Timing chain cover

[Ogre]

Hi all. I usually spend more time in the classic side of the house but my recent purchase/project has me spending more time here.

Background: I bought a 2000 GT with head issues (another story) that needed to be swapped out with another set that came with the deal. The good heads he said came off a 2002 GT. I got the "new" heads all put on and then proceeded to put the timing chains and cover back on.

Issue: Everything was going good until I tried to put the bolts in the timing chain cover. When I took the cover off, I traced it on a large cardboard box bottom marking the bolt holes. When I removed a bolt, I punched a hole in the box to put it where it belonged. So, supposedly, I am putting all the bolts back where they belong.

Anyway this is the problem. The bolts that connect the timing chain cover to each head won't work. I looked at the old heads compared to the new heads and the bolt holes in the new heads are smaller. The old heads had M10 size holes and the new heads are M8.

Solution: What should I do to fix this? Anyone else run into this issue? Anyone have good pics of their installed timing chain cover along with the bolts?

Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

[COramprat]

I've never heard of the issue but you can probably just go to Ford and get the bolts for the heads. They will probably know why they size is different also. Try to PM SVTTech (Mike) and see what he says. He pops in here every once and a while

 

[trinity_gt]

Sounds like a difference between Windor and Romeo heads.

Probably easiest to go to the dealer and order the needed hardware. Make sure you specify Romeo (2002), not your car's year...

 

[bdcardinal]

you also will want to make sure the valve covers fit too, unless you got some with the new heads.

 

[COramprat]

Sounds like a difference between Windor and Romeo heads.

That would have been my guess but I figured I'd wait to see if someone knew already.

Either way the dealer will be your best bet to get the proper bolts.

 

[Ogre]

All good advice. I will be going to the Ford stealership tomorrow to see what they can tell me. I will post what I find out.

Are you serious that the valve covers might be different?

 

[bdcardinal]

windsor and romeo used different valve covers depending on the year. count the number of bolt holes. also, it will help a lot of you have the VIN of what the parts came off of. i use ProQuest, and on 01+ stangs, the VIN will eliminate any options.

 

[ky_kneedragger]

i didnt think the heads from a romeo would work on a windsor.

 

[bdcardinal]

i didnt think the heads from a romeo would work on a windsor.

heads fit fine. most of Patriot's castings are Windsor iirc.

 

[ky_kneedragger]

heads fit fine. most of Patriot's castings are Windsor iirc.

so u can use romeo heads on a windsor block and vise versa? but the heads gaskets are diff.i have a romeo motor with the heads off and i put an old head gasket from my 00' gt windsor and the ports wouldnt line up the same?

 

[Ogre]

Haven't checked the valve covers to the heads yet, but went to the stealership today and ordered bolts for timing chain cover. I got 9 bolts and a bag of nuts for about $40.00. What a rip, but at least I'll have what I need.

 

[ky_kneedragger]

heads fit fine. most of Patriot's castings are Windsor iirc.

i've actually done some research and you can not use romeo heads on a windsor block or windsor heads on a romeo block

 

[bdcardinal]

not trying to argue, but show your research. since i have successfully used romeo heads on a windsor block and vice versa. its also obvious tha the OP has indeed mated romeo and windsor parts
unless you are referring to a windsor block a la the 302w and 351w

 

[ky_kneedragger]

not trying to argue, but show your research. since i have successfully used romeo heads on a windsor block and vice versa. its also obvious tha the OP has indeed mated romeo and windsor parts
unless you are referring to a windsor block a la the 302w and 351w

my research consists of having worked with certified ford mechanics,and having both engines in the garage torn down,and the cam covers wont fit the other heads,the heads gaskets dont line up right due to the ports being in diff places! u can sit the romeo heads on the windsor block and bolt them down,but it will more than likely not run right due to THE PORTS BEING DIFFERENT.but uh it doesnt matter to me b/c i have check it out and read on a few other sites,talked to a lot of people. the head gaskets are even different...


maybe they will work maybe they wont..but from trying to match the gaskets up with the other head,nothing lined up...but hell there are so many diff castings of these heads,blocks....timing covers. too hard to keep up with