Bad heads on '03 Cobras ?
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Bad heads on '03 Cobras ?
Because I report the good with the bad here is some updated news on the Mustang platform. 
29 July 03
According to a Ford Motor Company memo, 2003 Ford Mustang Cobras may have defective engine cylinder heads. The memo noted that the Cobras may exhibit an unusual engine noise that is present at all temperature ranges during engine idle. The memo also states that the noise may be due to bad cylinder head valve guides in the left hand cylinder head. The noise may be heard at the rear of the left hand cylinder head, thought the left side exhaust or at the left front wheel of the vehicle.
If your 2003 Cobra Mustang exhibits this condition, Ford may replace the cylinder head and cam assembly. The replacement cylinder head part number is: 3R2Z-6049-GA. Owners are advised to have their vehicles inspected before the warranty period expires.
This is considered a "silent recall" where upon Ford may NOT notify owners of this condition. For more information, it is suggested that owners contact Pat Hoye (313) 248-8336 at Ford World Headquarters.
So what do you think ?
29 July 03
According to a Ford Motor Company memo, 2003 Ford Mustang Cobras may have defective engine cylinder heads. The memo noted that the Cobras may exhibit an unusual engine noise that is present at all temperature ranges during engine idle. The memo also states that the noise may be due to bad cylinder head valve guides in the left hand cylinder head. The noise may be heard at the rear of the left hand cylinder head, thought the left side exhaust or at the left front wheel of the vehicle.
If your 2003 Cobra Mustang exhibits this condition, Ford may replace the cylinder head and cam assembly. The replacement cylinder head part number is: 3R2Z-6049-GA. Owners are advised to have their vehicles inspected before the warranty period expires.
This is considered a "silent recall" where upon Ford may NOT notify owners of this condition. For more information, it is suggested that owners contact Pat Hoye (313) 248-8336 at Ford World Headquarters.
So what do you think ?
Pull Over
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 924
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Yeah that has been known for a while as the "tick". A few months ago some New Jersey owners had the new heads replaced and from what I have read haven't had any problems with the new ones.
The only problem I would have as a 03 Cobra owner would be that the engine was hand assembled by specially trained techs and the replacement heads are done at the dealership level.
The only problem I would have as a 03 Cobra owner would be that the engine was hand assembled by specially trained techs and the replacement heads are done at the dealership level.
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"I'm in the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going!"
93 Cobra, R302 331,canfields,T-76,TKO......sold
87 Coupe, 466, Edelbrock heads,Vic jr,150 shot 10.41@129.5...sold
2006 Honda 450ER .....new toy
Do you own a Torch Red FRC and tremble every time you drive under I75 on Hwy 60 and look in your rearview mirror? If so you are suffering from what is known as Cobraphobia.
"I'm in the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going!"
93 Cobra, R302 331,canfields,T-76,TKO......sold
87 Coupe, 466, Edelbrock heads,Vic jr,150 shot 10.41@129.5...sold
2006 Honda 450ER .....new toy
Do you own a Torch Red FRC and tremble every time you drive under I75 on Hwy 60 and look in your rearview mirror? If so you are suffering from what is known as Cobraphobia.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
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That does suck for people that have had the 03 cobra for a while and have modded it. Then when you take it to the dealership they will play that, "Oh no, you put a smaller pulley on that, more boost will do that, nope I ain't changing nothing".
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"Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire, the wheels of his mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45. True death. 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night, this is Black Sunshine"
"Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire, the wheels of his mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45. True death. 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night, this is Black Sunshine"
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
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All the people who have the tick have noticed it during the first several thousand miles of driving, or have noticed it the same day they bought the car. From what I am reading, the defective heads dont just all of a sudden go defective, they were defective to begin with.
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I'm curious why its only the left head. Are those heads asymmetrical? Most aren't, so both heads should make the noise.
There were some Duratech 2.3 heads that left the assembly plant without a machining step that drills an oil passage for the valvetrain. Oopsies, no oil makes for more than just "the tick"
I believe Ford caught them before any made it into vehicles, but some guys are buying them through the Ford "scrappers" and have to watch out for a certain date code.
There were some Duratech 2.3 heads that left the assembly plant without a machining step that drills an oil passage for the valvetrain. Oopsies, no oil makes for more than just "the tick"
I believe Ford caught them before any made it into vehicles, but some guys are buying them through the Ford "scrappers" and have to watch out for a certain date code.
