Sorry that I haven't been on here for a while... Still don't have much time! Wanted to give a brief update.
I've gotten about 1200 miles on the X since the rebuild...
The Bad:
I still have a slow oil leak from somewhere in the rear. It occurs to me that the crank flange probably was drilled all the way through & that I did NOT put any form of sealer on my flywheel bolts
I haven't got the time or the patience to pull the engine or drop the tranny right now- so it'll keep the underside of the X lubricated until I find time (or the condition worsens and forces me to make time).
The Good:
No check engine lights, plenty of power from 1800rpm on up (curious what it'll do with a trailer behind it, but I have to get a hitch installed first), sounds decent for a V6, has been getting pretty good MPG considering how it gets driven (14-15 semi-agressive intown, 16-17 mixed, 18-20 Loaded Highway).
I lowered the front recently by relieving tension on the torsion bars. Think that if I can't find time next spring to fab up a coil over conversion- I'm at least going to find a set of code 1 bars to swap in to increase stiffness a bit. My Hellwig Rear Sway Bar just arrived today. I hope that it tightens up the rear (reduces rock/rollover)! I did some bartering for some 18's hoping they would fit, but determined that I'll need 2" spacers to make them work & they're probably stick out of the wheel wells- so I'm keeping my eyes open for a different set for next summer. I'd like to drop the rear about an inch and the front another half an inch or so. I haven't adjusted my camber on the front from my previous drop- need to get that done... Was hoping this mod would help MPG in addition to making the stance look more aggressive. Haven't filled up yet- so I don't know its affect yet...
Overall I am pretty happy with the performance of the engine- it is a beast... Just wish that I had gotten everything sealed up so that I didn't have to worry about checking the oil all the time! The heater core diverter valve is still weeping too (on account of my modified cooling system routing creating too much flow for the valve to handle?!), but that too is a very slow leak for now. I may make a CAI for it next summer to see if any more power or MPG can be had... May upgrade the stock coil & wires too- time will tell. I'll probably complete the Brown Wire Mod I was reading about some time ago & if my summer budget allows- I may freshen up the rear with a limited slip / posi unit (I get a lot of single wheel spin until the 4wd kicks in & I rocket).
Thanks for your support on this build... You can bet that I'll be back on here when next I have questions! For now- I need to get my Escort wagon project (as seen on FEOA) back on the road & try to patch up my marriage. Wish me luck!
