Cooling mod for 2004s?

[KZEWfreak]

I'm well aware of the cooling issue with the head on the '03 Marauders and Aviators...

Went through this issue 3 years ago with my Aviator when the head/valve burned up and compression dropped...Instead of replacing just one head on a 85,000 mile engine, I dropped a new 4.6 32V in her and there haven't been any problems...then it hit me.

I hope Ford corrected this "cooling" issue after it was discovered in 2003...

I'm wondering if the cooling mod is necessary on a 2004 Marauder...I'm assuming Ford caught this problem, and fixed it the next year...but hten again you know what happens when you assume...

Anyone know if the 4.6 43V engines produced after 2003 need the cooling mod?

KV

[SC Cheesehead]

I'm well aware of the cooling issue with the head on the '03 Marauders and Aviators...

Went through this issue 3 years ago with my Aviator when the head/valve burned up and compression dropped...Instead of replacing just one head on a 85,000 mile engine, I dropped a new 4.6 32V in her and there haven't been any problems...then it hit me.

I hope Ford corrected this "cooling" issue after it was discovered in 2003...

I'm wondering if the cooling mod is necessary on a 2004 Marauder...I'm assuming Ford caught this problem, and fixed it the next year...but hten again you know what happens when you assume...

Anyone know if the 4.6 43V engines produced after 2003 need the cooling mod?

KV

AFAIK, the head cooling issue is on both years, only difference between the engines was the addition of a second knock sensor in '04.

[a_d_a_m]

That is also my understanding.

[lifespeed]

I believe there was a running change when they cut in a revised casting with improved cooling on the production line circa 2004 model year. Supposedly these were marked with blue paint. During the changeover there were some engines produced with the improved casting on only one side.

[screamn]

I believe there was a running change when they cut in a revised casting with improved cooling on the production line circa 2004 model year. Supposedly these were marked with blue paint. During the changeover there were some engines produced with the improved casting on only one side.

Interesting........I will check mine to see if I can find the blue mark.

And where is this blue mark located? Somewhere on the head? Block?

[fastblackmerc]

I'd spend the extra $$$ just for "piece of mind". Installing the mod couldn't hurt anything.

Yes I do have one installed on my '04.

[lifespeed]

Interesting........I will check mine to see if I can find the blue mark.

And where is this blue mark located? Somewhere on the head? Block?

Supposedly on the head. This is just from reading on the internet (http://forums.corral.net/forums/svt-dohc/1375453-caution-controversial-topic-how-true-8th-paragraph.html). Take it all with a grain of salt.

[screamn]

Thanks for the reply. Will keep in mind but I may just have to do the cooling mod one day soon for peace of mind just as Fastblackmerc stated above.

And better yet, set my mind at ease!!!!

[KZEWfreak]

Thanks for the info...I appreciate it.
I'll look for the blue mark myself...I assume the mark is on THE HEAD, NOT THE COVER OR BLOCK?

[babbage]

http://www.reinhartperformance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12345&Product_Code=MM_RCK&Category_Code=9

This is a rear head cooling mod, it has a nice billet machined piece, with o-ring.

[a_d_a_m]

http://www.musclemerc.com/Parts-3.php (scroll down a bit)
This is Travis's mod and while it isn't as pretty as Dennis', it is 1/8" more free-flowing. This is basically the same one I have installed on my car, but I bought mine from Zack.

Either one is acceptable.

(If you get the Travis mod, you can contact him and view installation instructions at www.thechicagogarage.com )

[Marauderjack]

My '04 car has gone 244K+ miles without the "cooling mod" and the last 160K Supercharged......it may blow tomorrow but I don't believe this mod is necessary with a conservative tune and running the proper fuel!!:cool:

I don't know about any changes Ford made between '03 and '04....perhaps that it why mine is still alive??:bandit:

[babbage]

My '04 car has gone 244K+ miles without the "cooling mod" and the last 160K Supercharged......it may blow tomorrow but I don't believe this mod is necessary with a conservative tune and running the proper fuel!!:cool:

I don't know about any changes Ford made between '03 and '04....perhaps that it why mine is still alive??:bandit:

Perhaps you are lucky and have the revised heads. There have been many, this this very problem. How many times have you seen an MM engine with problems and it turns out to be Cly 8. This is not coincidence.

[Marauderjack]

Perhaps you are lucky and have the revised heads. There have been many, this this very problem. How many times have you seen an MM engine with problems and it turns out to be Cly 8. This is not coincidence.

Could be and the fact I don't torture my car with burnouts and it has not been to the track!!:shake:

I bought it for bidness and put about 100K miles on it the first 2 years......then came the ProCharger and I figured it would blow pretty quick.....guess I've just been lucky??:beer:

[babbage]

I'm sure this helps, do you ever see "boost". Heat kills for sure, that's why I've tried to keep mine cool. You should add the Trans Temp function (custom) to your SGII...

[Marauderjack]

Never ever saw "boost"........are you nuts or just messin' with me??:shake:

Actually, I put the ProCharger on just to see how much the parasitic drag would reduce my fuel economy....sheesh??!!

Many time my IAT's have seen 160* in Summer......my tune pulls a LOT of timing above 100*......that's what I meant about "conservative" tuning!!:rolleyes:

[ctrlraven]

I'm interested to see if mine has any issue on cyl 7 or 8, 180k+ with no cooling mod. I'll probably do a compression and leak-down test before I get my motor replaced.

[Marauderjack]

I'm interested to see if mine has any issue on cyl 7 or 8, 180k+ with no cooling mod. I'll probably do a compression and leak-down test before I get my motor replaced.

That would certainly be interesting and constructive!!:beer:

[babbage]

I'm interested to see if mine has any issue on cyl 7 or 8, 180k+ with no cooling mod. I'll probably do a compression and leak-down test before I get my motor replaced.
+1 this would be interesting to see.


Never ever saw "boost"........are you nuts or just messin' with me??:shake:

Actually, I put the ProCharger on just to see how much the parasitic drag would reduce my fuel economy....sheesh??!!

Many time my IAT's have seen 160* in Summer......my tune pulls a LOT of timing above 100*......that's what I meant about "conservative" tuning!!:rolleyes:
Re: tune that's good..
:poke: :D Just teasing. I think you need to get a timeslip! :banana2:

[Vortech347]

The blue paint is a myth.

Both 03' Cobra's I have had featured blue paint on the heads. One of them was an early 03' build.

I believe the cooling improved heads are the 05+ revisions.

[SC Cheesehead]

The blue paint is a myth.

Both 03' Cobra's I have had featured blue paint on the heads. One of them was an early 03' build.

I believe the cooling improved heads are the 05+ revisions.

Yup.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83203

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