Maintenance Schedule '04 GT 4.6 (Tune Up)

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Limited40th2004

Active Member
#1
#1
Hi everyone,

Had my 04 GT with 54K on it for about a month now, and I want to know about what the best maintenance schedule is beyond the usual tire rotation, oil changes, and air filter. I have that covered, and it just got brakes and rotors at all four wheels. Here are the items I am asking about.

Service intervals for:

Spark plugs, Tranny Fluid (Manual), Differential fluid, Cooling System.

Occasionally it doesn't start on the first try, but then turns right over. Not a problem now, but I suspect a tuneup is in order soon.

Thanks for the input!!

Chuck
 
C

CaptainChaos

Well-Known Member
#2
#2
Only one I know for certain is the rear diff at 100K. Plugs (allegedly) 100K but I'm changing mine out anyway. I'm at 75K and have had mine since the end of October. Cooling system, I'd be on the safe side and get it done.

Trans fluid is easy enough to do. Over at svtperformance, they seem to like GM Synchromesh for the TR3650 5-speed we have. Problem is Synchromesh isn't cheap, so buy Pennzoil Synchromesh because it's the same as GM at a fraction of the price.

Mass air, throttle body cleaning, and fuel filter should be considered at this point. Since you just bought it, I'd recommend getting a good "baseline" so you know you're starting with fresh parts all around. Can't always account for its prior treatment.

Where in Orange are you?
 
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L

Limited40th2004

Active Member
#3
#3
CaptainChaos said:
Only one I know for certain is the rear diff at 100K. Plugs (allegedly) 100K but I'm changing mine out anyway. I'm at 75K and have had mine since the end of October. Cooling system, I'd be on the safe side and get it done.

Trans fluid is easy enough to do. Over at svtperformance, they seem to like GM Synchromesh for the TR3650 5-speed we have. Problem is Synchromesh isn't cheap, so buy Pennzoil Synchromesh because it's the same as GM at a fraction of the price.

Mass air, throttle body cleaning, and fuel filter should be considered at this point. Since you just bought it, I'd recommend getting a good "baseline" so you know you're starting with fresh parts all around. Can't always account for its prior treatment.

Where in Orange are you?
Click to expand...
Captain (if I may address you as such),

Thanks for the info..I was thinking a throttle body and coolant at a minimum. Going to do tranny as well. Good tip on the Pennzoil..can I do the throttle body myself? Can't be that hard, can it? Fuel filter is a must, no one ever thinks of that. Gonna let a pro do it.

I'm located in Goshen...you around here too?
 
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CaptainChaos

Well-Known Member
#4
#4
You can do the throttle body on your own, one of two ways- take the intake tube off and, while holding the throttle open, hit the backside (sparingly) of the throttle blade with carb cleaner and clean with a rag. Or- take it off altogether. Plan A is a little easier, though.

Fuel filter is doable on your own- lift up the back of the car- ramps or jack/stands. I like to pull the fuel pump fuse and run it until it dies to clear the line out (the filter will still hold some). Get the special tool to remove the lines from the filter (little plastic thing, can get it cheaply at AutoZone). The filter is a silver canister, center of car, between tank and rear bumper support. It may or may not have been changed previously. I just bought a Motorcraft filter to put in mine.

I'm in Cornwall on Hudson... silver GT with cross-drilled and slotted rotors and red calipers. (Blame the 65 year old original owner)
 
L

Limited40th2004

Active Member
#6
#6
Plan A sounds like the way to go, I figured it wouldn't be that involved. Thanks for the tip. Also, thanks for the link..visuals always help.

You think the red calipers and cross drilled rotors are bad? Before I bought this one, I looked at an '08 convertible and the clown that owned that had 22 inch wheels (all pitted) and put cheesy red aftermarket 4.6 stickers on the hood scoop and on the decklid.

I'm more of an original/stock type guy and the one I bought was just about perfect, and more exclusive. The interior was almost identical to the '95 5.0 convertible I bought new back in 1994. It was like going home...same notchy cold shifting. Just wish I had the $$ to get a decent beater so I could garage this one.

Thanks again for the help....can't wait for the first spring cruise.

Chuck
 
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CaptainChaos

Well-Known Member
#7
#7
Limited40th2004 said:
Plan A sounds like the way to go, I figured it wouldn't be that involved. Thanks for the tip. Also, thanks for the link..visuals always help.

You think the red calipers and cross drilled rotors are bad? Before I bought this one, I looked at an '08 convertible and the clown that owned that had 22 inch wheels (all pitted) and put cheesy red aftermarket 4.6 stickers on the hood scoop and on the decklid.

I'm more of an original/stock type guy and the one I bought was just about perfect, and more exclusive. The interior was almost identical to the '95 5.0 convertible I bought new back in 1994. It was like going home...same notchy cold shifting. Just wish I had the $$ to get a decent beater so I could garage this one.

Thanks again for the help....can't wait for the first spring cruise.

Chuck
Click to expand...
Sometimes, there's just no accounting for taste, you know? That poor 08...

I'm just going to repaint the calipers satin black for- you guessed it- a more "stock" appearance. You'll notice the brakes are a little more stout on your 04 vs the 95 (I come from a 97 myself) because the newer one has twin-piston front calipers.

My taste is stock with tasteful tweaks. Bonus points for tweaks that most people would assume to be stock (subtle).

Consider joining the Mustang Club of Orange County?
mustangcluboforangecounty.org
 
L

Limited40th2004

Active Member
#8
#8
Stock with tasteful tweaks is actually the way to go. Just make it more personal without going overboard is something I prefer as well. I'm working on some cosmetic personalization.

Just put in a really nice non-slip trunk mat (the stuff I had back there was moving around when I drive) from www.latemodelrestoration.com which is a great website.

I am also replacing the hood insulation, because it is a little tattered, complete with the factory pony logo on it. My anniversary model has a great interior (needs nothing) so I am leaving it as is...the original owner took good care of it and had the original 40th anniversary mats.

Will eventually put in a K& N intake, but I am going to do the maintenance I told you about before I do that. My gold bullitt wheels have some pitting around the edges (no doubt from a tire shop that didn't realize that you put the weights on the inside). I have to address that as well, as you can't get the gold ones anywhere, and it is way less expensive than trying to find replacements. Going to upgrade the factory bulbs on the headlights to SilverStar as well. All cheap things, but I feel they will make a huge difference.
 
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Limited40th2004

Active Member
#9
#9
Checked out the link for the Orange County club and am all over that. I went to download the registration form and I got an error message. How do I join? I really want to get involved in something local. I saw a membership page and the different packages, what's the difference between them besides the length/price?
 
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CaptainChaos

Well-Known Member
#10
#10
Really that's most of what it comes down to, price, length, and some complimentary goodies based on how long you sign up for (Tshirt, stickers, etc)

If you want, send me your e-mail via private message, and I'll get in touch with the guys if you're unable to sign up via the website
 
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Limited40th2004

Active Member
#11
#11
I signed up today for the $80 1 yr membership package (online), and I am having the package shipped to my home address. Is there anything else to do? I would like to post pics of my ride on the site and correspond with other members, etc.
 
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CaptainChaos

Well-Known Member
#12
#12
Just got in touch with the MCOC webmaster on Facebook. He's on fairly regularly, so hopefully you'll hear from him soon about getting your car on the site. For now, there's nothing really to do but wait for the package to arrive in the mail.

Also, MCOC is on Facebook- if you are- search for us and join the page.
 
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