Just put a deposit down on a 1999 Cobra! Questions...
 

Hello to everyone!

I am hoping that you guys in your collective wisdom can answer a couple of questions.

Yesterday afternoon I left a deposit on a beautiful black 1999 Cobra! I called 1800-Ford-SVT with the VIN and they told me two interesting things about this car.

One, the work to fix the "power deficit" had been performed... and two that this car had an engine replaced under warranty at 28000 (and the car only has 31,000 on it now).

Before I write the check, I am wondering-

Is there is anyway I can be sure that this car indeed has had the work done to bring the HP up to 320 like it ought to be? (there was no green sticker under the hood, BTW)

Should I be worried that this car had a blown engine? Is the replacement engine going to be as powerful/durable as the original?

Supposedly the engine was replaced because of a bad bearing- is this common enough to worry about? What causes this? Did Ford fix it? Are there any precuations that can be taken?

Any opinions and information would be much appreciated!! Thanks for your time!

RE: Just put a deposit down on a 1999 Cobra! Questions...
 

Most of the answers are best if you get them from the dealer that performed the work. From their work orders you could see if it was a rebuild or an engine replacement. They should also be able to confirm it has the upgrades to 320 HP.

As far as the bearing issue, I have not heard of any "generic" issue on this. You could ask over at SVTperformance.com.

RE: Just put a deposit down on a 1999 Cobra! Questions...
 

First of all congrats if you get it. Did the dealer or whomever you are buying it from tell you that the engine was replaced and was it a new engine?

If it was a new engine, I would think that you wouldn't have to worry about the power deficit problem since it should be corrected. I am not that sure but from what I understand the power deficit had to do with valves seating in the head. Not sure if the fix was a valve job or a replacement head.

RE: Just put a deposit down on a 1999 Cobra! Questions...
 

try posting this in either the 4.6 or SVT forum

RE: Just put a deposit down on a 1999 Cobra! Questions...
 

Go to a Local ford dealer and give them the VIN they should be able to look up any warranty work or maintenance on the car, congrats on the new stang!

RE: Just put a deposit down on a 1999 Cobra! Questions...
 

If its a new engine I wouldnt even worry about the power deficit fix. They probably dropped an 01 engine and intake setup in there, which would fix that problem anyway.

Does the engine have the SVT tag on it?