I don't mean to be a debbie downer, but aren't northstars only limited to pretty much 100k miles? Don't they normally die of a fatal thread flaw that is next to impossible to repair?

Early as in pre 2001 very much so but usually after suffering from overheating. Other than the overheating/headbolt snapping/head warpages they see average engine life. Northstar technology addressed alot of the issues associated with all aluminum engines as they went along so the later models hold up better but still not overheating resilient. One other downside is they use a steel liner in the bore and all the valve parts are coated for tighter clearances, so rebuilding isn't really a good option. If you have a good one, keep it cool and lubricated, no problems.

Another bad idea was the limp home mode that allowed opposing cylinders to fire, then pump air. Although this was done to help owners with the known overheating problem, it usually sealed the engine with a death warrant if it was activated. Most engines are trash after being allowed to run in this mode.

I'm a n00b, what do you mean by keeping it cool and lubricated? Keep an eye on the cooling system and keeping what lubricated? Sorry if I'm wandering off topic, but I'm compelled to ask.

usually the heads wont warp/ pull bolts if not overheated, its that the cooling system for them is not effecien t enough for them in my opnion, usually the water pump will start leaking alittle and thats enough by it self to overheat a n*, once you over heat it it'* done for. mine went i estimate 200,000+ miles on it. (miles were cut ).

this project is starting again tomorrow, but while moving it from the garage today it wasmissing pretty bad and since the engine is already toast i reved it in park at like 4500 for 10 secs, then boom. my mom was on the porch and saw it, she said she saw flames shoot out of the mufflers with a mouse house laying on fire behind the car lol but engine will not turn over now, cheacked oil it got gas, water , some oil all mixed up , so pretty sure she seized.

i've read that back in the day, some journalists purposely caused a N* car to enter camel mode, drove it like that for at least 50+ miles and it lasted many beatings after that and still ran normally...

only works well on newer motors?

im with venom on this one, every one ive heard of died shortly after

Ok so now I'm curious, does this all apply to the 4.6 in 2003? My aunt just paid $8000 for an '03 Deville with 30K on the odometer, and grandpa isn't too thrilled because he is worried about the repair bills when it starts to get older...

silversurfer on 2001+ northstars it'* pretty uncommon to have headgasket failure, from the three years on a northstar forum ive heard of one 2001+ have pulled heads.but the cam sensors are known to go out. tell him not to worry lol

I think most of the problem is he is a die-hard Ford fan...he was mad she went from a Taurus to a Deville...and a nice one too...only thing it didn't have was a sunroof...Good to hear it should be a good car for her....

didnt get to really work on it today,cleaning the garage was a bigger task than expected, i did get it pulled in tho ready for tomorrow