SVT Swap Question

racnfirecapn · 09-19-2012, 12:22 AM

Hey Guys and Gals,

I posted this here because I wanted the expert opinion of the SVT crowd.

I'm getting ready to swap the motor in one of the 3 SVT's I picked up last December. Bought it (severely neglected, one owner, 2002 Sonic Blue) with a spun rod bearing and picked up a pretty clean, wrecked 2004 Sonic blue with right side, sideswipe damage, and good motor. I plan to replace the usual stuff (timing belt kit, serpentine belt, tensioner and idler, water pump, thermostat housing, clutch, and plugs). Just wondering if you very knowledgeable Foci owners know of anything else I should be concerned with during the swap. I also am under the impresssion that it is a direct swap 04 into the 02. Are there any sensor's that were changed between 02 and 04? Anything from the 04 that was updated and would be a better part to run.

I also have a Pitch Black 2002 SVT that has been driven daily since last December and I really have enjoyed the car whenever I get the chance to drive it. I have owned a lot of cars (over 30) over the years (everything from mach 1, GTO, Charger, trucks, SHO, etc...) and this is one of my favorites for its nimbleness and interior package in such a low budget platform. Funny thing is when my daughter was about to get her license a few years ago she advised me she would not be caught dead in a focus especially the ZX3 body style. And she ended up with an Explorer. Now whenever she can, she jumps in the SVT and has a ball driving it. That's why I bought the second SVT to repair, because now it's a battle to get to drive the car between my daughter and wife.

I look forward to hearing from the experts on here so I can get started with the swap in the next few weeks.

Thanks again,
Lester Cragan
Racnfirecapn

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drostedrummer89 · 09-19-2012, 02:56 PM

whats the mileage on the donor motor? depending on mileage I'd go all through it and replace gaskets, valve seals, deck head, maybe even crack the bottom end open and replace bearings and rings. but all that depends on mileage, as well as the results of a leakdown/compression test.

All sensors should remain the same for the svts.

Matt

racnfirecapn · 09-21-2012, 08:00 PM

Thanks Matt for the reply,

Quote:

Originally Posted by drostedrummer89

whats the mileage on the donor motor?

(Mileage on the donor motor is just over 75,000)

depending on mileage I'd go all through it and replace gaskets, valve seals, deck head, maybe even crack the bottom end open and replace bearings and rings. but all that depends on mileage, as well as the results of a leakdown/compression test.

The Compression test showed between 110 - 116 PSI on all four cylinders. From what I have read that's pretty near the best you can get from the stock SVT. I have not performed a leak down test yet but I will do that after I pull the motor. Me personally I'm not interested in decking/milling the head unless it had damage/warping and was in need of it. I actually want to keep the car in stock trim. I might consider a rebuild if the consensus leans that way. I was actually thinking that I would go through and rebuild the motor with the spun rod bearing after the replacement is completed. The motor in the neglected SVT (approximately 128,000 miles) had the head rebuilt about 4 months before the spun bearing problem surfaced. (Resulted from a, believe it or not, broken timing belt no less. Imagine that!!)

All sensors should remain the same for the svts. Thanks for the info here!!

Matt

Lester

drostedrummer89 · 09-22-2012, 01:03 AM

I meant just deck it flat if doing a head gasket. I like doing things like pressure testing cyl heads and lapping valves, I like the thought of near 100% cylinder pressure.

I like overkill. Refreshing everything while its out of the car, and doing it right the first time.

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