Head Tick? 03 Problem

[tmkr3]

I just got the car and I saw on some one's website that the 03 cobra has what they called a head tick because the valve seats overheat and warp only on the drivers side when you start to make more power. I know more power=more heat.
Does anyone know how true this is? Anyone have this problem?
I want to modify the car but I don't want to be tearing the motor apart any time soon.

Thanks for any help.

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[blubyu]

Look closely at your head (drivers side). If you have blue paint on it, you have an updated or replaced head.

 

[ShelbyGuy]

ignore the blue paint. it means nothing relevant. plenty of blue heads got the tick.

some cars get the tick, some dont.

Look closely at your head (drivers side). If you have blue paint on it, you have an updated or replaced head.

 

[Flyn]

Out of all the Terminators we've seen at our various get togethers I have only seen one with the tick. It's not as prevalent a problem as people think.

 

[Blood on Blood]

My 03 Cobra (stock) w/ 6900 miles had the tick.

Fair Oaks Ford in Naperville, IL. replace the head under warranty w/out any issues.

Now at 10,000 miles I have a bad case of piston slap (Piece of Sh!t) and the car only has a k/n filter and catback...

Going back for more warranty work...

Bottom line, modify the car as remaining stock may not make a difference anyway.

Dave

 

[ChicagoMike]

I have the tick now. :headbang:

I thought it was a loose header. Nope. It was ticking a little in and out before the header install. Now it ticks all the time, high pitched like to metal balls tapping together.

I have the blue stripe on the head also.

Out of all the Terminators we've seen at our various get togethers I have only seen one with the tick. It's not as prevalent a problem as people think.

 

[Flyn]

I have the tick now. :headbang:

I thought it was a loose header. Nope. It was ticking a little in and out before the header install. Now it ticks all the time, high pitched like to metal balls tapping together.

I have the blue stripe on the head also.

Sorry to hear that, Mike.

 

[chris@svtspeed]

well at first ford was using the 04 heads now they have a all together new cylander head so if you have a 04 head and still have the tick go back and get the newest updated head.

 

[ChicagoMike]

Does anyone suggest a dealer for the head tick, such as sutton? I just pullied the car and everything. If it doesn't effect performance should I care?

 

[hj16]

some cars get the tick, some dont.

Exactly. People say its a early 03 problem. Ive heard plenty of summer 02 cars without the tick, people say the 04s got new fixed heads, yet I hear of people getting the tick with them.

Its hit or miss, and it doesnt affect performance at all.

 

[ChicagoMike]

Hey I look on the bright side of things. If it blows up or drops in power, then I will have an excuse blow some more money on "upgrades" h:

Sorry to hear that, Mike.

 

[Blood on Blood]

Does anyone suggest a dealer for the head tick, such as sutton? I just pullied the car and everything. If it doesn't effect performance should I care?

As stated earlier, Fair Oaks Ford in Naperville replaced the head on my 03 Cobra w/out any trouble. My car was stock....

I told them the symptoms, said it was probably valves associated w/ # 7 or #8 cylinders and stated there was a TSB on this issue. They simply called SVT and discussed the next steps, ordered/installed the new head. All under warranty.

Dave

 

[tmkr3]

Thanks for all the help guys. Now I undersand more about it.

 

[shanker]

I have #621 of '03 coupes and no tick. I think a lot of people get it mixed up with the noisey injecters and valve system.

I've also heard the the blue line just indicates that its a right side head.