03 Terminator heads

spoocobra · Jun 8, 2005

Does anybody know how to tell if an 03 Cobra has the new heads? Like if was built after a certain build date? If it has the old ones (you know the ones that were bad and kept making it overheat) on their still, could you take it in to have the new ones put on? In case you are wondering I am looking at picking up a used 03 cobra. Thanks for your help.

Uncle Meat · Jun 8, 2005

spoocobra said:
Does anybody know how to tell if an 03 Cobra has the new heads? Like if was built after a certain build date? If it has the old ones (you know the ones that were bad and kept making it overheat) on their still, could you take it in to have the new ones put on? In case you are wondering I am looking at picking up a used 03 cobra. Thanks for your help.

Don't let anyone tell you any different, but there really is no use in trying to determine if an '03 has one of the new style heads. There have been 3 different head assemblies released for the '03's thus far. Keep in mind we're talking about the drivers side head, not the passenger side. Even plenty of '04 Cobra's have reported a "Tick" from their drivers side head, so this isn't just a problem with the '03's. Instead of trying to determine if the car has the new style head or not, why not listen to the engine and see if it has the tick? That's what the head replacement was suppose to address in the first place.

Here's the best test yet to determine if your 03/04 Cobra has the dreaded "Tick":

http://forums.stangnet.com/showpost.php?p=4248038&postcount=2

U.M.

No matter what you hear, a blue stripe on the drivers side head DOES NOT INDICATE A NEW OR REDESIGNED HEAD HAS BEEN INSTALLED! Lot of 03/04 owners out there believe this is an indicator, but it's NOT!

Mustang30240 · Jun 8, 2005

the head will be blue if it has been replaced

Uncle Meat · Jun 8, 2005

Mustang30240 said:
the head will be blue if it has been replaced

Very funny...

U.M.

Mustang30240 · Jun 8, 2005

guess im wrong but thats what ive always heard

spoocobra · Jun 8, 2005

So going off the OASIS sheet the Build date was 2/12/2003 lets say that is has a small tick, Which I hope it doesn't. is it a bad thing? Does it hurt? Or is it just an annoyance thing which I could live with unless it got real bad, besides it still under warranty so I could take it in. Thanks for your help U.M. The first thing I was going to do was the Pro 5.0. Shifter you think that would be better before my exhaust and intakes etc... Once again thanks

Uncle Meat · Jun 8, 2005

spoocobra said:
So going off the OASIS sheet the Build date was 2/12/2003 lets say that is has a small tick, Which I hope it doesn't. is it a bad thing? Does it hurt? Or is it just an annoyance thing which I could live with unless it got real bad, besides it still under warranty so I could take it in. Thanks for your help U.M. The first thing I was going to do was the Pro 5.0. Shifter you think that would be better before my exhaust and intakes etc... Once again thanks

According to Ford the tick is only an annoyance and has no effect on performance or engine longevity. Your car meets the requirement outlined in the SSM for head replacement so if the car does have the tick you could still get it replaced if you wanted to.

As for the shifter... it's up to you man. Replacing the stock shifter is a nice mod and easy to do. But adding a good CAI is just as easy and you'll feel that in the seat of your pants! I did CAI & exhaust before I replaced my shifter.

Mustang30240 said:
guess im wrong but thats what ive always heard

Yeah, it's a nasty rumor that's just not true. According to the guys on the Niche assembly line the blue stripe was used to differentiate between a passenger side head and a driver’s side head for a short period of time. When the heads are bare they are damn near impossible to tell which is which. I'm currently on drivers side head #3 on my Terminator. My original head had no stripe. My 2nd replacement head had the stripe, but my last replacement head does not have a stripe.

U.M.

spoocobra · Jun 8, 2005

Uncle Meat said:
As for the shifter... it's up to you man. Replacing the stock shifter is a nice mod and easy to do. But adding a good CAI is just as easy and you'll feel that in the seat of your pants! I did CAI & exhaust before I replaced my shifter.
.

Thanks, I guess you had the tick twice and couldn't live with it? What CAI did you go with? I was thinking on the WMS velocity tube and a BBK 65mm Twin TB. The WMS pipe comes with the calibrated for the stock MAF.

Uncle Meat · Jun 8, 2005

spoocobra said:
Thanks, I guess you had the tick twice and couldn't live with it? What CAI did you go with? I was thinking on the WMS velocity tube and a BBK 65mm Twin TB. The WMS pipe comes with the calibrated for the stock MAF.

The WMS pipe is not one of the more popular CAI's for the 03/04's. Most folks go with either the K&N FIPK, the JLT RAI or CAI, or the Steeda unit.

Yes I had the tick twice, like they say though... third time's a charm! As for my mods just check my sig.

Don't waste your money on a T/B. You won't see more than 1 or 2 HP/TQ from this mod with a mildly modified Terminator. Once you go to a smaller S/C pulley and you have a need to flow more air into the eaton you might want to just get the stock T/B, inlet, and supercharger ported. It's cheap and you can see gains of 40-50 RWHP!!

U.M.

spoocobra · Jun 8, 2005

On your mod list: Griggs SFC's, Predator

What is the Griggs? and are you running the a Predator chip or the programer? Also what size pulley are you running. Thanks for all your help, I had a 98 cobra but with the S.C. on the terminators I don't really know what ever body is running and what not. I know people are using the 2.8 pulley the most I believe. I was planning on going with bassani cause I had good luck w/ them on my 98.

Uncle Meat · Jun 9, 2005

spoocobra said:
On your mod list: Griggs SFC's, Predator

What is the Griggs? and are you running the a Predator chip or the programer? Also what size pulley are you running. Thanks for all your help, I had a 98 cobra but with the S.C. on the terminators I don't really know what ever body is running and what not. I know people are using the 2.8 pulley the most I believe. I was planning on going with bassani cause I had good luck w/ them on my 98.

Griggs is a highly respected company that manufactures handling components. K-members, SFC's (Sub Frame Connectors), coil over kits, etc. They are considered one of the best, but they are also one of the more expensive! The Predator is a handheld tuning device made by DiabloSport. I use it to transfer custom tunes into my cars computer. It also lets you make adjustments in the A/F ratio, turns off O2 sensors, disables traction control, etc., etc., etc. It can also read and reset any of the EEC's trouble codes. It will also datalog all sorts of things like IAT's and such which can be very beneficial when tuning your car. Using a handheld tuner is quickly becoming the preferred method of getting a custom tune put into your car. I HIGHLY suggest you don't even consider using a "chip" because it will automatically void your power train warranty and it's very easy for the dealer to find evidence of its use. With a handheld tuner you can have a new tune emailed to you whereas a chip has to be burned and then snail-mailed. SCT and Superchips also make handheld tuners for the 03 Cobra that have similar capabilities.

As for my pulley... I'm still running the stock (3.65) wagon wheel! I'm waiting for my warranty to expire before I add a 2.93 and start upping my power levels.

U.M.

spoocobra · Jun 9, 2005

Thanks for all your help. On the Predator tuner is it hard to adjust settings. I am a graphic designer with a slight in IT, som computers is not a problem and used to be a mechanic, what I want to know if I set a setting and screw it up is the a restore to default button? I definetly want to turn off that traction control and the what not. Thanks

Uncle Meat · Jun 9, 2005

spoocobra said:
Thanks for all your help. On the Predator tuner is it hard to adjust settings. I am a graphic designer with a slight in IT, som computers is not a problem and used to be a mechanic, what I want to know if I set a setting and screw it up is the a restore to default button? I definetly want to turn off that traction control and the what not. Thanks

It's pretty damn simple. You can download the manual for the '03 Cobra Predator here:
http://www.runninwiththedevil.com/pdf/manual_cobra_2.pdf

U.M.

spoocobra · Jun 9, 2005

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it. I can't wait to get her in my garage and start playing with her.

zerbrenny · Nov 27, 2006

Uncle Meat said:
It's pretty damn simple. You can download the manual for the '03 Cobra Predator here:
http://www.runninwiththedevil.com/pdf/manual_cobra_2.pdf

U.M.

Hey UM, I am just curious. Did you get your head replaced by Ford for free under warranty? My Terminator only has 24000 on it but it is past the 3yr/36000. It has the "tick", I am guessing I am screwed?

Uncle Meat · Nov 28, 2006

zerbrenny said:
Hey UM, I am just curious. Did you get your head replaced by Ford for free under warranty? My Terminator only has 24000 on it but it is past the 3yr/36000. It has the "tick", I am guessing I am screwed?

Yes TWICE!

U.M.

STRTRENEGADE354 · Nov 28, 2006

zerbrenny said:
Hey UM, I am just curious. Did you get your head replaced by Ford for free under warranty? My Terminator only has 24000 on it but it is past the 3yr/36000. It has the "tick", I am guessing I am screwed?

Their is a active TSB on that head issue. I would take off all mods. , go to the dealership and be very nice and after alot of yes sir's and no mam's they very well might cover it (ford does actually have some leway on that policy)

The tick is due to the lack of coolant flow at the rear of the head and when the heat builds up it causes the valve and or guide to distort or in worse case I have seen on more than one cobra the piston distort due to the heat buildup in the rear drivers cylinder causing an even more pronounced knock/tick

Uncle Meat · Nov 28, 2006

STRTRENEGADE354 said:
Their is a active TSB on that head issue. I would take off all mods. , go to the dealership and be very nice and after alot of yes sir's and no mam's they very well might cover it (ford does actually have some leway on that policy)

There is no TSB, there is an SSM and if your car doesn't meet the requirements set forth in that SSM, and if it's not still within warranty you probably won't be able to get Ford to pay for a replacement head, but like STRTRENEGADE354 says... if you talk real nice they might cut you some slack!

U.M.

zerbrenny · Nov 28, 2006

Thanks UM for the quick response; I just bought a Fusion (for the wife) and the sales guy was willing ride a unicycle and juggle for the sale. I guess I'll test his commitment
Anyway I am just learning the lingo in the forum what is an SSM and where can I view it?

Uncle Meat · Nov 29, 2006

zerbrenny said:
Thanks UM for the quick response; I just bought a Fusion (for the wife) and the sales guy was willing ride a unicycle and juggle for the sale. I guess I'll test his commitment
Anyway I am just learning the lingo in the forum what is an SSM and where can I view it?

SSM = Special Service Message and as far as I know there isn't any one place on-line where you can go view them all. The SSM I used to get my head replaced is as follows:

3963 - 2000-2003 MUSTANG COBRA 4.6L 4V, 2000-2003 NAVIGATOR AND 2002 BLACKWOOD 5.4L 4V - ENGINE TICKING NOISE IN UPPER AREA OF CYLINDER HEAD(S)
SOME 2000-2003 COBRA EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 4V ENGINE, 2000-2003 NAVIGATOR
AND 2002 BLACKWOOD EQUIPPED WITH A 5.4L 4V ENGINE, MAY EXHIBIT A TICKING
NOISE FROM THE AREA OF THE UPPER CYLINDER HEAD. THE CONDITION IS MORE
NOTICEABLE WHEN ENGINE IS WARM. TO SERVICE, USE A STETHOSCOPE TO ISOLATE THE NOISE. CHECK ENGINE OIL PRESSURE AT IDLE. WITH <?***:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on">CAM</st1lace> COVERS REMOVED, OBSERVE OIL FEED PRESSURE AT EACH CYLINDER HEAD. INSPECT FOR VALVE TRAIN DAMAGE. CK TENSIONERS, CAMSHAFT SPROCKETS OR FOR A MISSING SPACER BEHIND THE SPROCKETS & LASH ADJUSTERS. SERVICE AS REQUIRED. REMOVE FRONT INTAKE CAMSHAFT LADDER (ONE <st1lace w:st="on">CAM</st1lace> LADDER AT A TIME) & INSPECT THE CAMSHAFT LADDER BOSSES FOR DEBRIS.
CLEAN SURFACE AND REINSTALL LADDER. TORQUE THE BOLTS TO 10 NM, STARTING FROM THE CENTER BOLTS AND OUTWARD. REPEAT PROCESS FOR REMAINING LADDERS.

Then there was this one which came out later:

Article No.
03-11-4 ENGINE - MUSTANG COBRA - TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE - COBRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 11/1/2002 ONLY

Publication Date: May 23, 2003

FORD: 2003 MUSTANG

ISSUE:
Some 2003 Mustang Cobra vehicles with engines built before 11/1/2002 may exhibit an unusual engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. This noise may be due to valve guide wear in the left bank cylinder head. Guide wear manifests itself as a tick noise which can be heard at the rear of LH head, through LH catalyst, at the LH front wheel well and may not be heard with the hood open.

ACTION:
Use the diagnostic procedures listed in this article to evaluate the vehicle condition and replace the cylinder head if applicable. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: THIS REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WILL NOT IMPROVE OR REDUCE PERFORMANCE.

In order to diagnose noise, the following items must be checked.

Verify noise by placing a stethoscope on the back of the left head near the exhaust ports.
Verify that the noise is heard in the left side exhaust system (left side wheel well or catalytic converter, from underneath the vehicle).
Try to isolate the noise by canceling the cylinders, by unplugging the injectors one at a time (start with #8 cylinder).
Verify that there are no exhaust manifold leaks.
Check to make sure that the camshaft spacers are in place. If not, install cam spacers (per Workshop Manual Section 303-01C) and retest vehicle.
Check for proper cam sprocket bolt torque, retorque to spec listed in the Workshop Manual Section 303-01C.
Check for spongy lash adjusters (refer to Section 303-00 in the corresponding Workshop Manual).
Verify that the timing chain tensioner pin has been removed.
If the above diagnostics does not eliminate the noise while the cylinders are cancelled, and the engine was built prior to 11/1/2002, replace the left side cylinder head and cam assembly with Part Number 3R2Z-6049-GA. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 303-01C for cylinder head replacement procedures.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
3R2Z-6049-GA Cylinder Head And <st1lace w:st="on">Cam</st1lace> Assembly - Left - Cobra Only

Of course there's been two new versions of the heads released since these SSM's were first issued. There early 03/04 heads have only 4 threads per sparkplug hole whereas the new heads have 9.

Hope this helps and good luck!

U.M.

03 Terminator heads

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