[Bushmaster]

I was alarmed on Monday to hear the same noise, for the first time, at around 2500 rpm as I was leaving the office complex. It startled me enough that I pulled over, looked under the hood and then proceeded. The next morning it did the same thing, though only momentarily. I don't know what to think, but I'm not sure I completely trust the Ford guy who says that it's OK and causes no wear and tear. I do know that I'm not interested in tearing off all my mods just for the pleasure of taking the car to the dealer and getting the same line from them. It would sure be nice not to have to deal with stuff like this on a basically new vehicle.
I guess I just keep it under two grand till the needle comes up....

 

[Bushmaster]

<<a sound that I’ll describe as valve lifter clatter if taken over 3k RPM. (I know there’s no lifters but that’s what it sounds like)

Once the car is fully warmed up, the symptoms go away but the Bullitt is a cold-blooded beast and the temp gauge has to be indicating straight up, fully warmed before these go away.>>

That's exactly how I've described the sound mine makes, too. Mine will quit as soon as the temp needle has visibly come up off the peg, usually within a minute or two after I leave the house in the morning.
Fortunately, I haven't had any transmission troubles.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bushmaster on 2002-01-09 10:49 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bushmaster on 2002-01-09 10:50 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bushmaster on 2002-01-09 10:51 ]</font>

 

[Bushmaster]

TxBullitt, did your engine builder say that this is something to be concerned about (the short skirt piston characteristic) or is it an area that needs to be corrected by Ford? There seem to be a lot of owners who are experiencing the same problem (the 3k clatter) but I haven't heard of anyone having engine failure that can be attributed to it. If it's something I don't need to worry about I can work my driving habits around it....as long as it stays above 3k rpm....and convince myself that I'll be OK. Of course, as long as Ford can't decide what the problem is or won't accept that there is one, what's the recourse?