temp sender and temp control switch. He also replaced the O2 sensors, and MAS, Throt. position switch, at the same time. The trans was serviced, and the fuel filter was replaced. The spark plugs and wires were replaced at 102,000 miles with new hi-perf. items. At 108,356 miles the entire Cat. Converter assemble was replaced ($1,400, with labor, for a Ford Factory unit, installed at a private shop with a very good rep.). The $1,400 price sure seems exessive. I am sure it could be done by a good muffler shop, using after market CAT's for a LOT LESS.

As there is no shudder in the transmission when shifting, and there are NO transmission leaks, I hesitate to change to the M-V fluid, for fear the change in viscosity and fluid type may cause a seal problem and leaks develop.

As I live in Bakersfield CA where the normal summer time temp is 95-105, I am planning on installing a trans cooler. Any suggestions as to who makes the best trans cooler for this car, what size unit, and where is the best place to install it? I currently have 272,400 miles on my 88 T-Bird(Sport Package). And have had no trouble with the transmission, (with no Trans cooler).

Any suggestions and recommendations appreciated.

Ralph

[wm_sorg]

http://www.tbirdforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1933

[tumbleweed]

FWIW, we bought a new 1993 with a 3.8L......now have 235000+ miles on it......have replaced one head gasket, and brakes...that's it.....even the exhaust system is original.....indestrucible vehicle.....still gets 25-28 MPG....uses no oil....would like to find another 95-97 with around 100K...

[lmtdchicken97]

I've had a 97 4.6 V8 LX since 87000 and driven the crap out of it to 125000 and I still wax Hondas daily