Just bought a 99 GT and have a few ?'s

TheGrayt1 · Apr 16, 2008

I bought an absolutely immaculate 99 GT yesterday. The car has 100k on it and runs perfect. I bought it from the original owner who clearly did not rag on it much. I got it for $6500, is that a good deal? This is my first modular mustang and have a few ?'s

1. What weight oil, brand, and filter should I use in it?

2. Do these cars have any chronic problems at this mileage? Is there any major things I should do to it. All major systems work great. Somebody told me that these cars spin the 7 and 8 rod bearings but I have never heard that before. They said it was due to a coolant revision issue or something.

3. The car had the intake replaced under a ford recall is that normal?

4. Finally, any other basic tips to keep this stang running long and strong. Thanks guys.

mustang50v8 · Apr 16, 2008

TheGrayt1 said:
I bought an absolutely immaculate 99 GT yesterday. The car has 100k on it and runs perfect. I bought it from the original owner who clearly did not rag on it much. I got it for $6500, is that a good deal? This is my first modular mustang and have a few ?'s

1. What weight oil, brand, and filter should I use in it?

2. Do these cars have any chronic problems at this mileage? Is there any major things I should do to it. All major systems work great. Somebody told me that these cars spin the 7 and 8 rod bearings but I have never heard that before. They said it was due to a coolant revision issue or something.

3. The car had the intake replaced under a ford recall is that normal?

4. Finally, any other basic tips to keep this stang running long and strong. Thanks guys.

1. i believe that model still has a recommended oil of 5w30. personally i use mobile1 and napa/wix filters, but others will tell you that i am wasting my money and others will tell you to use more expensive oil.

2. i cant recall any chronic issues with these motors aside from the intake cracking....otherwise they last a long time, which leads me into...

3 the intake on the pre-01 or 02 had a all plastic intake that cracked around the thermostat housing. the newer intakes have aluminum crossovers to prevent this.

4. only thing i can recommend is keep up an general maintenance fluids, plugs that sort of stuff. and if you break anything...its a good excuse to upgrade.

EDIT: oh yeah, no posting a thread about your new (to you) car without pics!!!
...

deftsound · Apr 16, 2008

i bought my 99 with 76k miles for 7500, you got a good deal!

Enjoy your 99, I have absolutely love mine. 8k miles ive been blown and the car still runs like its brand new at 103k

My intake cracked like yours, our motors were built before they started using the aluminum crossovers on the intake manifold so they were prone to cracking

TheGrayt1 · Apr 16, 2008

The pictures I tried to upload are too large. Thanks for the help guys and keep them coming!

mustang50v8 · Apr 16, 2008

TheGrayt1 said:
The pictures I tried to upload are too large. Thanks for the help guys and keep them coming!

if necessary, upload them at www.tinypic.com and post the link here

TripleBlk · Apr 16, 2008

TheGrayt1 said:
I bought an absolutely immaculate 99 GT yesterday. The car has 100k on it and runs perfect. I bought it from the original owner who clearly did not rag on it much. I got it for $6500, is that a good deal? This is my first modular mustang and have a few ?'s

1. What weight oil, brand, and filter should I use in it?

2. Do these cars have any chronic problems at this mileage? Is there any major things I should do to it. All major systems work great. Somebody told me that these cars spin the 7 and 8 rod bearings but I have never heard that before. They said it was due to a coolant revision issue or something.

3. The car had the intake replaced under a ford recall is that normal?

4. Finally, any other basic tips to keep this stang running long and strong. Thanks guys.

Congrats, the '99 Ford Mustang was a well-built reliable car. I've had mine since new .

1. I use 10w30 Mobil 1 synthetic oil and Motorcraft 820s filters (ONLY).

2. Watch for the idler tensioner arm bending - it is aluminum, but Ford (or Randy Stinchcomb) sells a kit with a steel arm. IAC's typically go bad. I also had to replace the driver's side window when the glue tey use gave way.

3. I still have my original intake. I change the coolant every summer, and don't "reef" on the thermostat bolts. I'm knocking on wood about the cracks- they are common...

4. Change the coolant, trans, and rear end fluids at regular intervals. PCV valve from Ford is also a good idea every 50K or so. Spark plug torque (if you change them) is important. Just be careful when installing them is what I mean.

Good luck with the car !

TheGrayt1 · Apr 16, 2008

Thanks, I absolutely love this car. Is 5w 20 Motorcraft oil good? I was told that was what to use?

BurningRubber · Apr 16, 2008

For a 99 the owners manual reccomends 5 quarts of 5w30.

I use Motorcraft oil and the FL-820S Motorcraft oil filter. You can get all of that at Super Walmart.

No big issues with these cars, just keep the general matinence up.

Like mentioned, if you change the plugs, do it on a STONE COLD ENGINE. You can easily damage the spark plug threads on these heads if they are overtightened or you do them on a hot engine.

That will lead to a spark plug blowing out (literally) and its not a pretty repair.

And yes, you got a smokin deal if the car is in good shape as you said. I paid $7800 for my 2000 w/ 93k on it just over 2 years ago.

TheGrayt1 · Apr 16, 2008

The car is in absolutely mint shape! It has never been driven in the rain and looks like brand new honestly.

Will the 5w 20 hurt the engine? I am in Dallas, texas where it gets a little warm. I am using the Motorcraft syn blend oil.

mustang50v8 · Apr 17, 2008

TheGrayt1 said:
The car is in absolutely mint shape! It has never been driven in the rain and looks like brand new honestly.

Will the 5w 20 hurt the engine? I am in Dallas, texas where it gets a little warm. I am using the Motorcraft syn blend oil.

well i just took a look at the owners manual for your year...it recommends 5 quarts of 5w30. 5w20 is not going to hurt you at all, especially this time of year, but for your next change i would go with the manual recommendation. and using ford branded oil will never hurt your vehicle.

what color is your car?
and sill....we need pics!!!!!

GettinThere · Apr 17, 2008

If I had just bought a used car, even if it was in great shape, I would definitely do the following as soon as possible:

Change the oil and filter (Mobil1 5w30, non-Fram filter),
Clean or replace the air filter,
Replace the fuel filter,
Flush and refill the coolant, and
Bleed the brakes.

On a high-mileage car I would also replace the radiator hoses, the serpentine belt, the spark plugs, and the transmission fluid.

Get a Haynes manuel ($17 at just about any auto parts store) and check out http://www.bullittarchive.com/index.htm

stangjay · Apr 17, 2008

I've got 200 k miles on my 99 with no real problems ever. Had the car since 25 k miles. I have run motorcraft 5w20 since ford switched there recomendations around 2001 i believe. I have replaced the spark plugs only twice and they looked brand new every time. I change the fuel filter every once in a while. Still stock intake (knock on wood). Just replaced the COP's about 170 k miles.

fudleyd · Apr 18, 2008

Nice find man. I have always run 5w30 Valvoline in my car (had it since 8k miles) and it has always run fine with very few issues but I also keep up well with all the regulars like fluid changes.

We still need pics!

mustang50v8 · Apr 18, 2008

dude

2 days and still no pics of the new ride?

TheGrayt1 · Apr 19, 2008

I am getting some today guys, my bad. I also got a brand new digital SLR camera today so they will be high res pics as well.

fudleyd · Apr 20, 2008

TheGrayt1 said:
I am getting some today guys, my bad. I also got a brand new digital SLR camera today so they will be high res pics as well.

You get the pics yet?

steve_stang2003 · Apr 20, 2008

Congrats, you got a great deal.

The motor lasts forever with regular oil changes.
The intake manifold crossover is a must do if it has not been done already.
Don't waste money on an after market manifold, just get the stock unit.

Ford DID pay for a recall so you might want to contact your dealer.
They may do it for free or offer a compromise and split the cost or something.

Oil is per your owners manual.
The earlier cars took 5 quarts, the later ones 6 quarts due to a redesigned oil pan.

Use what your manual says.

I like Mobil 1 with a Motorcraft 820S filter.
Wally World has oil on sale all the time.

Like others said change plugs on a stone cold motor.
Use a torque wrench and torque toward the high end.

I like Motorcraft copper plugs (your car came with platinum), I think it is ASF32C, double check that one, but they have full length threads.
Earlier plugs and some after market plugs still have half length threads.

Spark plug blowout is common on these motors when people don't follow the proper torque specs.

If you ever hear a ticking sound, get home ASAP, wait till the car is stone cold and check the torque on your plugs.

If you torqued them to spec from the start you have nothing to worry about.

These are fine cars that are easy and cheap to maintain.
The motors last forever if cared for.

Best of luck!

Just bought a 99 GT and have a few ?'s

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