Wesman's engine kaput overheated

[wesman]

Hello Gents its been a while. Bad news from my end, I need an engine. My thermostat failed (while i was inside a store and it was idling) and overheated the engine, drove it for a bit to see if it would cool back down, but it went into limp mode and then stalled. Had it towed to my buddy's garage and after much checking its burning coolant (white smoke at the tailpipes and smells sweet). 115,000 miles on it, many on the track, i figure this engine owes me very little.
My buddy was asking about a re& re but i figure its too expensive with an aluminium 4 cammer.
Before i dash off to car-part.com for a used engine ($1500-$2000 quite a few are there) I thought i would post it up in case anyone knows of an intact motor near Toronto.
Wes.

[offroadkarter]

might as well find a cobra motor or a cobra remain longblock.

When it breaks, build it stronger :D

[RR|Suki]

might as well find a cobra motor or a cobra remain longblock.

When it breaks, build it stronger :D

yeah that's just what he needs is a heavy low compression motor :flamer:

[Drewstang]

yeah that's just what he needs is a heavy low compression motor :flamer:Better than a lightweight weak rodded paper weight.

[RR|Suki]

Better than a lightweight weak rodded paper weight.

ahh yes N/A marauders are blowing left and right from too much power... :rolleyes:


Anyway, Wes there were a couple on detroit area craigslist back in December, might wanna try there.

[offroadkarter]

yeah that's just what he needs is a heavy low compression motor :flamer:


and what if he so happend to find one with an eaton? then that would be just what he needs :P

[Drewstang]

Why go through the trouble of pulling the engine and reinstalling another engine that has the same fate as the blown one? That makes no sense. The iron block is stronger, the pistons are stronger, and most importantly the rods are stronger. So the compression ratio goes down to 8.5:1, big deal. He can use 87 octane fuel if he chooses to.

[RR|Suki]

Why go through the trouble of pulling the engine and reinstalling another engine that has the same fate as the blown one? That makes no sense. The iron block is stronger, the pistons are stronger, and most importantly the rods are stronger. So the compression ratio goes down to 8.5:1, big deal. He can use 87 octane fuel if he chooses to.

what... yeah I'm sure if he had a cobra motor it would of just laughed at overheating :shake:

[wesman]

Yep Looks like i'm headed to detroit this weekend.

[Joe Walsh]

Yep Looks like i'm headed to detroit this weekend.

Did you check with KarKraft in Livonia, Mich.?
They always had take-out Marauder and Mach I DOHCs for sale.

[jdando]

Hey Wes; Sorry to hear about the engine. Sounds like you have a line on a new one already!

jeremy

[FordNut]

Cobra motor NA can use regular fuel instead of premium.

[grampaws]

Sorry to hear,glad your still around and
no I don't know of any used engines..

[RoyLPita]

Keep us posted, Wes.

[CKMustangCobra]

I will never understand why people will spend the money for a iron block Cobra engine that will just run like ass and add about 80lbs to the front end.

Get a stock replacement or build the one you have. How bad was the overheat? Tear the engine down, take some measurements and see what you have. Maybe you just heated it enough to pop a few gaskets and everything else is within spec. Alls you need is a gasket kit, head resurface and you are back on the road.

Mil your head down .030 and get a tad more compression and HP out of it. Make sure you keep an eye on the theromstat from now on. I never leave a car running unattended unless it is in the warming up phase and I have to run in the house for a moment.

My buddie started his racecar one evening and forgot his wallet.... ran in the house and heard a loud pop. He goes back in the garage and there is oil all over the floor and his engine seized. A $3 hose connection popped and all 7 qts of oil was pumped out onto the floor and it seized his $8000 engine. All because he left it run unattended. He would've seen his guages and low oil PSI warning light and saved his engine.

Sucks.

[Joe Walsh]

I will never understand why people will spend the money for a iron block Cobra engine that will just run like a*s and add about 80lbs to the front end.


I have to agree...Until I see lots of aluminum engine blocks, N/A or S/C, failing due to excess stress.....why put a low compression iron block back in a Marauder?
:dunno:

[merc]

I have to agree...Until I see lots of aluminum engine blocks, N/A or S/C, failing due to excess stress.....why put a low compression iron block back in a Marauder?
:dunno:

The first pre-production design of the 03 Cobra with the blower added did use an aluminum block but the extreme heat caused by the blower was causing the heads to warp and develop fine cracks in the cylinder walls. So they had to go with the cast iron block to eliminate this problem since they did not have enough time to address the heat problems given their projected production date.


This iron vs aluminum argument will never end. I have a good friend who is a software engineer for Ford (designs EEC software) He told me the conversations that went on inside of Ford about this subject were very heated at times. Ford WANTED to go aluminum for the weight factor (hence CAFE) But they felt there might be a durability issue because they knew these engines would be subjected to modification and more boost when used in sanctioned racing. They felt to build an aluminum block that would hold up to their standards would require new tooling...and THAT is expensive. Using an existing or previous production block was not considered as they felt it wouldn't stand up. So the comments about holding 1200 hp are not supported by Ford engineers. Remember, they are thinking about longevity issues more than anything else. A block that would hold up to race only environments would also have to hold up to many, many miles of street use too. Ford has VERY strict guidelines as to what any new engine must perform to when it comes to these issues. If it won't perform to these, they have no choice but to look elsewhere. The 4.6 aluminum didn't pass these tests.

PS: Nascar uses iron blocks also. I think all the teams use iron blocks. The other side of the coin that most people don't talk about us reusability.

[Joe Walsh]

The first pre-production design of the 03 Cobra with the blower added did use an aluminum block but the extreme heat caused by the blower was causing the heads to warp and develop fine cracks in the cylinder walls. So they had to go with the cast iron block to eliminate this problem since they did not have enough time to address the heat problems given their projected production date.


This iron vs aluminum argument will never end. I have a good friend who is a software engineer for Ford (designs EEC software) He told me the conversations that went on inside of Ford about this subject were very heated at times. Ford WANTED to go aluminum for the weight factor (hence CAFE) But they felt there might be a durability issue because they knew these engines would be subjected to modification and more boost when used in sanctioned racing. They felt to build an aluminum block that would hold up to their standards would require new tooling...and THAT is expensive. Using an existing or previous production block was not considered as they felt it wouldn't stand up. So the comments about holding 1200 hp are not supported by Ford engineers. Remember, they are thinking about longevity issues more than anything else. A block that would hold up to race only environments would also have to hold up to many, many miles of street use too. Ford has VERY strict guidelines as to what any new engine must perform to when it comes to these issues. If it won't perform to these, they have no choice but to look elsewhere. The 4.6 aluminum didn't pass these tests.

PS: Nascar uses iron blocks also. I think all the teams use iron blocks. The other side of the coin that most people don't talk about us reusability.

I can't disagree with that information. I was always curious as to why Ford didn't use TEKSID blocks for the Cobras.
I think that the foundry in Italy no longer had the contract to do the castings for the aluminum blocks.
A majority of Cobra's are subjected to way more boost than the OEM set-up.
I was framing my response in regards to Wes staying N/A.

[merc]

I can't disagree with that information. I was always curious as to why Ford didn't use TEKSID blocks for the Cobras.
I think that the foundry in Italy no longer had the contract to do the castings for the aluminum blocks.
A majority of Cobra's are subjected to more boost than the OEM set-up.
I was framing my response in regards to Wes staying N/A.

N/A is another can of worms. You can compensate the weight factor with boost, but in N/A trim it's all about the pounds. Lighter is better.

[RR|Suki]

N/A is another can of worms. You can compensate the weight factor with boost, but in N/A trim it's all about the pounds. Lighter is better.

not only the weight but the drop in compression will lower your power a bit, and increase fuel consumption... I dunno if I would want to be able to use 89 fuel that badly.

[CKMustangCobra]

Aluminum Cobra blocks are good for over 1000hp and are powering cars down the 1/4 mile in 6 seconds.

Ford wanted extra insurance as far as warrantys go for the 03/04 Cobra and models after... so they went with iron.

IMO... putting Aluminum heads on an iron block is more of an overheat hazard than have two like metals heat up and expand with eachother.

When I see an aluminum block blow to bits with 500hp I will start to condsider Iron.

[FordNut]

When I see an aluminum block blow to bits with 500hp I will start to condsider Iron.

A bunch of us have done this... I've done it twice. It's mostly due to the internal parts (powdered metal rods and hypereutectic pistons) rather than the block. But if you buy a factory rebuild that's the parts they use. Cast iron Cobra factory rebuilds have better internal parts because that's what they were originally built with.

[merc]

Aluminum Cobra blocks are good for over 1000hp and are powering cars down the 1/4 mile in 6 seconds.

Ford wanted extra insurance as far as warrantys go for the 03/04 Cobra and models after... so they went with iron.

IMO... putting Aluminum heads on an iron block is more of an overheat hazard than have two like metals heat up and expand with eachother.

When I see an aluminum block blow to bits with 500hp I will start to condsider Iron.

Any car that can run 6 second is not a street driven car. Race motors are replace several times in a season. Sometimes pistons, rod, and values are replaced on the same event. I think what we are talking about is a street driven car with light track duty. Reliability and safety is the goal most Marauder owners want in their car. The chooses for a reasonable power solutions is limited to your personal budget. Very few of us will ever swap out an engine regardless of material used in the manufacturing process.

[wesman]

At this point i don't want 1000hp or 500hp, i just want it back on the road. Then i have to decide whether to keep it or not, before gas goes back up again.

[Zack]

How much for the whole car in its current state?

[wesman]

How much for the whole car in its current state?

I just checked the autotrader and cars with over 100,000 miles are going for $9000. that minus repair costs, i guess i'm keeping it.

[MADRODER]

Sorry to hear about your motor, hopefully you can get the Marauder out at Mosport later this year as I was really looking forward to meeting up at the track this summer, all the best in your search.

[Peter]

Hi Wes; sorry to here about your troubles.
I remember seeing somewhere a month ago a Marauder powertrain for sale, I'll try ang dig it up for you.

All the best,
Peter

[Peter]

At this point i don't want 1000hp or 500hp, i just want it back on the road. Then i have to decide whether to keep it or not, before gas goes back up again.
Also, should you sell it send me pm ;)

[wesman]

Got an engine in Detroit for $1300. hope it works...

[CKMustangCobra]

A bunch of us have done this... I've done it twice. It's mostly due to the internal parts (powdered metal rods and hypereutectic pistons) rather than the block. But if you buy a factory rebuild that's the parts they use. Cast iron Cobra factory rebuilds have better internal parts because that's what they were originally built with.

Agreed. Why not just buy better internals and build them with your existing block... assuming the block isn't toast. If it was just an overheat I am sure the block is fine. Might need a deck re-surface.


Any car that can run 6 second is not a street driven car. Race motors are replace several times in a season. Sometimes pistons, rod, and values are replaced on the same event. I think what we are talking about is a street driven car with light track duty. Reliability and safety is the goal most Marauder owners want in their car. The chooses for a reasonable power solutions is limited to your personal budget. Very few of us will ever swap out an engine regardless of material used in the manufacturing process.

Agreed... but people seem to think the aluminum block is a bad block for reliability. The block is more than capable. Engine needs to be built with quality internals. If I had the cash I would swap my rods/pistons with 03 Cobra rods/pistons and keep the block.

[wesman]

Got a stock engine for $1300, installed for $1200, plus new cats to pass etest and couple miscellaneous things, another $700. and battery died to top it all off.

[Joe Walsh]

Got a stock engine for $1300, installed for $1200, plus new cats to pass etest and couple miscellaneous things, another $700. and battery died to top it all off.

Congrats Wes!
Glad to see that you are back in action...more track time now?

[grampaws]

Glad to hear your getting back on the road!!