Looking for Advice - General Precautions

[M Gower]

Is there a comprehensive list of things to watch out for and precautions to take for technicians that are not necessarily Ford GT certified mechanics?

 

[extrap]

Is there a comprehensive list of things to watch out for and precautions to take for technicians that are not necessarily Ford GT certified mechanics?

Yes, the list is just 1 item long: 1) Don't let them touch it! Do it yourself or take it to one of the well known garages that know what they're doing.

 

[fjpikul]

Number one, you can't buy parts at Ford without giving them a VIN number. Number 2, buy a service manual and read your owners manual. Number 3, SEARCH can be your friend on this Forum. Put Bridgestone tires, change ojl, brake and clutch fluid and coolant. Absolutely make sure your battery is in top shape or there will probably be gauge problems. Don't ignore this. If you are unsure, replace the battery and keep it on charger all the time.

 

[texas mongrel]

And drive it - the more you do that, the fewer problems you'll have

 

[Tomcat]

Find a local GT owner and buy him/her lunch/beer and pick his brain. Things come up like don't push the start button until the odometer is reading numbers, leave the air mix door in the warmest setting, pop the clam shell after a run to vent the heat (warped trim pieces), etc...

 

[twobjshelbys]

Service manual were published by a third party on paper and cd and are no longer in stock. they show up on ebay. If you have a shop they are also on Fords subscription service

 

[M Gower]

Number one, you can't buy parts at Ford without giving them a VIN number. Number 2, buy a service manual and read your owners manual. Number 3, SEARCH can be your friend on this Forum. Put Bridgestone tires, change ojl, brake and clutch fluid and coolant. Absolutely make sure your battery is in top shape or there will probably be gauge problems. Don't gnore this. If you are unsure, replace the battery and keep it on charger all the time.

The things you have enumerated are exactly what I am having done. The battery thing baffles me. What is it about this car that drains the battery so quickly? I have multiple collector cars, some with modern electronics, and they don't drain the battery like my GT.

 

[twobjshelbys]

The things you have enumerated are exactly what I am having done. The battery thing baffles me. What is it about this car that drains the battery so quickly? I have multiple collector cars, some with modern electronics, and they don't drain the battery like my GT.

It doesn't drain quickly. Batteries don't fail early; mine lasted almost 6 years but i kept it on a tender. it's just the electronics are sensitive to low voltage, which happens to be above the starters... so car can start and run but gauges aren't initialized. if gauges are not working and your battery isn't new, replacing it before spending a bunch of money on gauges is a good move especially since you'll probably need a new a battery soon anyway

 

[fjpikul]

There are a couple owners in Idaho but they don't frequent this Forum much anymore. I know NGTs are sent to Seattle for warranty work. When you bleed the clutch, there are two bleed valves. One on the firewall and one down low on the passenger side. Just make sure you have ALL the right fluids, cause rookies buy the wrong stuff.

 

[PeteK]

What everyone else said, and with emphasis on driving it regularly. The ones that have the most problems are the ones that don't get driven. I'm at 90,000+ miles and no problems, other than maintenance, or me bumping stuff.

If you are in western Idaho, a member here, Ed (HighHP) is in Spokane and has very good knowledge. He's a freindly guy, and I'm sure he'd chat with you over lunch or whatever.

If you need services and can't find someone close to you, Rob Henderson (GT@50) in Issaquah, WA, owns a transmission shop where he works on GT's. He services many of the GT's in Seattle.