[interfac9]

I have a '99. I'm pretty sure it is a Romeo motor. It has the tap, but story has it that I could get a head rebuild or maybe get the lash adjusters replaced. Can anyone give me an idea what this might entail, cost, risks? It runs fine, but the tap is worse. I know it's wear, and I'm 99% positive it isn't the bottom end, but I would like to be sure she's in the best condition she can be on this stock motor.

[ajm]

Not sure on labor costs although the ford dealer im at charges $80 something per flat rate hour for service labor. If you go with lash adjusters they run about $10 a piece and you need 16 of them. Pretty simple to change on your own though. For the most part all you need is a $100 tool, 3/8" breaker bar and to remove the valve covers.

[interfac9]

Good place to find it all?

[ajm]

Cheapest place I could find the tool was sears.com it was $90 or so the tool is OTC 7928, weather its from sears or not its the same one youll find else where but a bit cheaper the mac guy wanted $200 something for it. It is used to compress the valve spring so you can take out the rocker. After that you touch the lash adjuster with a magnet and it pulls right out, drop your new one in, recompress spring and put rocker back in place. As for lash adjusters any ford dealer should have them or be able to get them. Considering price its not a bad idea to replace the valve cover gaskets while youre at it. They can be had for $20 from a general parts store.

[interfac9]

Bruh, THANKS. And that will take care of that doggone tap? anything else I should do with the covers off?

[jivepepper]

If you have a 99, and the motor is original, then it's a windsor

[interfac9]

Originally Posted by jivepepper If you have a 99, and the motor is original, then it's a windsor

I could have sworn it was a Romeo. The Windsor is available in a 2V?

[00vabchgt]

Originally Posted by interfac9 I could have sworn it was a Romeo. The Windsor is available in a 2V?

yep. Windsors were put in the '99- mid '01 Mustangs because of a fire at the Romeo plant...
the Windsors were mostly being put in F-150's...

[dude496]

I'd look at your timing chain first...most likely the culprit for your problem

[interfac9]

Originally Posted by dude496 I'd look at your timing chain first...most likely the culprit for your problem

Eeeeew! I haven't heard a lot of good things about having to replace those.

[dude496]

Not really all that hard....pull the pulleys and valve covers then timing cover and then swap it out.

[mpboy]

pull the timing chain cover (all the pullys) pull the valve cover, put the motor in safe mode, and while you have all that stuff off i would replace the whole timing system, the chains can stretch, get new tensiners, and the guides are made of plastic, so those will need to be changed. the cam isnt that hard to take off and you will not need a special tool to get the rest of the valve train stuff replaced. and you might want to look in to replacing the valve stem seals while your in there but to do that with the heads on the car you will need to use air to hold the valve up while you replacing them, iv never done it i always take the heads off and take them to get cleaned before i rebuild them

[Doc8224]

You can get the tool for removing the rockers and lash adjusters from Steve at Tousley ford pretty cheap. The adjusters aren't very expensive and definatly replace the timing chains if you are gonna go in there.

[interfac9]

Head... Swimming... Warning, I am an OHV guy traditionally (Camaros) and I have NEVER owned an OHC car before, so all this is a little Greek to me. I don't have the guts to go into the motor balls out, so maybe suggestions on going in easy. It's my daily driver...

[interfac9]

Once I get the valve covers off, what would be the next step?

[andres0286]

Can you get a video of the tap?

[interfac9]

Sure can...

[mpboy]

are you replaceing the timing chain? if you are make sure you put the motor in safe mode, these Mod motors are interfernce.

[interfac9]

Originally Posted by mpboy are you replaceing the timing chain? if you are make sure you put the motor in safe mode, these Mod motors are interfernce.

What is "safe mode"? I am new to these engines, so it is greek to me? I was pondering the timing chains, as the motor has almost 150 grand on it. Noticed that I could smell a hint of coolant when I turned on the A/C. Not much, just for a couple of seconds...

[interfac9]

Originally Posted by andres0286 Can you get a video of the tap?

Going to try to get that video today and upload it.