Original Motor or Replacement?

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bditty50

Member

Jun 20, 2005

170

0

16

Tampa, Florida

Dec 15, 2008

#1

• Dec 15, 2008

• #1

I'm looking at a 03 Cobra and I noticed that the Valve covers on the car are the Lincoln style black valve covers. I was wondering did these ever come on any of the Cobras? I'm pretty sure they all came with silver valve covers and this makes me wonder if these is an actual 03/04 cobra bottom end. I'm guessing Ford or Carfax would have this info if it was a warranty thing and if so what would it be replaced with an equal motor or a lesser type. I see its SVT but, this make me wonder.

 

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bdcardinal

tree hugger

Jun 10, 2003

3,612

16

69

santa barbara, CA

Dec 16, 2008

#2

• Dec 16, 2008

• #2

the previous owner could have just painted them black.

 

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bditty50

Member

Jun 20, 2005

170

0

16

Tampa, Florida

Dec 16, 2008

#3

• Dec 16, 2008

• #3

I doubt the owner did that as you see it doesn't even have an aftermarket pulley. So, what do you guys think?

 

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Smokeurhonda

New Member

May 1, 2003

457

0

0

Maryland

Dec 17, 2008

#4

• Dec 17, 2008

• #4

If the motor is replaced for some reason at ford, such as a warrenty claim, they take the original valve cover. The reason they do this is because the valve covers are signed by the engine builders. If you get a replacement motor it is not hand built, therefore it is no longer the work of the guys signed on the cover, so they take the covers with the old motor. I'm not sure if the replacement valve covers are black or silver, but I do know that 03 mach 1's had black, and 04 had silver. Hope this helps

 

hotcobra03

Active Member

Nov 29, 1999

969

4

39

poteet,tx

Dec 17, 2008

#5

• Dec 17, 2008

• #5

need more than pics to answer???????????

looks like hoses are plugged and wire harness is out of place.....this has 222k on it so dont pic on it

 

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bditty50

Member

Jun 20, 2005

170

0

16

Tampa, Florida

Dec 17, 2008

#6

• Dec 17, 2008

• #6

so do you guys think it is a replacement motor?

 

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Smokeurhonda

New Member

May 1, 2003

457

0

0

Maryland

Dec 17, 2008

#7

• Dec 17, 2008

• #7

Sorry I didn't see the pictures before. I have never seen a terminator with black valve covers. But They do have the SVT plaque on them. It is probably a factory motor. Hey Ford is known to run out of parts and go to the bin. Maybe that happened in your situation. I can't see much in the pictures. What is the texture like? Are they plastic, paint, or powdercoat?

 

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bditty50

Member

Jun 20, 2005

170

0

16

Tampa, Florida

Dec 17, 2008

#8

• Dec 17, 2008

• #8

they seem to be that textured powder coating from the lincoln cars.

 

hotcobra03

Active Member

Nov 29, 1999

969

4

39

poteet,tx

Dec 17, 2008

#9

• Dec 17, 2008

• #9

hoses are backwards

look at vacuum line on air inlet tube,,,that goes on tb where they have evap hose ,,,does that change the boost???????????covers were changed or whatever,,,is block steel????????

 

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bditty50

Member

Jun 20, 2005

170

0

16

Tampa, Florida

Dec 17, 2008

#10

• Dec 17, 2008

• #10

I'm not sure at all I've just never seen a terminator with black covers. I also don't think the old owner replaced them seeing as it has the blower pulley shroud still on.

 

hotcobra03

Active Member

Nov 29, 1999

969

4

39

poteet,tx

Dec 18, 2008

#11

• Dec 18, 2008

• #11

bditty50 said:

I'm not sure at all I've just never seen a terminator with black covers. I also don't think the old owner replaced them seeing as it has the blower pulley shroud still on.

Click to expand...

what does the shroud have to do with valve covers..it never has to be touched to change covers,,,but i like the look

 

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conv91lx

Founding Member

Jun 20, 2000

144

0

0

Bloomington, IL. USA

Jan 30, 2009

#12

• Jan 30, 2009

• #12

Well, I agree with the op. If car is stock, why would the only mod be painted/replaced valve covers? This is not an easy mod. Passenger side is not too bad. Drivers side in a giant pita. In most cases the brake booster needs to be unbolted from the firewall and move out of the way. Who knows? Is block made from iron (rusted)? Look for some serial #s in the block and head castings. I would stay away unless you can verify.

 

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conv91lx

Founding Member

Jun 20, 2000

144

0

0

Bloomington, IL. USA

Jan 30, 2009

#13

• Jan 30, 2009

• #13

I looked at the pictures a little closer, the underhood paint(shock towers) does not match the exterior of the car (appears to be green). This concerns me, make damn sure this is actually an 03 cobra. Carfax that vin for sure. Also, don't quote me, I'm not sure ford made an 03 cobra in green.

 

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Uncle Meat

Banned

Jun 13, 2002

0

1

0

Prattville, Alabama

Jan 30, 2009

#14

• Jan 30, 2009

• #14

There were no green 03/04 Cobra's, unless you want to count the '04 Mystichrome which does look green from an angle, but that car in the picture is not a Mystichrome Terminator.

As for the valve covers... those black covers do not come on the 03/04, or any Ford replacement 03/04 motor.

Look hard and long at the car because something just isn't right...

U.M.

 

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bditty50

Member

Jun 20, 2005

170

0

16

Tampa, Florida

Jan 30, 2009

#15

• Jan 30, 2009

• #15

The car is painted an aftermarket color on parts its multi colored but, original black. Easy to turn back to all black. I'm not sure about the motor on this car definitely but, I agree I've never seen one with black valve covers.