Got to work on COBRA today

[cobra4978]

Finally i got to work on my friends 01 cobra today. After new spark plugs, an oil change and adjusting the timing the car still has the same problems. I found some stuff out as i was working on it though. The oil had not been changed in a years time and spark plugs looked as if they were factory plugs, still wearing the motorcraft writing. We adjusted the timing to 12 degrees and it did make the car run stronger but only after it had warmed up. Car still bucks horribly when cold and has left all of us scratching our heads. Was there a recall at one time on the heads on 01 cobras? The motor does have a small ticking sound that sounds to me like its coming from the driver side head. Car runs good though when warmed up and ticking still exists. I dont know what it might be. Anybody have a clue?

 

[rick focks]

fuel filter?

 

[Lightning Struck]

ticking coming from a valve??

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

Exhaust leak, your bucking may be a vacuum leak.

 

[Lightning Struck]

Exhaust leak, your bucking may be a vacuum leak.

if its the original manifolds I wouldn't think its a exhaust leak......... :dunno:

 

[cobra4978]

thanks for all the advice guys. No original manifolds, he has headers and no we did'nt check the fuel filter. Engine almost acts as if it's running to rich. And when we pulled off the CAI we found the tube and the upper intake to be filled with black sooty looking shit. Yes the ticking does sound like a valve.

 

[Passenger]

I dunno about 99-01 Cobras, but I've never personally heard an 03/04 that didn't have lifter tick.

 

[lethal2v]

The Cobras do have head tick. There was a tsb out on it. From what i understang it isnt gonna hurt anything, its just an annoying ticking sound.

 

[scarface]

if you have a handheld tuner to adjust timing, why not datalog it for us and post the log?

 

[cobra4978]

no hand held tuner sorry. He has got a timing adjuster on the front of his engine which makes it real easy. Just loosen the bolts and turn to whatever degrees you want.

 

[scarface]

no hand held tuner sorry. He has got a timing adjuster on the front of his engine which makes it real easy. Just loosen the bolts and turn to whatever degrees you want.

becuase of my lack of 4v knowledge, explain to me how that works.... what the heck are you turnng that is changing the timing on a OHV engine?

 

[Lightning Struck]

no hand held tuner sorry. He has got a timing adjuster on the front of his engine which makes it real easy. Just loosen the bolts and turn to whatever degrees you want.

becuase of my lack of 4v knowledge, explain to me how that works.... what the heck are you turnng that is changing the timing on a OHV engine?

I know steeda has a timing adj for the 2 valve engine but Im not aware of one for the 4 valve ??

 

[cobra4978]

i will try and find a picture to post if not then i will just take one to show you guys

 

[cobra4978]

ok this is the timing adjuster i have been speaking of that sits on the front of the 4.6 It's made by steeda and i think you can get it just about anywhere. Picture was taken from americanmuscle.com

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

Take it in and get a tune. If that adjuster thingy is on there screwed up. It will give you timing issues that could lead to hesitation.

 

[Slow95Cobra]

the timing adjuster just moves the crank sensor, so you can move the trigger wheel to diffrent points. and a fuel filter isnt going to make a car run like crap cold. it wold hesitate all the time.

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

the timing adjuster just moves the crank sensor, so you can move the trigger wheel to diffrent points. and a fuel filter isnt going to make a car run like crap cold. it wold hesitate all the time.

Thanks, that is info I did not know. I had never heard of a timing adjuster for these engines.

 

[randyp97svt]

I had the same problem, after months of fustration I broke down and took it to ford. They ended up reflashing it for 45 bucks, and it runs great now.

 

[Black97GT]

no hand held tuner sorry. He has got a timing adjuster on the front of his engine which makes it real easy. Just loosen the bolts and turn to whatever degrees you want.

becuase of my lack of 4v knowledge, explain to me how that works.... what the heck are you turnng that is changing the timing on a OHV engine?

I know steeda has a timing adj for the 2 valve engine but Im not aware of one for the 4 valve ??

yep, my brother has one on his 99 cobra