I'm looking at a 2003 Mach 1 W/ auto. I've owned first gen 289V8's for the last 35 years, but I'm embarrassed to say I know nothing about the modular V8 in the Mach. The car I'm interested in has 90,000 miles on it, and no way to tell if it's been rebuilt. I have to assume it's an an original unrebuilt engine. I have had a couple of 67 289's that had well over 100,000 miles on them and were running strong when I sold them, so I'm asking----how good is the modular? Should I run from this car because of the miles?

Thanks for any opinions.
Jay67fast

 

i didnt know the machs came with an auto? maybe someone will chime in here.

 

yea mach1's come in auto. the auto has a lower redline and a non forged crank. the 5spd has a higer redline and a forged crank. they come in auto and 5spd.

 

as long as it hasnt been ragged on hard it should be good to go for the longrun. I know that cabs, cop cars have the 2v modular and look how many miles they roll for and keep rolling some run for 300,000k++ and keep rolling. The modular motors have seem to hold up well though the test of time I guess thats why ford has continued to use the mod motor over the pushrod every since the put it into the lincoln mark8 back in 1993 then the 94 thunderbird/cougar and then the mustang etc etc... should be good to go if it has been maintained and will continue to be maintained.

 

You'll be fine man. Mod motors are good motors. It will last you longer than you will probably own the car. There are many of these cars running around with close to/over 200k miles and they run fine. There are members that are running superchargers with these motors at 150k miles. As long as you keep up with it in maintenance and take care of her, she'll take care of you.

 

Yeah as long as it been taken care of don't worry about it too much. I bought my car at 92K miles, but my supercharger on it at about 97K miles and now im at 106K miles and it runs just as good as it did when I bought it.

 

I'd hope it runs better with the supercharger and all...

 

I'm up to 178k and havnt and to many major issues with mine, other then now the tranny might need some work. But other then that the engine seems to be in great shape.

 

As stated she'll run, its a pretty good motor... if you are looking for a modest fun car its a good way to go... if you like autos. Shell out for a manual if you can... as mentioned they have a forged crank... with a different crank pulley, which as mentioned allows it to rev 1k RPMs higher(6850)