2004 MM engine advice

[parallax_ca]

Newbie here (posted in the newbie section already), hoping for some summary advice. SO much information here, and I GREATLY appreciate everyone's time so hoping for advice in a summary form :bows:

Patient is 04 MM. 180k km (113k miles) on odo. Stock engine

Test reveals combustion into coolant so need head gaskets :depress:
COT is showing its age, no leaks but...
Mechanic says that typically when replacing head gaskets, taking off the exhaust manifolds etc, things will snap (car is in Ontario Canada so... yeah rust happens). Might as well do timing chain since has to be removed to do heads, etc.

Reading briefly on this site, people get COT deletes, etc. I go to ON performance but I fail to understand EXACTLY what one buys to COMPLETELY eliminate/replace this setup

Anyway, if it was you, what grocery list of parts would you recommend,?

I like to UPGRADE parts where possible since labour is the same.
So, are there head gaskets one would use so "maybe" one day a supercharger is installed.
Same for headers since exhaust manifolds coming off (but don't want to have too much noise as the MM will be a DD too).

So I would appreciate advice for when your head gaskets fail, what and where would you get the following parts (based on what my mechanic says is the most likely scenario of parts he will have to work with)

Head gasket set
Head bolt set

Exhaust bolt set
Exhaust manifolds or headers
EGR tube and adapter

COT delete (what EXACTLY do you buy)

Timing chain (tensioner and gaskets since has to come out anyway)

thoughts? comments
Been struggling to get through the site and realize SOMEONE must have done this already but I cannot find just a simple grocery list
Help?
thank you!
Gord in wintry Ontario Canada
:help:

[RubberCtyRauder]

Part of your list
https://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=102630

[Gerry24]

Rear cooling head mod

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=100702

[parallax_ca]

I appreciate the help
is there a list of parts for the gaskets?
etc?

read through the head mod... I understand the principles... does it eliminate the COT?

not understanding if there is a kit (trying to just assemble parts to give to the mechanic... no time to do car work these days due to ailing in-laws)

is there a FULL kit for the COT elimination vs. just these end pieces?
sorry for sounding lazy... so little time to spend on anything for fun let alone a serious car board


thank you!
Gord

[justbob]

https://www.on3performance.com/shop/on-3-performance-coolant-crossover-delete-2-port/

Click on the upgrades and it will also cover the rear cooling mod.

As for bolts and gaskets, Felpro

Manifold studs are 8mm found in packs of 10 at any auto part store.

Stainless Works headers with factory studs and gaskets.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[parallax_ca]

thank you
that "kit" from on performance .... I am being a bit thick here.... does not look complete as it is just a bunch of connectors. What do you use between the connectors. Lots of description, one pic of the connectors but I honestly cannot figure out which part(s) to get and what I would still need to get. I AM mechanically capable but the webpage leaves me wondering what else I need or what do I need to connect these connectors. I try to find something here on the MM forums but am lost. Any one? help!

Re the head gaskets. Is there not a better set for say if you were to supercharge at a later date? I know Ford had that on the 3.8 way back since same engine Supercharge Tbird as a Taurus wagon (and many failures, having experience one, solution being using the SC head gaskets. ) Just hoping someone can point to an exact set for the MM heads

Thank you!

[RubberCtyRauder]

Felpro are fine for n/a or boosted. Some people prefer Cometic, which are pricey, require surface finish requirements to heads and block. In 7 years never recall hearing of a marauder with blown head gasket due to a supercharger

[parallax_ca]

thank you! that is clear
now... if i could just figure out what OTHER parts I need to give the mechanic for the COT "delete"... anyone?... is it just a matter of buying package X from supplier Y and it is complete OR?

any comments on replacing exhaust manifolds with ..... whatever (headers, etc) .... I see lots of options, no idea which one to get if have to replace these manifolds... dont mind a bit more noise for better performance but dont want to raise it to a drone as this MM will see alot of highway long distance driving.

Sorry if all these ?s have been asked before: some threads are littered with comments galore but little or unclean information (not a complaint, just a comment) so hard to parse the facts out without ALOT of reading.

thank you to the community and those who have replied, VERY helpful

[RubberCtyRauder]

there are only 2 headers for these cars..Stainless works and Kooks..Most prefer SW..fit great and add hp..Must have a tune to run long tubes or you will get a check engine light. I know nothing of ON3 delete kit. I would imagine that you will need to fab up hoses by using braided lines. See member lji372..He may have a very good used COT if you are willing to spend $ they go anywhere from $200-400. Headers don't cause drone, header on stock exhaust will be fine. Check local emission laws,,headers may or may not be legal in Ontario. For tuning, see member martyo..MO's speed shop in the vendor section..also a SW dealer and gets far better pricing than what you find on web.

[parallax_ca]

so you are sill using the standard COT then? (not really a delete but a replacement "kit" since only connectors, as not sure about the hoses and "other" stuff (whatever that might be).

thx for the info on the headers
in ON, it is (was) about emissions as long as noise levels are not increased noticeably

ty!

[RubberCtyRauder]

My car is supercharged and has a different COT than stock. it came with the Trilogy supercharger kit as alternator gets relocated etc. My car has 47k miles, never seen winter, not daily driven so my COT should last long time. There are no off the shelf supercharger kits out there for Maraduers except a vortech kit from ADTR.net..otherwise you have to piece it together commonly called and eaton swap which you will find info in the power adder section.


See if member lji372 still has one COT to sell

[RubberCtyRauder]

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=91525

[RubberCtyRauder]

https://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/marauder-tech/119762-eaton-swap-cot-woes-finally-solved.html