Sad Day for my Marauder - Blown Engine

[robertmee]

Was on my way to meet wife at her Doctor and kaboom. Not getting on it or anything, just normal acceleration onto freeway. At first I though blown head gasket as white smoke out tailpipes. Drove about 30 seconds before the shoulder widened to where I could pull over. Turned car off. Little whisps of smoke from Engine bay, a hand size puddle of oil on ground.

It was freezing cold and I needed to get to wife, so called tow service and had it towed to a nearby shop recommened by fellow MM owner Jim (FastBlackMerc). They just called and said rod through the passenger side of block and hole about the size of four fingers.

Don't have any idea why...I baby the car never getting on it. Even have less radical pully on the SC. Oil always changed with quality synthetic. I have oil PSI right by knee and religiously watch it and never out of whack. Oil and Water Temp fine before I turned on to on ramp as far as I know. Never had a drop on the driveway.

Just sick to my stomach. I love this car, but we just moved to a new home (for us) and I don't know if I can spend this amount of $$$ on a used car that's worth 15K at the end of the day. Don't know whether to part it and take my losses, find a used block, put in a new longblock (that's what the shop is pricing out), or ?

What are my options for a new block or options period?

[martyo]

Do you need just a block or a whole motor?

[robertmee]

Block for sure....The mechanic was out when I called. The owner was rattling off about all they will do is swap in a new crate long block, so I'll probably have to find a new place to do anything, as I can't see going through the expense of that unless everything got toasted.

I've got a car hauler friend that can bring it to Georgia ;)

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Look for a low mile Marauder, Mach 1 or Aviator motor and swap the trilogy to it.

Or build an aluminator if you can spare the coin.

[Vortech347]

In the book "Iron Fist Lead Foot" they talk about using these same rods in the Terminators during development and If I remember right they said the "walls of the dyno room were scared from shattering rods and block pieces"

Factory cracked rods/ hyper pistons. Sure some guys get away with never having a problem at some ridiculous number. But longevity testing made Ford go with better rods. And that was for around 400 flywheel HP. A Marauder to make 400RW HP you're looking at least 450 fly.

[slickster]

Terminator swap will far less likely go then stock motor

[Mr. Man]

Block for sure....The mechanic was out when I called. The owner was rattling off about all they will do is swap in a new crate long block, so I'll probably have to find a new place to do anything, as I can't see going through the expense of that unless everything got toasted.

I've got a car hauler friend that can bring it to Georgia ;)

If you do really have a guy that can haul it to Mo's I'd give Marty a call and send him a few pics of the damage. Perhaps he can give you a ball park price to fix it with a short block or give you a few other options with guesstimates. This might help you in you decision making.

Hope it all comes together.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

In the book "Iron Fist Lead Foot" they talk about using these same rods in the Terminators during development and If I remember right they said the "walls of the dyno room were scared from shattering rods and block pieces"

Factory cracked rods/ hyper pistons. Sure some guys get away with never having a problem at some ridiculous number. But longevity testing made Ford go with better rods. And that was for around 400 flywheel HP. A Marauder to make 400RW HP you're looking at least 450 fly.

Well that's depressing. :( Stupid ford. Termi setup should have been standard in these cars.

[martyo]

I've got a car hauler friend that can bring it to Georgia ;)

You may need an entire motor if something got loose inside or you windowed the block.

I have a source for reman'd MM motors with 100,000 mile warranties. I can ship to you or you can come to me for the swap.

Let me know if we can be of any help.

[Zack]

Too bad you aren't closer to me.
We could find a Cobra or similar shortblock, recondition the heads, and with labor you'd be under 4 grand.

[nh muscle]

File a claim with you insurance company tell them it was bad gas. Hopefully you mechanics can rule out factory defects as well as s bad tune. It worked for me . My ins co is paying $14000.00 to fix it because I could prove it was the gas. You have nothing to lose. Then tow it to Marty or Zack or lideo and pace back and forth waiting for it!

[JoeBoomz]

You may need an entire motor if something got loose inside or you windowed the block.

I have a source for reman'd MM motors with 100,000 mile warranties. I can ship to you or you can come to me for the swap.

Let me know if we can be of any help.


Hi Marty, out of curiosity, what are you selling a reman'd MM motor for?

[Vortech347]

Too bad you aren't closer to me.
We could find a Cobra or similar shortblock, recondition the heads, and with labor you'd be under 4 grand.

:stupid:

Or even look for some used 03/04 Cobra rods they go pretty cheap second hand. Get new pistons though.

[robertmee]

You may need an entire motor if something got loose inside or you windowed the block.

I have a source for reman'd MM motors with 100,000 mile warranties. I can ship to you or you can come to me for the swap.

Let me know if we can be of any help.

Are they warrantied with a Trilogy sitting on it?

[robertmee]

You may need an entire motor if something got loose inside or you windowed the block.

I have a source for reman'd MM motors with 100,000 mile warranties. I can ship to you or you can come to me for the swap.

Let me know if we can be of any help.

It's definitely 'windowed'...Got a hole big enough for four fingers out the passenger side according to the shop owner...still waiting for more details from the actual mechanic.

[martyo]

Are they warrantied with a Trilogy sitting on it?

I doubt it....

[martyo]

It's definitely 'windowed'...Got a hole big enough for four fingers out the passenger side according to the shop owner...still waiting for more details from the actual mechanic.

Your internals are probably trashed. The heads would need a look.

[martyo]

Too bad you aren't closer to me.
We could find a Cobra or similar shortblock, recondition the heads, and with labor you'd be under 4 grand.

Your parts prices are cjheaper than our dealers.

Can I open an account with you? :D

[burt ragio]

Damn shame the motor let go. A/F ratio is the gauge you need on the next motor. The only thing I want to run lean is my wife. You will just have to build it better than before.

[robertmee]

Damn shame the motor let go. A/F ratio is the gauge you need on the next motor. The only thing I want to run lean is my wife. You will just have to build it better than before.

Running Lidio's tune, so I ASSumed A/F was ok...again, wasn't banging it, so don't think A/F was out of spec...I wish it were, I'd be looking at a head gasket more likely than a rod through the block. I had it dynoed around 470 RWHP at speed shop after SW exhaust work, so I guess just on borrowed time.

[robertmee]

Too bad you aren't closer to me.
We could find a Cobra or similar shortblock, recondition the heads, and with labor you'd be under 4 grand.

Too bad! Although I ain't opposed to shipping to IN ;)

Point being If I'm going to do this, I want it to be the last time...I'd rather spend a little extra getting it to the right people than letting a Honda tech swap a motor and I go bang again in six months.

[MMBLUE]

http://www.modularmotorsportsracing.c om/ Its what I got in mine... Iron FTW

[nh muscle]

Mod sport is assembly line motor just so you know. Get what you pay for

[MMBLUE]

Mod sport is assembly line motor just so you know. Get what you pay for

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHAT. So is your car, and your motorcycle and...... .. .. .:confused:

He did say he didn't want to shell out a :censor: load of money. I've been the ..buy and :censor: box used motor route.. And it didn't come with a warrantee to boot. A total waste of money and a risky proposition.

Just saying... less than 5K and he's back in business. By the time he puts enough miles on it, he'll be buying another car or who knows?

[nh muscle]

If he runs it by his ins co first it will determine some of his options. My alluminator didn't have any grease used when they assembled the rods . Just saying he better off having some one build it for him. He also said he only wants to do this 1 time. I have a 1 year warranty with my newotor and it includes taking out and putting it back in sooooooooo that's what I'm saying.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk

[nh muscle]

My motor is being hand built everything is weighed measured any torquerd by 1 guy. The best motor builder in the northeast. All he does is race motors. PK Machine in fitchberg mass. Check it out. Could be an option for him or someone closer that can do the same thing.

[clmrt]

Is that going into your daily?

http://www.proweldperformanceparts.co m/id18.html

$430 block. If true. 2v works for 4v apps, right?

[nusbd]

There is a fellow in Philadelphia that has an engine, used but was running, for $1200. PM back and can call him.

[sflrainmaker01]

Hey, just saw this. Sorry about the motor. I don't know what he is asking, but this guy parted out a Silver Birch this past fall. I bought a lot of parts from him. He still has the motor. Here is the CL link:
http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/cto/4285942118.html

Maybe ya'll could work out a deal! :)

[martyo]

Hey, just saw this. Sorry about the motor. I don't know what he is asking, but this guy parted out a Silver Birch this past fall. I bought a lot of parts from him. He still has the motor. Here is the CL link:
http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/cto/4285942118.html

Maybe ya'll could work out a deal! :)

The ad was interesting.

I did not know that the Marauder engine was teh same as the Cobra engine. Hmmmm. You learn something new everyday. :rolleyes:

[shawn.criswell]

Dude! Same thing just happened to me! Didn't pop an extra window, but shot the #2 plug through the coil. Normal acceleration on an access ramp, heard a pop, then the motor started running rough. Pulled over and got out the tool kit and removed the cover to find oildown the passenger side "coil ravine". Found this online; http://engineguy.com/ford-lincoln-mercury/4-6l-4vromeo-1/ford-longblock-engine-egl4603r4ma-450-core-deposit.html

Remanufactured 3yr/100,000 mile warranty, free shipping and core pickup. Did some extra research on the company and looks pretty legite.

[Zack]

Dude! Same thing just happened to me! Didn't pop an extra window, but shot the #2 plug through the coil. Normal acceleration on an access ramp, heard a pop, then the motor started running rough. Pulled over and got out the tool kit and removed the cover to find oildown the passenger side "coil ravine". Found this online; http://engineguy.com/ford-lincoln-mercury/4-6l-4vromeo-1/ford-longblock-engine-egl4603r4ma-450-core-deposit.html

Remanufactured 3yr/100,000 mile warranty, free shipping and core pickup. Did some extra research on the company and looks pretty legite.

You could have repaired that in the car for a few hundred dollars and never worried about it again.

[shawn.criswell]

You could have repaired that in the car for a few hundred dollars and never worried about it again.

Haven't ordered or replaced the engine yet, what do I need to do? Send me PM, I don't want to Hijack the thread.

[martyo]

Haven't ordered or replaced the engine yet, what do I need to do? Send me PM, I don't want to Hijack the thread.

Research helicoil.

A blown plug is not a huge ordeal.

[Billboard]

http://www.timesert.com/html/ford_sparkplug_faq.html

This is the company I used to fix the spark plug on my 6.8 liter, works great, have over 30K on the repair. Repaired the head while motor was in the truck.

[fireandice9008]

I have very little advice to offer this thread, but I did want to offer the assistance of my truck and 20' trailer should you need to take it to Martyo or anywhere and your guy fall through. I'm off every weekend unless i've got class, so let me know if you need anything. I can be in raleigh in 2-2.5 hrs towing it.

[robertmee]

I have very little advice to offer this thread, but I did want to offer the assistance of my truck and 20' trailer should you need to take it to Martyo or anywhere and your guy fall through. I'm off every weekend unless i've got class, so let me know if you need anything. I can be in raleigh in 2-2.5 hrs towing it.

Man, that's very generous of you to offer....I haven't heard from my tow guy yet and that's unusual...He usually responds to texts in a day or two. Shoot me a PM and estimate on a one way haul to Marty...I'll probably fly down and drive it back when all done. Assuming I go that route. Still researching all my options.

[1Marauder]

I have very little advice to offer this thread, but I did want to offer the assistance of my truck and 20' trailer should you need to take it to Martyo or anywhere and your guy fall through. I'm off every weekend unless i've got class, so let me know if you need anything. I can be in raleigh in 2-2.5 hrs towing it.

Woke up and came online and feel better reading about the assistance.
What a great guy you are... CHEERS to you... and ALL!

[justbob]

I have very little advice to offer this thread, but I did want to offer the assistance of my truck and 20' trailer should you need to take it to Martyo or anywhere and your guy fall through. I'm off every weekend unless i've got class, so let me know if you need anything. I can be in raleigh in 2-2.5 hrs towing it.


Can't get any better than this^^^ Wish there was more like you on this site, it would be back to the old days like when we raised money for new engines and/or parts for members in need. I got burned by not even getting a simple "thanks" from a contribution and find it hard to care anymore.

Seeing this helps prove there is still good in people.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[lji372]

:bows: Awesome stuff!!!

[martyo]

I have very little advice to offer this thread, but I did want to offer the assistance of my truck and 20' trailer should you need to take it to Martyo or anywhere and your guy fall through. I'm off every weekend unless i've got class, so let me know if you need anything. I can be in raleigh in 2-2.5 hrs towing it.


Man, that's very generous of you to offer....I haven't heard from my tow guy yet and that's unusual...He usually responds to texts in a day or two. Shoot me a PM and estimate on a one way haul to Marty...I'll probably fly down and drive it back when all done. Assuming I go that route. Still researching all my options.

That is a super nice offer!!!

[Motorhead350]

I got an Aviator engine with unknown miles for $850. 8,000 miles later it still runs great.