ekthrilla

ok i just recently bought a 98 cobra with 77,000 miles on it and ive had it for 3 months no problems. a couple days ago i started hearing a noise and its coming from the bottom end. ive had 3 ppl listen to it and one guy says it might be a wrist pin. another guy says it sounds like i might have damaged a piston sleeve and im getting piston slap. and another guy said i could have cracked or bent a rod. my harmonic balancer is moving a tiny bit and it makes the clack clack clack noise at about 2300 rpms. it does it when i lift off the gas and keep the gas steady. when i rev it up to say 2500 rpms it only does it when i let off the gas and it clacks like 3 times and then stops. you cant hear it when the motor is idleing just each time i shift. any suggestions for what yall think it could be and if soo could i replace just that rod and piston or do i have to replace all rods and pistons and so on.. thanks and any suggestion is highly appreciated. and also...i know a guy who has a 98 lincoln LSC which has a 4.6L 32 valve motor. my mustang mechanics say its the same exact motor. all i would have to do is switch my intake and its the same. he wants 1000$ for the whole car so thats where my new motor will come from if i need to do that. im just wandering if i get that motor...will it perform the exact same as my cobra motor. are the heads the same...ect.. im just looking for a cheaper easier way...thanks

BraMas

If it where the things your friends told you it would be all the time. I'm gonna throw 1 more at you Timming chain adjuster. Common problem on the 4V. I had to replace mine right after I put it in the car (Under warrenty). And what you decribe sounds just like mine.

ekthrilla

the sound is coming from under the head on the back of the motor. im getting that motor. any info on that 4 valve? everyone is telling me its identical so im going to take there word for it.