Zoie_daGT

Well, I just spent yesterday and today pulling the tranny. Got it done tonight. My friend Greg and I learned A LOT and really did a great job. All on jackstands w/ Greg's tools. We ended up only breaking 1 wrench hahahahaa. Well, it really was messed up quite bad. Bellhousing looks like a pinwheel w/ the shards. Flywheel is somewhat blue from the heat, clutch has about a third of organic material wripped off, and the pressure plate is done. The starter has two of three bolts destroyed(very new one too...), and the one O2 sensor is shot. We really fought to get it done. I have a pinion leak in the back as well as the one head my have a gasket leak. BUT, we triumphed and were real happy we got it out. I wanted it in my living room tonight to take to Hanlon tomorrow....but, the plot thickens.

We pulled the tranny out very carefully and made a BAD discovery. Four engine block bolt bungs are broken. Two on the top and two where the starter attaches. There went all our excitment of getting this bad boy up and running. I have been riding my bike to class and the bus to work since mid- OCT. I have been saving for twice as long too. Now, it looks like I need a new block. I guess my spring semester will be spent doing the same thing. Srry, but had to vent in a long post. I am somewhat dissappointed now. I really dont have the money but I am doing this on my own. My parents wanted to loan me cash but they have their own problems. I am doing it on my own as much as possible. I have a few options:

1. Forged MMR block w/ forged internals for more nitrous. If I do the forged block, I am doing internals while it is apart.
2. Used 5.4L engine from a Ford truck and get more displacement. Stock internals but lots of potential
3. Ford Explorer block. 100 lbs. lighter and same displacement(4.6L). (Could I still use nonPI heads on it??? I want a theme of nonPI heads and T45 tranny ina fast car.)

What do you think???? Am I crazy and it isnt meant to be or what??? hahahhaa Just looking for some feedback. Srry, for the long post.

Colorado_Mustang

Mach crate motor from Ford Racing Parts.

mikev08826

WTF?

pics?

rbstang

non-PI...[sm=smiley21.gif]

I would get the MMR Forged Block... 5.4 its really that good... Explorer engine some dude used it in the n/a shootout and ran pretty good times.

Zoie_daGT

Yes, pics will be up but I have to get them sized properly and I am tired right now. Expect and update tomorrow hopefully.

I want to use the nonPI if at all possible to prove a point about them. I just considered that it may be cheaper to use a 5.4L engine. I saw the guy in the NA shootout. That is where I got the idea about the explorer block. Ijust dont know if the nonPI heads will fit on there.

mikev08826

How does the bellhousing get pinwheeled?

Zoie_daGT

When if blew, it opened up like barndoors. When I pulled it out...the wrip/crack in it was the whole way around. It gives the effect of a pinwheel to me. You will have to take a look at the pics.

2000GT4.6

Do yourself a favor and dump the NPI heads man. MM&FF already went the route you did, and all they ended up finding out was its a bad idea. (project RSC).

While everyone likes the idea of a forged assembly, its a waste on stock NPI heads, and porting NPI heads is kinda silly too... why waste money on that when you can get a set of cheap PI heads and port them...

Save the money on the shortblock and just buy a entire junkyard PI engine and a TKO