k-member question

[billy hicks]

went to start my 98 mark a while back,started right up,ran for about 5 seconds then just died,no pop's,bangs,or noises of any kind,just like I shut off the key.When I tried to restart it she turned over real slow and the starter sounded like it was really working hard.I checked the battery and starter,seemed ok but replaced starter anyway still cranked slow.Put a wrench on crank bolt and spun it by hand,it seemed ok and I didnt feel any tight spots while turning it,pulled valve covers and chains and cams all look suprisingly good for a 180 thousand mile motor,however checked compresion and found cyl's 2,3,and 4 made a whopping ''0'' lbs.Now for my question,I've decided to take everyones advice and drop engine out from the bottom,seems alot quicker and pretty strait forward,but I noticed the 8 k-member bolts have a ''star'' type head on them,do I need to get a special socket for these?Also,this car has spent it's life in northern Il. so I'm sure rust will be an issue on these bolts,has anyone ever had one of these nuts in the frame break loose and if so how did you fix it? Thanks in advance!

 

[foxlincoln]

cant remember what size it is but a metric 6-point socket fits the k-member bolts

 

[billy hicks]

thanks

 

[OxmanWI]

Way not from the top?

 

[BAD97LSC]

14 mm. the bolt is a reverse torx but a 14 mm 6 point socket fits it perfect.

 

[billy hicks]

From what I've read in the search section most seem to say it's quicker just to drop it out the bottom,my shop is set up so I can do it either way,I would be greatful for any advice on what way works best.And thanks for the bolt size info jamie.Depending on what I find when I get this thing out I'll most likely be in the market for a fair mileage used replacement in a month or so I could use some advice there too. Thanks guys

 

[BAD97LSC]

if you have a lift, put the car on the lift, unbolt the k member and lift the car up out of your way, you can leave the motor bolted right on the k member. just drop the whole thing front suspension and all. i never take them out the top either and i have taken about 1600 + motors out of mark VIII's!

 

[billy hicks]

out of those 1600 you would'nt have a good low mileage one left would you,HA HA.Anyway thanks again for the info,I'm no stranger to this stuff but this is my first time with a modular engine not to mention one in a mark.

 

[BAD97LSC]

only thing i got right now is a 94 motor complete with 130 k on it, it runs fine, this is the car its in.

i just sold a 98 motor from an lsc about a month ago with 73k it was mint, $550 bucks with the tranny. i'd sell this motor in my 94 for $275 you come get it!

 

[MsM8tress]

wow - my starting problems are petty compared to that!!!! I envy your shop at hand!!!

jamie- please tell me you made the wheel right on that lovely Chameleon.... you know that just hurts my brain to look at....

 

[billy hicks]

Ya know MsM8,at first I looked at it as a starting''problem''but now I look at it as a chance to make her new again.Back in 98 my ex wife gave me a choice,either a new mark or her,well,as I said ''EX'' wife,so this mark has alot of sentimental value to me!HA HA! Anyway I'm sure you'll get your problem fixxed and I just hope my black mark looks as good as your black one does when I'm done.

 

[BAD97LSC]

debi its rosemist not chamelion, and its stripped now, so your eyes would bleed if i showed it to you now!

 

[danny_holtermann]

my k-member was a 14mm 12 point socket

 

[BAD97LSC]

driveshaft bolts you need a 12 point but not the k member, a 6 point fits, its all i ever used!

 

[MsM8tress]

Ya know MsM8,at first I looked at it as a starting''problem''but now I look at it as a chance to make her new again.Back in 98 my ex wife gave me a choice,either a new mark or her,well,as I said ''EX'' wife,so this mark has alot of sentimental value to me!HA HA! Anyway I'm sure you'll get your problem fixxed and I just hope my black mark looks as good as your black one does when I'm done.

I feel ya, I've had to say goodbye to a few boyfriends myself over my Marks, here them tell I'm bonking everyone in LVC.

thank you and I am sure you will, especially at the rate you are moving!!!

jamie...stripped...are you serious...eyes are bleeding and CRYING!!! My stupid mistake, obvious rosemist - doink!

 

[billy hicks]

Hey Jamie,thanks for the offer on your 94 motor,but I'm going to look for something closer to home first,thanks anyway though.

 

[m_maker]

I'm going to look for something closer to home first,thanks anyway though.

What's your budget ? PM if you want a really low mile motor (16k) somewhat close to you.

 

[chicken]

the correct socket is a E18 inverted torx. dont be a cheep ass like jamie buy the $7 socket lol

 

[kustomizingkid]

A 6point 9/16" fits perfectly too...

 

[Icarus]

E18 socket is whats correct for the subframe bolts...

 

[kustomizingkid]

E18 socket is whats correct for the subframe bolts...

Blah blah blah... why waste the $$...

 

[Icarus]

I paid $7 for a set of 8 of 'em (different sizes), no big expense to do the job right and not worry about possibly stripping a bolt...

 

[BAD97LSC]

lol ok well for chicken and Icarus, i have never used a E18W399Lm90KY inverted torx, i have stripped about 1600 marks and i have the same 14 mm 6 point socket on every single one of them, so thats about 12,800 of those bolts and i have yet to strip one. chicken, i am far from a cheap ass when it comes to tools, you can see that by looking at my tool box, for a guy who doesnt fix cars for a living i have a bigger and better tool box that a lot of real mechanics, i just dont buy things i dont need, my socket works perfectly fine so why buy the inverted socket just to say, hey this is the right socket hrr hrr duhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ball licker

 

[MsM8tress]

.....i have stripped about 1600 marks.....

we are in the presence of the GRIM MUFFIN!!!!! dang jamie, no more killing marks, stick to your work muffins from now on!!!!

 

[marked8]