Contemplating finding a shop for engine "refresh"

**LouF** · 11-06-2024

I've had a random misfire for years and years (decade?), and I think I have to consider it's a head gasket. The car has 131,000 miles. I've tried to find the problem forever, but I never have. I haven't done a compression test. It has a small lifter tick, too. So, I'm thinking a "refresh" rebuild is what it needs. And tore down to the head gasket will bring up questions like timing belt and what not. So that's why I'm calling it "refresh" instead of a whole rebuild.

I can't put in the time and risk to do it myself.

Not only that, but the trans has been less than 100% for a while. Right now, Lucas has kept it useable. I wanted to get a rebuild from somewhere like a small performance rebuild shop like Triple Edge or Extreme Performance. Not an AAMCO type shop. If the price is much better for a rebuild, I'd have to go with that.

I still really like my GP, but now it is hurting in two major categories.

I'm throwing out the idea for suggestions. I'm in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

**FordMan77** · 11-07-2024

At 131K that engine is just barely getting broken in. Are you sure it's a lifter tick and not an exhaust leak? Even at that, the lifters in these cars are not known to be quiet. With that said, mine did apparently have a lifter tick that I thought was a cracked rear manifold but ran up to 414k before the lifter finally showed itself and gave up. Funny part was even with the lifter issue it ran smooth, just got a noticible knock to it.

As far as the misfire, what have you replaced to try and resolve it? Is your car a GT or GTP?

Head gaskets are rare on these engines but can happen. And they also have a timing chain, no belt. And I've yet to change a stock one on any of my 3800's. One is at 300K and the other lived in the 414K engine I just pulled and I wasn't always kind to it and had no issues. But if you plan on having it pulled down to a shortblock then I'd replace the set while in there.

Would definetly go with TEP on the trans. Besides, they're only ~4 hours from you. You could pull it and drop it off/pickup in person and save a ton on shipping and get a road trip to boot. I only have 2 people that I would trust to build me a trans and Dave is one.

**LouF** · 11-07-2024