pastorjeep
Member
Ok, so I bought this from the original owner with 219K miles for a couple hundo because it was doing the 2nd gear bog and had a multi cyl misfire. It was clean in and out with rear seats looking unused. Did the valve body rebuild and the trans is shifting great. The plug wells all had moisture in them with the 4/8 full of water. New sp546 and cop's and she runs great. Took a 3 hr drive yesterday and it was maintaining ECT 190% on scan tool, cats were at 1250/1400, in 95 degree weather. Was pleasantly surprised at the "good" fuel mileage! Lol. Couple things left to do to get it just right for her. Clean/polish headlight lenses, replace turn light switch, fix drivers door molding, and find the clicking in rear a/c. It does the clicking when I adjust fan speed not when adjust temp or flow location? All are basic things that come up on any search (except the fan speed noise) so should be simple fixes. The PO said the engine has never had chains/phasers and right now it is quiet and running smooth. Though we have had a hot rough idle a couple times, it goes away. After the rough idle it will code p0420/430 so it will need the whole bullet proofing. Just not sure I want to put the money in a vehicle this old. I can do the work,but now we are looking to get her a third gen since she likes this one so much. Full disclosure we have six kids and she has been driving a E150 for years. So this thing drives like a dream to her! Two questions...what is better about the 3rd Gen, and could I get away with chains and oil pump since the phasers are quiet and the PO was religious about oil changes?