Raz900
New Member
- Joined
- February 21, 2003
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Cranberry, PA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '91 Sport
Hi all,
Figured I'd share some info I've found working on my bro's X. He has a '91 Sport with 165K miles on it (4.0 5spd). Since he's had it, it's used about a quart of antifreeze every month. I recently rebuilt a motor (I'd gotten a core from a '92 for free) and found something interesting.
Both heads on the '92 core were cracked. Both heads from a '93 core at the engine shop I used to work at were cracked. And, when I pulled his motor and disassembled it, both of his '91 heads were cracked.
So, I bought a pair of MAHLE castings from EngineQuest for $135 a piece. I was expecting pressed styrofoam ball castings but was pleasantly surprised to receive made in Germany beautifully machined castings. All I had to do was have a set of valves cut and assemble the new castings. The machine work and casting smoothness was excellent. Far superior to the Ford work.
All 3 motors also had the typical rocker arm and pushrod wear. His was knocking REAL bad and several rocker arms had upwards of .060" wear on the tips. The rod bearings in 2 of the motors also were rather beaten and the better of the 2 cranks (I didn't pull his motor till the new one was ready) needed the rod journals turned .030" under.
So, just wanted to share. If you're rebuilding a '91-'94 motor, I wouldn't even waste the time having the stock castings cleaned, magnafluxed, guides repaired, a valve job done and milled. It would be about the same price (or less) to buy the new castings and have the better head. They are about 5-10 lbs heavier than the stock '91 and '92 castings I weighed.
Good luck,
Steve
Figured I'd share some info I've found working on my bro's X. He has a '91 Sport with 165K miles on it (4.0 5spd). Since he's had it, it's used about a quart of antifreeze every month. I recently rebuilt a motor (I'd gotten a core from a '92 for free) and found something interesting.
Both heads on the '92 core were cracked. Both heads from a '93 core at the engine shop I used to work at were cracked. And, when I pulled his motor and disassembled it, both of his '91 heads were cracked.
So, I bought a pair of MAHLE castings from EngineQuest for $135 a piece. I was expecting pressed styrofoam ball castings but was pleasantly surprised to receive made in Germany beautifully machined castings. All I had to do was have a set of valves cut and assemble the new castings. The machine work and casting smoothness was excellent. Far superior to the Ford work.
All 3 motors also had the typical rocker arm and pushrod wear. His was knocking REAL bad and several rocker arms had upwards of .060" wear on the tips. The rod bearings in 2 of the motors also were rather beaten and the better of the 2 cranks (I didn't pull his motor till the new one was ready) needed the rod journals turned .030" under.
So, just wanted to share. If you're rebuilding a '91-'94 motor, I wouldn't even waste the time having the stock castings cleaned, magnafluxed, guides repaired, a valve job done and milled. It would be about the same price (or less) to buy the new castings and have the better head. They are about 5-10 lbs heavier than the stock '91 and '92 castings I weighed.
Good luck,
Steve
