1995 4.6 Engine
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Calgary, Alberta
1995 4.6 Engine
Hello all,
I am thinking of buying a 1995 Thunderbird with the 4.6 litre engine. How reliable is this engine for these years? Any common failure areas to look at?
Thanks, Brian.
I am thinking of buying a 1995 Thunderbird with the 4.6 litre engine. How reliable is this engine for these years? Any common failure areas to look at?
Thanks, Brian.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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It doesn't have the 1st gen intake manifold with the plastic water jacket does it? I helped a friend change his out today because it split open from heat and age. The newer design has an aluminum water jacket to prevent the BS we went through today. The replacement part wasn't cheap either. Otherwise do the usual checks for oil leaks, listen for valvetrain noise if they owner allows it do a compression test on it, make sure there are no CEL codes, ask if he/she has any service records to verify they kept up with regular maintenance work. Then run a Carfax on the car.
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New User
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From: Calgary, Alberta
I just looked at a 1997 Cougar that the owner just replaced the intake manifold for the same problem. Does anyone know what years of the 4.6 engine have the plastic water jacket?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Just take a look at the intake manifold. The front section (water jacket) will be made of aluminum if its the second version or if its already been replaced once. I'm not sure of the exact year for the switch. Sorry man, just trying to point out some known problems to avoid.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
'95' T-birds do NOT have the plastic intake, only '96/97 (I should know, I have a '96 and a '97 Cougar 4.6L 30th Anniv).
The only real problems the '95's had was torque-converter lockup shudder, which can be fixed with one (or two) complete tranny fluid changes.
Other than that, VERY reliable if you take care of them.
RichH, I don't know what a "1st gen" intake is, but in '95, the 4.6L's had already been used for 5 years, it's certainly not a "1st" generation anything. The '96/97 had the plastic intake (changed my '96's under warranty). I think you're referring to the '96 Mustang with the "1st gen" 4.6L, but again, that's no where near the "1st" 4.6L
art k.
The only real problems the '95's had was torque-converter lockup shudder, which can be fixed with one (or two) complete tranny fluid changes.
Other than that, VERY reliable if you take care of them.
RichH, I don't know what a "1st gen" intake is, but in '95, the 4.6L's had already been used for 5 years, it's certainly not a "1st" generation anything. The '96/97 had the plastic intake (changed my '96's under warranty). I think you're referring to the '96 Mustang with the "1st gen" 4.6L, but again, that's no where near the "1st" 4.6L
art k.
