Thanks everyone for all of your help. Ford hasn't broken it down yet, but we went to look at it again. The crank pulley(?) down at the bottom doesn't line up anymore with the other pulleys. In fact it looks like it moved forward about 2 inches and we can move it when we push on it just a little bit. My husband said that when it let go it was the most horrible sound - banging and clanging real fast then total silence. The mechanic there said that it just doesn't look good.
Believe me when I say that this has been the worst 24 hours I have had in many years. We needed to make a decision and it has not been an easy one. We sat down and did a "pros and cons" list for a rebuild/new motor. I mean we took everything into consideration - time, money, family situation, you name it. And it does sadden me to say that we will be selling the monster to some friends of ours who have the time, money, and know-how to bring it back to life. I know a lot of you will think we're crazy for selling, but we have really thought this thru. Other things were starting to act up with it recently - steering rack was starting to creak and groan, the clutch (even though not giving us probs yet) is still original-when will that let go. Our monster gave us 11 years of fun and excitement. I knew that one of these days it would eventually breathe its last. I just didn't want it to happen so soon. Hopefully the new owners will enjoy it also.
Again, thanks folks for your advice.
|