400k 4.6 Ford

Have you ever totaled up how much you've spent/invested into your car though? A lot of what you've done isn't easy or cheap. Also, how good is your driver seat foam?
 
Great story. I'm convinced what primarily takes these out of service is complete timing set failure. Most are running around with pieces of chain guide in the oil pan and simply don't know it.

Somewhere between 200 and 300k you need to do a timing set, then you're good for another 200-300k

I personally use the old ratcheting tensioners (for truck applications, no one drives Panthers in CO) despite FTM saying they're not as good as the latest, greatest hydraulics.

My '07 F150 with 244k is due for a timing set!
 
Have you ever totaled up how much you've spent/invested into your car though? A lot of what you've done isn't easy or cheap. Also, how good is your driver seat foam?

Funny you sound ask. I'm obsessed over having nice OEM seats.

I have replaced the seat foam about 2 times. About 2 years ago I walked into a junkyard local to me and there was a less then 1000k mile 2008 police crown victoria sitting waiting to be picked apart. I think the car was donated by Ford to maybe a school or something long ago. Mint/new condition.

Anyway, I took the seat foam and installed on my own vehicle! It's very easy to keep the seats clean. About every 6 months I completely strip the OEM seat covers off the foam and wash at the laundromat. It hurts nothing. Just let them air dry and you're good.


Picture below is her in all her glory this summer. She needs a paint job that I also plan on doing myself for fun. I do paint the wheels once a year with John Deere black spray paint.

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Have you ever totaled up how much you've spent/invested into your car though? A lot of what you've done isn't easy or cheap. Also, how good is your driver seat foam?

I buy everything from Rockauto and tascaparts. I haven't added anything up simply out of no concern to do so.

Off the top of my head:

I bought the car for about 600$. Transmission went out at 220k miles. The transmission shop charged me 800$ to install my junkyard transmission that I paid 450$ for.

About 4 -5 years ago got a 1200$ Maccco paint job.

Ford OEM timing kit was 480$ and I bought a ATI Super Damper as well for $299. A pro tip. ATI sells discounted dampners from their website under dampners with blemishes.

All the tools and parts needed for a complete rear axle rebuild cost me about $1,200.

I do have a custom exhaust. I have very expensive catalytic converters from Germany and but cheap Flowmaster FX mufflers that actually have the best sound.

I did a business deal and got the converters and install for free but spent my own money for the mufflers. Flowmaster FX are only 70$ each.

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Car parts on the carpet inside. You must be single.


Yes!! Bachelor for life!
Great story. I'm convinced what primarily takes these out of service is complete timing set failure. Most are running around with pieces of chain guide in the oil pan and simply don't know it.

Somewhere between 200 and 300k you need to do a timing set, then you're good for another 200-300k

I personally use the old ratcheting tensioners (for truck applications, no one drives Panthers in CO) despite FTM saying they're not as good as the latest, greatest hydraulics.

My '07 F150 with 244k is due for a timing set!


I read around that the 4.6 Ford engine was designed to go to out to 600k+ with oil changes without any timing service. What takes the car out is the transmission. The 4r70w will need a rebuild around 200-250k.

When transmissions go out people just get rid of the car and don't try to rebuild it. My passion is actually the transmissions. I have already rebuilt the valve body and updated everything inside it.

Thank God for Sonnax!! I'm looking to buy some nice hard parts and build up a 4r70w all out no expense spared right in my living room and have it as a spare in the my closet. Will use PCT torque converter next time around.

https://www.sonnax.com/units/149-4r70w

https://ptcrace.com/


Anyways, if you buy the Ford OEM timing kit it comes with the iron tensioners. My 2004 had plastic tensioners with no gasket but they didn't have any issues either. And if you look closely at the old guides they still had lots of "meat". At 390k miles I still had time to spare. Oil changes on time was critical to my engines longevity.

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Yes!! Bachelor for life!


I read around that the 4.6 Ford engine was designed to go to out to 600k+ with oil changes without any timing service. What takes the car out is the transmission. The 4r70w will need a rebuild around 200-250k.

When transmissions go out people just get rid of the car and don't try to rebuild it. My passion is actually the transmissions. I have already rebuilt the valve body and updated everything inside it.

Thank God for Sonnax!! I'm looking to buy some nice hard parts and build up a 4r70w all out no expense spared right in my living room and have it as a spare in the my closet. Will use PCT torque converter next time around.

https://www.sonnax.com/units/149-4r70w

https://ptcrace.com/


Anyways, if you buy the Ford OEM timing kit it comes with the iron tensioners. My 2004 had plastic tensioners with no gasket but they didn't have any issues either. And if you look closely at the old guides they still had lots of "meat". At 390k miles I still had time to spare. Oil changes on time was critical to my engines longevity.

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I bet you could get a Mustang from that era and rebuild it for fun and profit. .02
 
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I bet you could get a Mustang from that era and rebuild it for fun and profit. .02

I would have more fun rebuilding a 2004 Mercury Marauder. I know 1-2 guys that still want one. I wouldn't mind a silver Marauder myself.
 
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