Worst Nightmare

[Sphinx]

Ok so I had the car checked today.

-Intake Manifold Cracked.. Leaking coolant

- Oil Cooler leaking

- Oil Pan gasket leaking

- Rear End Spider gears or some sort of damage

- Not to mention something on the engine internals is knocking


Question:

Sell it? or Fix it?

[Sphinx]

Ok so it looks like the guy was trying to rip me off... I looked at my intake manifold, and the rear left hose (closest to the firewall) was up really high and coolant was seeping out... so I pushed it down. Don't know yet if that fixed it.. But it seems pretty obvious when he said he could have the new one on the same day... :/

[85crownHPP]

what do you mean the hose was "up high"??? I dont know of many coolant leaks that can be fixed by pushing down on something... maybe have another shop check what you saw leaking. Id say dont worry about the oil leaks for now just keep it full.worry about the knock and rearend once this is taken care of!!

[interceptor1985]

These things leak....every 5.0 I have seen ooozes oil so yes I am with 85crownhpp woory about the knock and the rear first....anytime we replace a part on Vicky we try and upgrade....Just a thought....

[Sphinx]

So are you saying replace the manifold?

[RoyLPita]

If these are covered by your policy, get them fixed.

BTW, Find out how much it would be to upgrade to a traction- Lok differential. It will fix your spider gear (and your "one wheel peel") problem.

[gadget73]

Was it just a hose that was not pushed all the way on the connector that you found leaking? When the intake leaks, its almost always up front behind the alternator. I am pretty sure by 2003 that was dealt with. If its aluminum right behind the alternator, the intake is fine. The black plastic ones would split the seam right there though.

The oil filter adapter / oil cooler gasket right there on the side of the engine where the oil filter is does often leak. Usually thats the only leak problem on the bottom. I'd be really surprised if the pan gasket was shot at this age. If it was bad I'd think it would be likely caused by some sort of impact that you could see on the oil pan.

[Sphinx]

Its not where the aluminum crossover... its towards the back left of the intake manifold... (Closest to the firewall) That tube that comes up was leaking from the hose.. but from the looks of it.. it looks like its been glued at the base of the tube.... no sign of leaks now.

[Sphinx]

Okay.. so the rear end finally gave... now the question 3.55? or 3.73... I told the shop i wanted 3.55 but will I be happier with 3.73?

[DuceAnAHalf]

Okay.. so the rear end finally gave... now the question 3.55? or 3.73... I told the shop i wanted 3.55 but will I be happier with 3.73?
What rear is in it now? If it is the 3.27 you wont really notice a big difference going to 3.55s.

[Sphinx]

It was the stock gears.. so ya it was probably the 3.27

[packman]

:2cents: I would say that it all depends on the type of driving that you do and what you want. If you're doing a lot of city driving and need decent accelaration, go with the 3.73. If you're doing a lot of highway driving and want decent fuel economy, stick with the 3.27. Of course this all depends on where in the power band your engine lives.
Packman

[Sphinx]

I really never drive on the freeway... But how much of a jump is it with 3.73's?

[Sphinx]

So I got my 3.73's love em.. well exept for today... I was driving and started smelling coolant.... so I stopped at the nearby gas station and popped the hood to look at the hose that was loose before...

I looked and I could see coolant down around the hose... So I lighty pushed on it to see if it had come loose again.... The nipple snapped of and hot coolant sprayed all over me, and burned really bad :)... Some got in my mouth aswell due to the fact I yelled out "Fuck" as soon as I realized what had happend...

So the car is now in my driveway... undrivable.. with a brand new rear end...

So where is that instruction page on how to install a PI Intake Manifold?

:D

[gadget73]

2003 should already have that I think? I think you also need PI heads to go with a PI manifold. I'm guessing its probably that stupid under-intake hose that came apart. Those can be swapped without removing the intake. Need to pull the alternator, and its a pain in the ass but it can be done. Its still less work than popping the intake off.

[trife86]

If it was me and you do alot of city driving go 4.10 if you do alot of highway go 3.73 :)

[Mr. Land Yacht]

I have 3.55's and I'm happy with them, but I have an AOD, the 4R70W with 3.55's would be even faster, but I'm kinda disappointed that I didn't do the 3.73's.
but, I average about 22mpg on the highway, so, I'm ok with it.
congrats on the 3.73's!

[Sphinx]

Okay so... My manifold needs to be replaced...

I was looking at other manifolds besides the plastic... the only one I found was an edelbrock victor Jr.

and it wasent street legal...

Should I just go with the stock PI Manifold?

[zwack88]

Damn I didn't see this thread updated. You can replace the manifold with another PI manifold. Just get a manual and it will be exactly how to do it. Now if you were swapping a PI intake on a Non-PI car there are some mods that would need done. So Gadget just for future reference you can throw on a PI intake on non pi heads.

[FordInPossession]

Dorman aftermarket hard parts also has a stock replacement intake available. Any auto parts store should have it.

[Sphinx]

Its an 03 so its all PI

I just wanted to replace the manifold...

But I wanted to know if theres a better aftermarket manifold that could be put on it.

[p71towny]

there is but they're pricy as hell. as in, unless you have money falling out of your ass, I doubt you want it.

[Sphinx]

True... I don't think anyone has Cash ass... lol

[merc6]

Money hardley ever falls out of your ass unless you are sliding down a pole...
hows the rebuild going?

[Sphinx]

Still waiting for the manifold, and looking for that god damn instruction manual on how to install it..