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No, I didn't. I maintain that opinion. The cars equipped with the mod motor were down on performance, efficiency, and sales relative to the other big players. Also, the way it was shoehorned into a lot of the chassis suggests that it was a huge restriction in vehicle design. Unlike the 3800...

I'm not sure this topic is about anti-tech. It's more about poor aesthetic design. And on that note, I agree. There have recently been some pretty ugly dashboards, mostly due to the screen looking like an afterthought/addon rather than being well integrated.

Looks familiar. Ford Escort/Merc Tracer hatchback?

A Charger lacked interior space relative to a Crown Vic? Maybe equipment was poorly installed/packaged. Otherwise, no way...

I'm not sure I understand the point. Perhaps we are talking about different things. Are you trying to justify an engine as a corporate decision by using select extreme examples, outside of the norm (which can be found for essentially anything produced)? Not sure how to link the argument to the...

My opinion is that you are overthinking it. Are you doing this job during a tornado? Did you build your deck by using this open engine as a work bench? As long as you are reasonably clean while you change the gaskets, just fill it up and run a normal OCI. It'll be fine. If you've been reckless...

This isn't "building an engine" in 17 minutes. This is bolting engine parts together in 17 minutes and frankly, is not an incredible feat for anyone who's assembled one before. As mentioned, this is merely a presentation, entertainment.

Our experiences differ. Your Northstar experience is obviously limited: it IS faster/easier to remove, even to someone unfamiliar. Again, doesn't mean the 4.6 Ford is hard, just saying that it's no big deal on many engines. I miss my panther platform vehicles in some ways, but they were far...

In my experience, they still leak with the same frequency. The only thing the aluminum crossover does is eliminates the catastrophic crack/explosion that was previously possible. While the 4.6 intake isn't difficult, majority of engines made in the last 25 years cross the coolant over elsewhere...

A common misconception. The aluminum crossover intakes still leak. That's because the aluminum crossover simply bolts onto the still-plastic manifold and the plastic area still is leak prone. Also, the heater hose nipple is molded into the plastic manifold and is just as leak prone. On top of...

^^^A lot of that is regurgitated internet here say Contrary to what the Internet says, there is a lot more that goes into building a fleet than selecting a car that goes 400k miles. Arguably, majority is cost-benefit. What's the biggest cost of a car? No, it's not maintenance. It's purchase...

Owned multiples of both, ran them beyond 200k miles. My opinion is that the Buick is the better car all around. It performs better, it drives better, it's more efficient, it's more spacious inside, and depending on the trim, has more creature comforts. While rot is a problem on any car, the...

If that's truly the cause of the noise, I'm sure the hammering on the roller follower wouldn't be good for it long term

No damage. Get it fixed up and move on

I think it's just the opposite. Engines used to be so smooth and quiet, probably due to their simplicity and heavy castings. Hydraulic OHV valvetrains driven by simple 3 piece timing sets have relatively few moving parts. Carburetors don't make mechanical noises. Iron block, heads, stamped...

If roughing it in is enough, there are many options. Another is to have the old control arm almost ready to take out. Before you undo the bushing bolts measure the distance between the end of the control arm and some other reference point (to the floor, or the fender). When you install the new...

You do torque bolts at ride-height. That is so that the bushings are in a relaxed state at ride height and it isn't perpetually stressed, or over-twisted on bumps. Flipping the bolts might make it easier. Depends on the car.

Not sure of these specific setup, but usually there are two variables to pay attention to when reassembling multi piece shafts. 1. Phasing. This will be a concern if there is no master key on the splines between two shafts. The shafts need to be installed in-phase, ujoints at each end of the...

I never liked the 4.3 in my trucks. They were just as thirsty as the V8s, but didn't have the grunt to back it up. A lose-lose.

I concur with Skippy. All of my previous Fords had corrosion issues with the aluminum panels. Doesn't seem to be a significant difference with steel where I'd base a keep/sell decision on Perhaps they have it all sorted out now.