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!
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.
BTW don't order anything from Treperformance; they sent me an email promising me they were sending out my mid-pipe last Wednesday; needless to say it shipped yesterday I was looking forward to installing it Friday night. So much for that I got the part dirt cheap but it wasn't worth the frustration - lesson learned
BTW don't order anything from Treperformance; they sent me an email promising me they were sending out my mid-pipe last Wednesday; needless to say it shipped yesterday I was looking forward to installing it Friday night. So much for that I got the part dirt cheap but it wasn't worth the frustration - lesson learned
Hmmm.... Did you PM N2O88 by chance? He's like the owner/operator of Treperformance and visits Stangnet on occasion. Send him a polite and respectful PM and let him know you're not happy with the service provided. Let me know what happens.
Hmmm.... Did you PM N2O88 by chance? He's like the owner/operator of Treperformance and visits Stangnet on occasion. Send him a polite and respectful PM and let him know you're not happy with the service provided. Let me know what happens.
Ahh, well I'm over it for the most part. The kid I was dealing with on the phone sounded like a young kid, so I think he had other things on his mind. Plus it was the day before Thanksgiving - he just made a commitment by email it was gonna happen. It just pisses me off when people make empty promises.
Since he is a forum member I will give the place another shot; I need some pads and some steel brake lines next. I may PM him anyway to make him aware of how his business is operating...
Actually TSBs and SSMs are two different things, the tick started out as a SSM which later became a TSB which is how ford usually does it. Either way ford has had big problems when it comes 4v V8 heads, we replace them on navigators and aviators quite often. TSB 06-05-13