Chris Kidd - Cam Failure #700 & #736

New 6/14/06, 9/3/06

Not sure if you got this information yet:
Chris Kidd
Fort Smith, Arkansas

VIN-1FALP54NXTA2
Failed at 100,100 miles on May 5, 2006
Purchased 2004 with 60,163
Failed at startup.
Rest of the story:
Okay, I know it's been a while since I posted about anything that concerned the car we all love and drive (snicker, snicker) but as I was driving by the dyno shop today I spotted the mid section of a Taurus with 17" wheels and then as the rear came into view realized it was a '96 so I whipped a U-turn and pulled in. Turns out the guy figured I was some sort of snob since he said he had left a couple of cards on my wipers with his name and number trying to get in touch with me. The guy at the dyno shop kept telling him about mine but he said there is "no he could believe that would be even remotely possible".

Larry and Tim, I will get his information later today or tomorrow since he had a cam failure and was real shocked when he took it to the same dealer I did and they told him it was a "bad lifter". I am not sure where he had it rebuilt at but he got the cam welded at Scamardo Fabricating, a machine shop right across the street from where I had mine done at. He is really psyched still about the car even after enduring that and has done some minor mods besides the wheels including removal of all the cats and addition of Flowmaster Delta's. So if he signs up please take it easy on Chris Kidd, he is a fan and knows about the cams, though he only has the one that failed welded he does have plans to get the other three done.

9/3/06

Tammy and I were at a big Cherokee Indian festival (Trail of Tears holiday) in Oklahoma today when I got a panicked call Chris Kidd, the owner of the '96 ES with the Lime Green motor that had one of the rear cams welded late last year when he heard them rattling. He neglected to have the other rear or both of the front cams done since he was told by Ford "it is a rare occurrence to well cared for cars" which he and the dealer considered his to be.

He said his wife was driving since he is still unable to due to his fractured vertebrae and is taking pain meds but could tell when it started running real rough. When they pulled into his driveway it quit and would not start again. He thought the odd noise was a rod or bearing of some sort. I dropped by his house on our return and the car started right up but didn't want to idle and sounded like a very sick Allis-Chalmers. Chris had already removed the appearance cover and tried to keep it running long enough for me to step out to witness the coolant pump not turning while the engine was stumbling. Needless to say, he is less then thrilled with his situation as he has only one car and as a painter with a broken back is not employed at the moment. The first time it gave him notice with the unmistakable "rattle" but this time no warning, just "snap-boom"

VIN-1FALP54NXTA2
Second failure, this time front bank at 132,100 miles on Aug. 2, 2006
Purchased 2004 with 60,163

Carter Fuji

Sounds like you were in the right place Carter. Trail of Tears for the v8 SHO cams. Too bad about the advice from Ford. Could have taken care of everything at once. Sorry Chris :(

Louis

To borrow a phrase from Eric - Huh! Just checking the cam failure links, Chris was unlucky #700. First failure was May 5 of this year. Second cam lasts just 3 months longer.

My sympathies to Chris.

Brad Bender

Contact Information