Hey guys-

I posted a thread a few weeks back when my motor threw a rod, w/ just a 6lb lower, diablo chip, and cold air intake. Have made many phone calls and found out that all 2002's (lighnings and harleys) buit between february and may are subject to recall, and that over 20 have thrown the 3rd rod (rear passenger side), some w/ major mods and some with no mods at all. Ford is trying to keep the problem quiet, but have been standing behind the blown motors...many even that arrived at the dealership with mods still on them. So all you lucky 99 and 00 drivers count your blessings, as you are all aware that those trucks contained stronger rods. Ford has fixed the problem with th 03's, so my 02 lightning is now getting an 03 motor at ford's expense. Anyone with 02 harleys or lightnings, either replace your rods with stronger ones, or go to the dealership and demand the recall. It'll save you a lot of heartache in the end. One harley blew with just cat back exhaust and new plugs...

 

 

whatabout the 01's?

 

no kidding



let's see, crapper intercooler vs. weak rods.. DAMN!

 

Do you have any information on the recall like a TSB or anything?

Ken

 

No word on the 01's having problems, but they do have the same rods and overall setup that the 02's do. Just figured I'd try to help you guys become aware of this as many of you responded to my post. Stray from the feb. thru march 02's if you are looking to buy a used one, and quite honestly, the 99's and 00's are the most solid and even a little over-built- definitely the ones to tune as I have come to realize.

 

--Joe

 

Ken-

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is a TSB? The more you tell me the more I can hopefully tell you, it's been a long few weeks.

 

Kegger, thanks for that important info. Bob

 

TSB= Technical Service Bulletin. It will have a number asigned to it. If this is an official Ford response it will either have a TSB# or Recall#.

So you are getting a new motor with no hassel from the dealer?

 

A TSB is technical service bulletin.
every "recognized" problem or recall gets a TSB
number. That is how the service departments pull up the problem.
Skuter99.

 

My 02 True Blue was built in the middle of May.
HOPEFULLY I just missed the problem.
cross my fingers!
Thanks for the info.
skuter99

 

there is no such TSB.

 

Ford is not admitting it as an official recall, they are just crossing their fingers and taking care of the problems as they arise. Trying to keep it quiet since the Lightning is their poster car and that motor is so highly touted. They did not give me a tsb, but it first went to a non-svt dealer who said they would replace the motor, but then svt didn't give them permission to as they weren't licensed. It then got towed to the nearest svt dealership and their tech is pulling it apart with all intentions of replacing the motor under warranty. They just want to confirm that it is that 3rd rod, and then may even send the motor to ford, from what they've told me. They had another lightning in ahead of mine that needed a new motor as well, but none of the service guys are admitting to an actual recall, just trying to keep it as quiet as possible. A bunch of B.S. if you ask me, but atleast they are acknowledging it and taking care of it, as they do honestly know the problem exists.

 

I wonder why the 99-00 rods are so much stronger? There has only been a handful of 99-00 L's who have thrown rods and most of them who did were running extremely high boost levels or nitrous. My cousin 10secL is running a 5# lower with a 100hp shot and has not had the 1st problem with his motor. Makes you wonder how much boost and nitrous the 99-00 rods can take? Sure would make me feel better if I knew!