Thinking about getting a 94 taurus SHO, what to...

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mechjames

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Richmond, BC, Canada
...watch out for on these engines/cars?

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/cto/1443072174.html

I'm going to talk to the guy today, My guess is it might be an auto since he said the transmission has been replaced, but we'll see. I'm kinda getting tired of rowing gears in my stratus.

I know these yamaha engines had some problems with the cam timing gears? and welding something would prevent it from breaking?

Anything else? and while we're at it, what oil would you run in it?
 
Originally Posted By: mechjames
I know these yamaha engines had some problems with the cam timing gears? and welding something would prevent it from breaking?


That's an issue with the 1996+ V8 SHOs.

Being a '94 semi high performance car, you'll want to go over the entire car with a fine tooth comb.
 
You are thinking of the V-8 SHO from the late 90s. Those had the cam gear problems- 89-95 had no such problems. The automatic transmission are not know to be the most durable, but aftermarket option can make them more reliable. The manual transmission is a Mazda unit (GM5 I think) and is more reliable, but common problems are throw-out bearings and the 2nd gear synchronizers. The engine is a JEWEL of engineering and has no major problems that I am aware of. Just make sure the timing belt is changed every 60k and the valves are adjusted every now and then. HOWEVER, the rest of the car is still a mid-90s Ford so expect issues, as the car is 15 years old. Be forewarned, many parts are extremely hard to find for this car, as it is very rare and I believe that Ford stopped making NEW parts for this car a few years back, so you will either have to go with aftermarket or rebuilt parts, AND they are very expensive. I am a big fan of the SHO, as I feel it will one day be a collectors item, but it is a big hassle to keep going due to declining parts availability.
 
thanks for informing me about the cam gear issue.And yes, i know about mid 90's fords, I have a 94 Explorer, and it's eaten a lot of parts in the past couple years.

Haven't gotten ahold of the guy yet. I want to check it out tomorrow. The body looks clean, and its $2200. Seems cheap for a SHO, don't youthink?

This might turn into a winter project if I get it....

and while we're at it, AMSOIL specs a 20wt oil. Is this engine backspec'd, or was it a 5w20 from the factory?
 
I would not run any 20w in a V6 SHO. They use a low-pressure, high-volume system. I had to run Castrol GTX instead of Mobil 1 5w30 in my '94 MTX SHO, because it would light up the oil pressure light at hot idle with M1. This is obviously not typical, but I don't think Ford spec'd the SHO's for 20w either.


The engines seem to be a little harder on connecting rod bearings than others; listen close when you start it cold. Other than typical electrical gremlins that will possess a Ford managed engine, it's a gem and loves to rev to the 7,300RPM redline. (automatic may be a little different). Not the easiest thing to work on but nothing is anymore.
 
I owned a 91 Taurus SHO...3.0 Yamaha V6, Mazda clutch (and transmission I think). The brakes were from some company in Australia.

I can honestly say (besides the engine), this was the biggest clunker I have ever owned. I bought it new.

Clutch and brake problems galore.
A/C compressor problems.
Suspension problems.
 
Originally Posted By: mechjames
talked to the owner. its an auto, rebuilt at 220,000km. car has 245,000km on it now.

3.2L, not the 3.0.


Yep, autos are 3.2s, manuals 3.0s.
 
You should drop a Ford 3.5 or 3.7 Cyclone in that car.
cool.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
James, you are 15 yrs too late !!

Like the old timer said, " I finally achieved what I set out to do in 1972... I bought a '72 Coupe d'Ville".


ha i was only 4 years old in 94, just a few years shy...
 
Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
32.gif
Are you all ready for the Olympics ?? ....


traffic's been a nightmare for a couple years now, with the new Canada Line skytrain construction and all the road work and paving going on in Richmond. and its probably just going to get worse until its all over.

I must admit, the new Canada line skytrain is superior to what Vancouver got in 1986. These trains are quiet, wide, bright, and nicely climate controlled. That was a 4 year project.

anyways, yea, VANoc thinks they're ready, but theyre always running into cost overuns and obstacles (the paramedics are on strike and are refusing to do emergency response testing for the olympic venues)
 
Well, i'm picking up this car tomorrow. I'm getting it for $1800. Drove it today, drives like a dream.

Leather Interior, Ford Premium Sound, Sunroof, Keyless Entry, there isn't anything wrong with this car, other then wear and tear on the switches (like text fading, etc). Nothing a few bucks spent at the wrecker can't fix!

And wow do these cars ever go!
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: hardcore302
Make sure Conan O'Brien is not sitting in the back seat.


Haha I'll check, but it would be great if he did, it would make it a sweet deal!

Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
Congrats!

Have a look at these forums. I have found them to be BITOG-grade gold when it comes to SHO's.

http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?

GREAT INFO on SHO: http://www.superhighoutput.com/about.php

These guys seem to know every gritty detail of Gen2 Taurii: http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/


Thanks for the links. They look like great forums!
 
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