Hello Everyone. Here's my LONG Intro! **Pic Heavy**

[Dave1kRR]

**Long intro post alert!** This will be 2 separate posts.

I’ve been lurking this forum for too long now, decided I’d join and say thanks for some of the info I received from this forum. Here’s my condensed version of the “saga”.

Like most of you, I told myself ten years ago I’d get a Marauder one day after seeing one for the first time. Luckily my growing family size insisted I get a four door sedan and leave the pickup truck just for towing/hauling. I found this 2003 locally in August of last year. It wasn’t priced the best, but in the end, I got a good enough deal on her. She had right at 102k on the odometer, which I was quite happy about. I felt a slight misfire when I test drove her, but it’s nothing I couldn’t handle. I own an automotive repair shop here in Alpharetta, GA so I knew whatever it needed, I could probably take care of. Good thing I went in with this mindset. Lol. I put new brakes all around, new tires all around, and cleaned her up really good.
That “misfire” was on cylinder number 8. After putting a fresh set if Motorcraft plugs and one ignition coil, it didn’t take care of it. Did a compression test on all 8, and saving 8 for last it revealed a mechanical problem. At this point, I’d had it for 4 days. I just couldn’t drive it around knowing it wasn’t running right. The funny thing is, it wouldn’t set the MIL until I was sitting in traffic at idle (and it passed GA emissions). The other thing I noticed is the infamous clutches in the rear end were toast, but that was expected also, I put this issue on the back burner. Now, the fun part.
I had no interest of pulling the heads off of the motor while it sat in the car, so out it came. This is one of the easier motors I’ve pulled, and there have been many. I was pleased. It was 5 hours for the complete tear down, revealing a burnt exhaust valve on #8. I went ahead and cleaned everything else, making sure the bottom end was good to go.

Here’s some pics of the tear down.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef22756bf770c00 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517242 4390.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2264e60d6a300 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517253 7001.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef22650fdd63100 000040O11JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517252 3271.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2275668f6eb00 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517264 9240.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2269c8dd62700 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517263 4756.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef226d966174600 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517260 7852.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2273706b62d00 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517255 5270.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Continued on next post. :beer:

[Dave1kRR]

I took the cylinder heads to Dover in Atl. They had the best price and were very aware of the issue with these DOHC motors. The coolant flow to cylinders #7 and #8 isn’t very good, so they get too hot and burn valves. I had them replace all of the valve seats and all exhaust valves. They said the intake valves were good. While those were getting repaired, I went ahead with block clean up and parts ordering. Every seal, gasket, chain, chain tensioner, chain guide, and more were replaced. I de-carbed the top of the pistons also. At this time I also ordered the Even Flow Head Cooling Mod, and I had Dover knock the freeze plug out of the back of bank 2 to install it. Ordered some Flow Master Delta 50’s for the exhaust. I didn’t want to go with the 40’s and be too loud. (The 50’s sound awesome btw, AND they’re almost the same exact length of the stockers)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef227c23cf6f500 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517271 5177.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


After the heads came back, the assembly of all the “new” parts went pretty quick. That whole process took about 10 hours. I was extra careful during the torque sequence and chain installation. I did NOT want anything to be “off” at all!

Pics of it going back together:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2265bca969b00 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517313 5631.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2268023d68700 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517312 3449.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef22771c1b6c900 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517314 9426.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef2276ecd776200 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517320 1615.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef22626fed60900 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517321 4626.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef22764dc777600 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517245 3222.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


Fast- forward to last week. My transmission was leaking from the front pump seal. I was putting that off because I was pissed about over looking it during the engine rebuild. So, I started pulling that out. Once I pulled the drive shaft, there was diff fluid leaking from the pinion shaft but it was being covered by the drive shaft yoke. Well, this long story short, I got every gasket/seal for the trans. Front pump seal, torque converter seal, selector shaft seal, and tail shaft seal. (I’d already replaced the pan gasket during a mechanical reprogram mod to the valve body.) Then pulled the rear end apart, cleaned up the carrier, installed 4.10’s, new Ford Carbon Clutches, and all bearings/seals. Then, I ordered a JLT intake, Called MartyO over at MO’s Speed Shop, got an X3 with a custom tune for my bolt-on mods. I got that from him yesterday, and Oh boy. It’s really awesome. I’ll play around with the trans pressures to get it right where I want it, but I’m done for now. :)

This was right when I finished the engine work last summer.



http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3dc04b3127ccef227e84277ae00 000040O01JcOWzhi1B7efDA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D0050108609802013022517081 3335.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


Sorry this post is a little too long! I look forward to hangin' around for a while. I'm keeping this one for a long time. :burnout:

[CWright]

Welcome bro! That's an awesome write up! You should come out and join us the 3rd Saturday of each month at the Delk Road Cracker Barrell. We meet up in the back at 8am.

Also it's not too late to get on board to go to Louisville! :D I'm meeting up with a group on April 4th at 8am on Exit 318 in Calhoun. You are more than welcome to join us!

[lji372]

welcome :beer: (fixed)

[DOOM]

:welcome: to the site!

Car looks damn good for over 100K miles! :up:

[babbage]

Nice work! I assume you found the trick to burping the cooling system?

http://www.reischeperformance.com/refill.html

(They also make a really nice 170 T-stat if you hotrod it a lot...)

[Dave1kRR]

Thanks for the welcome fellas!!


Nice work! I assume you found the trick to burping the cooling system?

http://www.reischeperformance.com/refill.html

(They also make a really nice 170 T-stat if you hotrod it a lot...)

Yes, yes I did! Thanks for the link too. It wasn't as pretty as that because my small funnel grew legs and hid that late night I was finishing the job, but I improvised!!

[a_d_a_m]

Welcome to the site; was reading your first post HOPING you'd replaced those valve seats! Good job. Engine didn't look too bad for 100k - about what mine looked like when I yanked the cylinder head. I did mine with the engine in the bay.

[CBT]

Nice write up :beer:

[Dave1kRR]

Welcome to the site; was reading your first post HOPING you'd replaced those valve seats! Good job. Engine didn't look too bad for 100k - about what mine looked like when I yanked the cylinder head. I did mine with the engine in the bay.

Thanks for the welcome. Yes! That was the most important thing, the seats (and replacing the bad valve)! I removed the engine to perform the work; 1) to make it easier, 2)to reseal the entire engine, 3) I'm pretty anal when it comes to cars, 4) I pulled both heads because of the higher mileage, and I wanted to inspect the bottom end and pistons.

[Dave1kRR]

Nice write up :beer:

Thank you!

[PonyUP]

Welcome to the site and nice write up.

Looks like the Atlanta contingent has grown one larger :banana2::banana2:

[68MercuryM250]

Awesome write up!!

[Gryphonzus]

Welcome!! Good job on the motor. Look forward to meeting up some day!

[L.Mark]

Welcome to the site!! and nice job on not giving up on the car. She won't let ya down...

[Panther dude]

Thank you for posting such a detailed write up with some neat photos! You are a true Marauder man! How does your family "fit" in the awesome new machine?

[MOTOWN]

Welcome, looks like you brought your own madness! Funny thing is some still dont believe in the rear cooling mod! glad you do

Great rebuild

[guspech750]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/22/jy2e6a9a.jpg


That's some write and a really good read. Your car looks great and runs even better now. That's awesome!!


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[WhatsUpDOHC]

Welcome!!

Thanks for saving her. Any other buyer might have thrown in the towel.

Mark

[Dave1kRR]

Welcome to the site and nice write up.

Looks like the Atlanta contingent has grown one larger :banana2::banana2:

Thank you! I have only seen 1 Silver/Birch around since I bought mine. There's a Grand Marq in Alpharetta that has MM wheels and blacked out tail lens bar on the deck lid. Glad I can add to the site!


Awesome write up!!

Thank you!


Welcome!! Good job on the motor. Look forward to meeting up some day!

Thank you! I'm sure we will meet up at some point!


Welcome to the site!! and nice job on not giving up on the car. She won't let ya down...

Thanks for the welcome. I wasn't going to give up, I kinda knew what I was in for. lol. She impressed me this morning getting on to GA400. With the rear diff actually working, and with 4.10's, it's a whole new ballgame!


Thank you for posting such a detailed write up with some neat photos! You are a true Marauder man! How does your family "fit" in the awesome new machine?

Thanks! I try to be thorough with everything I do. I'm pretty detailed with my race bike too. I've always had a sickness for anything motor-related. The family fits perfect! I had a fully built JDM Honda Prelude as my previous commuter car, yeah, it didn't fit a baby's seat too well! lol. My wife still prefers to take her 2010 CR-V for some reason?


Welcome, looks like you brought your own madness! Funny thing is some still dont believe in the rear cooling mod! glad you do

Great rebuild

Thank you. Why do they not believe in it? It's happened to ALOT of 4.6's and 5.4's DOHC. I guess they like replacing cylinder heads?


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/22/jy2e6a9a.jpg


That's some write and a really good read. Your car looks great and runs even better now. That's awesome!!


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

Thanks! It's the short version! :) She does run much better now.


Welcome!!

Thanks for saving her. Any other buyer might have thrown in the towel.

Mark

I think that's what happened to the guy that was selling it! Luckily his dad is the one that negotiated with me and I got it for a deal, the son was trying to get top dollar and told me nothing was wrong with it. I made a point to tell him what was wrong with it in person after the fact.

[Marauder_Santa]

Where in Alpharetta is your shop? Did I happen to see you this morning (3/22/13 730am) on Mansell heading to Ga 400 north?

Come out to breakfast in Marietta. 3rd Saturday of each month.

[FreddieH]

Welcome to the site!

[Dave1kRR]

Where in Alpharetta is your shop? Did I happen to see you this morning (3/22/13 730am) on Mansell heading to Ga 400 north?

Come out to breakfast in Marietta. 3rd Saturday of each month.

My Shop:
Performance Tire and Auto of Alpharetta (full service auto repair)
DBA Goodyear Tire and Service
5358 McGinnis Ferry Rd
Alpharetta, GA 30005

We're on McGinnis right near Windward Pkwy.

http://www.goodyearofalpharetta.com/

Yes! That was me! I suppose you got a good laugh as I'm still getting used to the limited slip actually working (if you saw that part) in combination with the wet pavement. LOL. Were you going the same direction, in your Marauder?

I'll see about breakfast, the only catch is that I work every Saturday. I'm not in the correct industry to have Saturdays off! Thanks for the invite though! Hopefully I'll make it sometime.


Welcome to the site!

Thanks!

[Dave1kRR]

Welcome bro! That's an awesome write up! You should come out and join us the 3rd Saturday of each month at the Delk Road Cracker Barrell. We meet up in the back at 8am.

Also it's not too late to get on board to go to Louisville! :D I'm meeting up with a group on April 4th at 8am on Exit 318 in Calhoun. You are more than welcome to join us!

I thought I replied to this post! Thanks for the invite to CB! I work on Saturdays, and when I take off on Saturdays I'm at the track with my CBR, so hopefully I'll make it to one at some point!!

[Marauder_Santa]

My Shop:
Performance Tire and Auto of Alpharetta (full service auto repair)
DBA Goodyear Tire and Service
5358 McGinnis Ferry Rd
Alpharetta, GA 30005

We're on McGinnis right near Windward Pkwy.

http://www.goodyearofalpharetta.com/

Yes! That was me! I suppose you got a good laugh as I'm still getting used to the limited slip actually working (if you saw that part) in combination with the wet pavement. LOL. Were you going the same direction, in your Marauder? I was in my Marauder. I have a DTR.

I'll see about breakfast, the only catch is that I work every Saturday. I'm not in the correct industry to have Saturdays off! Thanks for the invite though! Hopefully I'll make it sometime.



Thanks!

I was traveling eastbound on Mansell and saw you waiting at the light to get onto 400N. I will need to stop by your shop and visit. I was in my Marauder. I have a DTR.

[martyo]

Hey Dave, welcome aboard! Glad you like the tune.

Sorry I missed this thread when it was posted!

[Dave1kRR]

I was traveling eastbound on Mansell and saw you waiting at the light to get onto 400N. I will need to stop by your shop and visit. I was in my Marauder. I have a DTR.

Ahh, I see. Usually I'm pretty good about spotting cars, but I was on the phone with the Mrs. at that time. :)


Hey Dave, welcome aboard! Glad you like the tune.

Sorry I missed this thread when it was posted!

I do like the tune! I still have some questions I'd like to throw your way. I'm still playing around with the trans pressures and such.

[martyo]

I do like the tune! I still have some questions I'd like to throw your way. I'm still playing around with the trans pressures and such.

Just holler at me.

I will be at teh shop for a good bit tomorrow and if I can't answer your question, I can put Jeff on the phone.

[Ozark Marauder]

:beer:Welcome to the site. She looks great. Thanks for saving her.....:D

OZ

[8UWITH6]

Its nice to see people saving these cars instead of parting them out. Good job. Nice car. ENJOY!

[RacerX]

Very nice!
I'm curious as to why you didn't change rod and main bearings while you had it out that far and with that much mileage on it. Easy enough to do. Make a strap to go across the piston holes so you keep the pistons in and don't have to re-ring. :beer:

[Dave1kRR]

Just holler at me.

I will be at teh shop for a good bit tomorrow and if I can't answer your question, I can put Jeff on the phone.

Will do!


:beer:Welcome to the site. She looks great. Thanks for saving her.....:D

OZ

I'm glad I saved her also! I'm very much enjoying it.


Its nice to see people saving these cars instead of parting them out. Good job. Nice car. ENJOY!

Thanks, I couldn't imagine doing that!


Very nice!
I'm curious as to why you didn't change rod and main bearings while you had it out that far and with that much mileage on it. Easy enough to do. Make a strap to go across the piston holes so you keep the pistons in and don't have to re-ring. :beer:

The previous owner had actually taken pretty good care of oil changes, etc. I had both of my techs look at it with me and we decided it wasn't necessary. I'm not too keen on putting new bearings on worn parts as it is. There is always a slight "wear" pattern on engine components that sometimes don't always agree with new bearings, and based on what I saw, it was good enough for me. I was also on a time crunch. The wife was going out of town, and I needed the car for baby transportation purposes!! lol. If I had time (and money) i would've done some bottom end work with machining, etc.

[Dave1kRR]

I was traveling eastbound on Mansell and saw you waiting at the light to get onto 400N. I will need to stop by your shop and visit. I was in my Marauder. I have a DTR.

Saw you this AM, same spot, same time as last week. I was a behind a few cars, but still managed to see you stroll by. :) The DTR looks good! (3/25/13 7:25AM)

[Marauder_Santa]

Saw you this AM, same spot, same time as last week. I was a behind a few cars, but still managed to see you stroll by. :) The DTR looks good! (3/25/13 7:25AM)

Kewl! This is the first time I have been spotted - well at least first time someone has posted that they spotted me. I didn't see you, maybe because there were cars in the lft lane that blocked my vision.

I sometimes see a Silver Birch in the morning on Westside Pkwy South heading to Mansell East.

If you can't make the breakfast on Saturday's, maybe you can meet up with us as Caffine and Octaine off Windward every first Sunday morning of the month. Are you aware of this event?

[Dave1kRR]

Kewl! This is the first time I have been spotted - well at least first time someone has posted that they spotted me. I didn't see you, maybe because there were cars in the lft lane that blocked my vision.

I sometimes see a Silver Birch in the morning on Westside Pkwy South heading to Mansell East.

If you can't make the breakfast on Saturday's, maybe you can meet up with us as Caffine and Octaine off Windward every first Sunday morning of the month. Are you aware of this event?

I wasn't aware of this. Good to know!! Thanks.

[1stMerc]

Welcome aboard.

BTW, is that a road race or 1320 bike?

[Dave1kRR]

Thanks for the welcome! Road race. :)

http://www.highsidephoto.com/albums/DavidBustle/Bargy%20School%20at%20TGPR%20-%20June,%202012/slides/X-ACT_TGPR-20120609-2436.jpg

[1stMerc]

Thanks for the welcome! Road race. :)

http://www.highsidephoto.com/albums/DavidBustle/Bargy%20School%20at%20TGPR%20-%20June,%202012/slides/X-ACT_TGPR-20120609-2436.jpg

Cool, you a member of WERA. I was back in late 80's early 90's

[Dave1kRR]

Cool, you a member of WERA. I was back in late 80's early 90's

Awesome! Do you still ride?

Well, I was going to pursue that path. A couple of years ago, I took the Ed Bargy School, was just about to buy my race license, then found out a baby was on the way. Now I have an 11 month old son and enjoying that everyday. So, I've had to put that ambition on the back burner. :) I try to do several track days/weekends every year with a bunch of friends, but the funding has been lacking! lol.

[GAMike]

Welcome to the party Dave :) Hope are able to make some of our meets and hang out.

[Dave1kRR]

Welcome to the party Dave :) Hope are able to make some of our meets and hang out.

Thank you, sir! I hope so too!

[HiHoSilver]

Welcome! That bad boy is like brand new now!

[1stMerc]

Awesome! Do you still ride?

Well, I was going to pursue that path. A couple of years ago, I took the Ed Bargy School, was just about to buy my race license, then found out a baby was on the way. Now I have an 11 month old son and enjoying that everyday. So, I've had to put that ambition on the back burner. :) I try to do several track days/weekends every year with a bunch of friends, but the funding has been lacking! lol.

No, haven't ridden in years.

[jb513]

Welcome.... Dave1KRR!! Excelent write up!

[82dawgcrazy]

Welcome Dave. Great write up. She looks like new.