Latest Project here at Curless Auto

[Curless]

Well sooner or later I figured we'd get one in. Had Melfunkshun's Marauder on the hoist for the last couple of days. Came in for an upgrade after being here and test driving my MM with me last fall. Complete rear end rebuild including all new bearings, seals, axles, posi rebuild, 4.10 gears, Girdled cover, Lidio tune instal and the first "Curless Cure" I've done for someone else. Took her out and broke the gears in, I'd say that was the hardest 50 miles Mel has ever driven! He wanted to get after her sooooo badly! Finally did and thats when the laughter started! So cool to see a happy customer's face! Thanks for letting my shop be the first one to mod your MM Mel!:beer:

[guspech750]

That awesome.

So cool too!!


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[MMcactusflower]

Terrific! Love it!
I want to do the same thing with my DTR one day...hopefully, in the not tooooooooooooo distant future.

[Curless]

Terrific! Love it!
I want to do the same thing with my DTR one day...hopefully, in the not tooooooooooooo distant future.

They are a completely different animal when they are geared and tuned!

Don't hesitate, you will NEVER regret it!:beer:

[melfunkshun]

Thanks again Chris for everything.... The past few days have been so much fun driving the Marauder, but not as fun as you're having in Louisville... We'll do Louisville another time :)

[Marauderjack]

Chris.......

Nice work and I know he is HAPPY but why do ya have to "Break In" new gears.....NEVER did that on a new car......just drove the crap out of it and never had a problem??:confused:

Just curious?? And did ya drain and refill the differential after only 50 miles??:eek:

[babbage]

Chris.......

Nice work and I know he is HAPPY but why do ya have to "Break In" new gears.....NEVER did that on a new car......just drove the crap out of it and never had a problem??:confused:

Just curious?? And did ya drain and refill the differential after only 50 miles??:eek:

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6919071488/hDEF4E2E1/

First heat cycle is critical, after normal driving of 10 minutes new gears ESPECIALLY 4.10 and higher the rear diff cover is hot enough to BURN YOUR HAND.

New Marauders had 3.55 from the factory (less heat) and the first heat cycle is done at assembly. Delivery to dealer is 2nd or third heat cycle.

A gear set that's properly broken in will be harder, quieter and last longer than without. It's silly to me that I have to "debate" this again with you.

Show me one engine builder that says to "race the piss out of it" first time you fire it. No they don't --they give you special break in oil and tell you to take it easy for the first new miles. same principal here.

[Marauderjack]

I DIDN'T ASK YOU!!!:rolleyes:

[babbage]

lol - reasons are the SAME who ever does the install. Curless obviously knows what he is doing. Good job Curless.

[justbob]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I have never once broke in gears. Hell, my 4.30's were broke in i guess? Right in the parking lot of the speedshop that did it they were bedded at 80 or so for about a foot I suppose.

Good job making members happy Chris!


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

[Chayton]

just redid the bearings on my ranger... lol! that was fun.. no more grinding though :P

[Spectragod]

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6919071488/hDEF4E2E1/

Show me one engine builder that says to "race the piss out of it" first time you fire it. No they don't --they give you special break in oil and tell you to take it easy for the first new miles. same principal here.

Lidio does, straps them to the dyno and runs them pretty much wide open (while tuning) for 25 miles, then changes the oil/filter, and does it again.

At least that's what HE told me, so it could be hearsay.

[Marauderjack]

Lidio does, straps them to the dyno and runs them pretty much wide open (while tuning) for 25 miles, then changes the oil/filter, and does it again.

At least that's what HE told me, so it could be hearsay.

^^^+10^^^

All NASCAR builders strap 'em down.....fire 'em up and take 'em to around 7K RPM's then to top end......often around 9K RPM's!!:bows:

[Curless]

^^^+10^^^

All NASCAR builders strap 'em down.....fire 'em up and take 'em to around 7K RPM's then to top end......often around 9K RPM's!!:bows:


Lets not forget that NASCAR only needs them to run 505 miles...you know, it really does not matter. Its not like taking your time and "breaking" them in is going to hurt anything. If you don't want to...don't. Its your car and your money. For my customers, my warranty, my piece of mind...I break them in.:beer:

[burt ragio]

Chris.......

Nice work and I know he is HAPPY but why do ya have to "Break In" new gears.....NEVER did that on a new car......just drove the crap out of it and never had a problem??:confused:

Just curious?? And did ya drain and refill the differential after only 50 miles??:eek:

Quality set of Ford racing gears there is no break in time needed.
Other than mentioned what else was done to the car you said you had it in the shop for a few days ?

[lji372]

Lets not forget that NASCAR only needs them to run 505 miles...you know, it really does not matter. Its not like taking your time and "breaking" them in is going to hurt anything. If you don't want to...don't. Its your car and your money. For my customers, my warranty, my piece of mind...I break them in.:beer:

:beer: ah peace.............reminds me of christmas..........in a cup:beer:

[Curless]

:beer: ah peace.............reminds me of christmas..........in a cup:beer:

Oh yeah!!!!!! and little beers!!!!:beer:

[ctrlraven]

Well sooner or later I figured we'd get one in. Had Melfunkshun's Marauder on the hoist for the last couple of days. Came in for an upgrade after being here and test driving my MM with me last fall. Complete rear end rebuild including all new bearings, seals, axles, posi rebuild, 4.10 gears, Girdled cover, Lidio tune instal and the first "Curless Cure" I've done for someone else. Took her out and broke the gears in, I'd say that was the hardest 50 miles Mel has ever driven! He wanted to get after her sooooo badly! Finally did and thats when the laughter started! So cool to see a happy customer's face! Thanks for letting my shop be the first one to mod your MM Mel!:beer:
Was this an 03 or 04 MM and what was the mileage on those axles?

[Curless]

Was this an 03 or 04 MM and what was the mileage on those axles?

03 300A, 92,450 miles

[melfunkshun]

I'm shocked I got 92,000 on those axles.... I've had my Marauder for almost 9 years and I started to hear the infamous roar right before I put it away last fall...

[Joe Walsh]

I always adhered to the break 'em in gentle theory....but then I read this:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

:hmmm:

BTW: Interesting pix of those axles with the bearing wear pattern.

[Marauderjack]

I always adhered to the break 'em in gentle theory....but then I read this:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

^^+1^^!!!:beer:

[babbage]

Originally Posted by Joe Walsh http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1286096#post1 286096)
I always adhered to the break 'em in gentle theory....but then I read this:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm


^^+1^^!!!:beer:

Engines=yes Gears=no. Perhaps I used a bad example. Show me one major ring and pinon manufacturer that says not to break in new gears, especially numerically high gears.

Richmong Gear says:
A new ring and pinion installation, especially a high numeric ratio with new bearings, can cause an excessive heat buildup in the rear end and cause softening of the gear teeth and bearings if a break in is not performed.


Motive Gear says:
19. Change the rearend fluid at 1000 miles. This is because during break-in, the gears and bearings will have some material chip off or wear off, contaminating the fluid. Many chemicals used in heat treating or case
hardening are from the potassium nitrate family. This mixed with gear oil produces a number of corrosive acids. These acids also break down the oil film, rendering the lubricant useless. Steel to steel contact then
happens leading to ultimate failure.

[Odinson]

I always adhered to the break 'em in gentle theory....but then I read this:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

:hmmm:

BTW: Interesting pix of those axles with the bearing wear pattern.

Thanks. This makes a lot of sense and can get you out of a ticket.

OK probably not the ticket.

[Marauderjack]

Originally Posted by Joe Walsh http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1286096#post1 286096)
I always adhered to the break 'em in gentle theory....but then I read this:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm



Engines=yes Gears=no. Perhaps I used a bad example. Show me one major ring and pinon manufacturer that says not to break in new gears, especially numerically high gears.

Richmong Gear says:
A new ring and pinion installation, especially a high numeric ratio with new bearings, can cause an excessive heat buildup in the rear end and cause softening of the gear teeth and bearings if a break in is not performed.


Motive Gear says:
19. Change the rearend fluid at 1000 miles. This is because during break-in, the gears and bearings will have some material chip off or wear off, contaminating the fluid. Many chemicals used in heat treating or case
hardening are from the potassium nitrate family. This mixed with gear oil produces a number of corrosive acids. These acids also break down the oil film, rendering the lubricant useless. Steel to steel contact then
happens leading to ultimate failure.





Aftermarket is always super cautious.......liability is the name of the game is bidness and they want every possible out so give me a break here!!:shake: They'd just as soon you put 'em on a shelf and never install em!!:rolleyes:

Now, if I were to replace my rear gears with FORD 3:55's just like I am running now you are saying I would have to "break them in" with some magical procedure or they will fail??:cool:

Just curious as I have never replaced any rear gears but I am aware they do get HOT AS HELL especially in Summer!!

BTW....my OEM gears are still quiet at 247K miles and the OEM LSD still does the "Two Stripe" BUT I don't drag race or do burnouts...maybe that's the difference??

If I ever replaced them I would probably go easy a few miles and listen for weird sounds but what do you do if they whine from the beginning??

Curless is doing exactly what I would do if I was in his shoes......he does not need returns and rebuilds........NO PROFIT and no mods for his car!!;)

Y'all have a nice weekend!!:beer: