Vid of my Cobra's tick...

[SpectorV]

get someone to listen to it with a scope and try to see if that turns up anything, do all you can before you swap heads just in case its something else.

[nighthawk756]

I'm going by the shop tomorrow so if there's a lift available, I'll put it in the air and listen around. And I'll have Jason listen around and see what he thinks. I may also just to cover all bases, check the manifolds also.

I don't have a scope myself but I did use a screwdriver today. The tick is very noticeable when putting it on the driver's head valve cover. But the same tick can be heard listening to the passenger head but it didn't seem as loud.

[nighthawk756]

Just got back from the shop. Jason read the diagnostic guide and used his scope to listen around.

He agrees that it's exactly what the diagnostic says to the T. We listened to the driver's head and the tick is more prevelant around 7 and 8 but not as noticeable in other areas although it can be slightly heard.

You don't hear it on top of the motor without the scope, it's very prevelant from the driver's side wheel well area/under the car and it's definately more prominent around #7 and #8 on the driver's head using a scope. This all exactly matches Ford's diagnostic guide for head tick.

Good news is, Jason said that it definately isn't anything in the bottom end as in rod bearing, piston etc.

So, looks like my consensus seems to be right on par. Updated heads....here I come.

[SpectorV]

good that you got it properly diagnosed. Sucks you have to get the heads but better in the end. While they are being replaced I would have them worked over a bit cuz your heads are fine for now no big rush.

[nighthawk756]

Yeah, I'm ordering them tomorrow. I don't think I'll do anything with the heads. I'm just ready to have my car back to normal really.

Although I'm very tempted to buy a ported blower to slap on it since the blower's going to have to come off for the head work anyway.

[SpectorV]

you ordering them through the guy on svtperformance that can get 10% above cost?

[lowflyn]

This makes me want to get mine into ford for a diagnostic while it's still under warranty. 50 bucks for a new set of heads sounds pretty good...

[nighthawk756]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV you ordering them through the guy on svtperformance that can get 10% above cost?

I was going to, but my friend at my local dealership is giving me the same deal so I save on shipping both ways(shipping the new heads to me and shipping the cores back).

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn This makes me want to get mine into ford for a diagnostic while it's still under warranty. 50 bucks for a new set of heads sounds pretty good...

Does yours have the tick?

[lowflyn]

Quote: Originally Posted by nighthawk756 I was going to, but my friend at my local dealership is giving me the same deal so I save on shipping both ways(shipping the new heads to me and shipping the cores back). Does yours have the tick?

After hearing all you've been through I'm beginning to doubt my injector theory...but hell, I've got the extended warranty, might as well have them check it out before it expires in may.

[nighthawk756]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn After hearing all you've been through I'm beginning to doubt my injector theory...but hell, I've got the extended warranty, might as well have them check it out before it expires in may.

Yeah no kiddin'. I would love to have a factory warranty cover this stuff. So it's a blessing for sure that you have one.

Definately wouldn't hurt to have them check it out. Do you want me to post up the Ford diagnostic guide for you to use yourself ahead of time? Better yet, here it is.....and don't pay attention to the "built before 11/1/2002 only" crap. It's been proven that any 03-04 can get it. And it's also a different head number than what's in the guide for the improved heads. Since they didn't come out until Jan 05.

Article No
03-11-4 ENGINE - MUSTANG COBRA - TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE - COBRA VEHICLES
EQUIPPED WITH ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 11/1/2002 ONLY

Publication Date: May 23, 2003

FORD: 2003 MUSTANG

ISSUE:
Some 2003 Mustang Cobra vehicles with engines built before 11/1/2002 may
exhibit an unusual engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures
during idle. This noise may be due to valve guide wear in the left bank
cylinder head. Guide wear manifest itself as a tick noise which can be heard
at the rear of LH head, through LH catalyst, at the LH front wheel well and
may not be heard with the hood open.

ACTION:
Use the diagnostic procedures listed in this article to evaluate the vehicle
condition and replace the cylinder head if applicable. Refer to the
following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: THIS REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WILL NO IMPROVE OR REDUCE PERFORMANCE.

In order to diagnose noise, the following items must be checked:

- Verify noise by placing a stethoscope on the back of the left head near
the exhaust ports.
- Verify that the noise is heard in the left side exhaust system (left side
wheel well or catalytic converter, from underneath the vehicle).
- Try to isolate the noise by cancelling the cylinders, by unplugging the
injectors one at a time (start with #8 cylinder).
- Verify that there are no exhaust manifold leaks.
- Check to make sure that the camshaft spacers are in place. If not, install
cam spacers (per Workshop Manual Section 303-01C) and retest vehicle.
- Check for proper cam sprocket bolt torque, retorque to spec listed in the
Workshop Manual Section 303-01C.
- Check for spongy lash adjusters (refer to Section 303-00 in the
corresponding Workshop Manual).
- Verify that the timing chain tensioner pin has been removed.
- If the above diagnostic does not eliminate the noise while the cylinder
are cancelled, and the engine was built prior to 11/1/2002, replace the left
side cylinder head and cam assembly with Part Number 3R2Z-6049-GA. Refer to
Workshop Manual Section 303-01C for cylinder head replacement procedures.

[SpectorV]

its actually all 03/04 cobras and mach 1s as they didnt change shit... but being before that date in 2002 rules out most 03/04 cobras from getting the fix.

Thankfully mine makes no noise but... it doesnt see high speeds or high rpms barly ever (its hard enough to get up to the speed limit around here... to many cars)

[lowflyn]

I've bounced mine a few times...lol

[nighthawk756]

Got my updated heads yesterday.....now just the install awaits....

[SpectorV]

looks nice. Get a pic of the part numbers on em so we can keep em around for reference on what the updated heads are. While those are out would it be wroth the time to install the cooling mod anyways? just wondering as its dirt cheap and it it helps even a little its worth it. This will also let you put your mind at east as to the state of the pistons which should still be nice.

while the intercooler is out clean it up good and make SURE you get a breather filter to keep oil out of the intake system.

[nighthawk756]

These are the part numbers....

2C5Z-6049-BAB left
2C5Z-6049-CAB right

I'm contemplating doing the cooling mod. But the only place I can find the LDC is D'Agostino and it's 220 bucks. That's crazy. You know of anywhere else that has them for cheaper??

I know some that didn't do it since the heads have upgraded coolant passages and valve guides to fix the problem. But on the same token, I know those that still used one anyway. So, I'm still deciding.

[PureVenom]

You won't find them cheaper..you want cheaper get the Even Flow mod...easy to install and doesn't require moving the tranny.

Now...how much did those heads run you?

[nighthawk756]

Quote: Originally Posted by PureVenom You won't find them cheaper..you want cheaper get the Even Flow mod...easy to install and doesn't require moving the tranny. Now...how much did those heads run you?

I don't like the evenflow. I just don't like the look of the spliced upper radiator hose. I'd rather it be hidden if it's going to be there.

The heads cost me 695 for one and 795 for the other from a friend at my local dealership. It was a little bit higher than Steve at Tousley Ford quoted but I would've still had to pay shipping from him from Minnesota and then shipping back to him of my take off heads for the core charge. So I actually came out about even and didn't have to worry about shipping.

[PureVenom]

Well, if you don't like the even flow, you're gonna have to deal with the 220 raping they give you for the LDC.

Now, I will check with someone here locally that was building the LDC kit...exactly the same...for like 90 or 100 bucks. He posted about it on SVTP and was ass raped for it because he is not a sponsor. I'll let you know what I find out if they are still making them.