Help!

[Abella]

im generally pretty good with cars but this one stumped me and freaked me out because i am broke and this is my only car. i own a 2002 ford mustang 3.8l v6 i think it is the essex motor, its what ever is stock. it ran fine it had an intermittent chirping sound and i thought it was a cam sensor or idler pully. well this morning when i turn it on now it is a loud screech and i have no clue what it is. i took the serp belt off and turned the car on (only for a few seconds) to eliminate the idler pully and any acsessory pully. but it remains it sounds like its coming from the back of the motor but im not sure. i checked oil level and pressure and its fine. ive only had this car for about a month. ive done only minor maintnance to the motor so i dont know much about it. please help.

a list of what ive done since ive gotten it and the problems ive had.
Problems: when i got it missfiring in cylendar 1(replaced plugs fixed)
shuttering at take off(changed oil, went to full synth, and changed serp belt fixed)
replaced fuel filter and a couple of fuses but thats about it

[wizwrath]

Is it only when you turn the engine over? Possibly starter motor/flywheel.....is it constant hen engine running? If it is, is it a standard trans? If it is, check the clutch assembly (pilot bearing, etc.)

[Abella]

yeah that is actually what i originally thought it was was the clutch throw out bearing but its all the time so i took it to a local mom and pop tranny shop to confirm and they said it was the clutch as well, so i went out an bought a new flywheel and clutch kit and main seal figured might as well take care of everything while im back there now i am just trying to do it with out taking the cat backs off because the midpipe is frozen to the rest of the exaust and i plan on putting a new one on so i dont want to f**k it up and have to put money into it just to last till i put thrush glass packs and x pipes on there

[wizwrath]

Oh wow, How did it get the exhaust get "frozen" together like that?? Is it stuck together from the header collectors and to the catback system? Can you spray some lubricating penetration fluid and soak it for a while?? Then try and pry it apart? Dont forget to also change your throw out bearing and check your pivot ball and fork assembly too.

[Abella]

Originally Posted by wizwrath

Oh wow, How did it get the exhaust get "frozen" together like that?? Is it stuck together from the header collectors and to the catback system? Can you spray some lubricating penetration fluid and soak it for a while?? Then try and pry it apart? Dont forget to also change your throw out bearing and check your pivot ball and fork assembly too.

yeah im replacing everything main seal all clutch parts that come with the 7pc kit i bought new flywheel. it just rusted to get her from getting hot its the bolts that hold it on that are frozen and my tools are limited, even if i did have the tools to cut them out i dont want to have to spend the money because i dont want that exaust anyway and you are correct its where the catback connects to the headers, part of the reason that its rusty is because its right under the air conditioner run off if already had to fix an exaust leak because the cat back fell off on one side because it rusted through but the rest off the underside of the car is fine except the drive shaft which is also seized up (bolts) but same im putting a new drive shaft and rear diff this spring aluminum and 4.13gr

[wizwrath]

wow dude....thats rough....if you want to safe some bucks, what we do is strip off the bolts (to the collectors) and then if you want to, take off the headers and then remove the bolts from the flange/collector and then just use new bolts and washers, etc. I really think getting the trans out with the exhaust still together is going to be a tough one....if you take all the hassle's and time to try and go around the exhaust, you couldve just re-do the bolts, etc. for the collectors.

[Abella]

Originally Posted by wizwrath

wow dude....thats rough....if you want to safe some bucks, what we do is strip off the bolts (to the collectors) and then if you want to, take off the headers and then remove the bolts from the flange/collector and then just use new bolts and washers, etc. I really think getting the trans out with the exhaust still together is going to be a tough one....if you take all the hassle's and time to try and go around the exhaust, you couldve just re-do the bolts, etc. for the collectors.

yeah well my grandfather is coming this weekend to help me and hes like my hero he will know exactly what to do it will be something off the beatin path like turpentine and pinesol eats throught rust lol yeah so im going to see what he can do and then im trying to sell the rear part to a 460 system because it doesnt fit with my car and subs so idk after that i mught just take it to the shop because i want new x pipes and thrush glass packs maybe new headers but i dont have any idea what kind of headers to get im new to the mustang world ive worked on trucks and tractors all my life so all of this is alittle new to me, on my truck i had all the space in the world to work on anything there was no such thing as a hard to remove part

[wizwrath]

I think you would be more then happy with standard replacement aftermarket shorty style headers, keep in mind you pretty much get what you pay for, but you can go with some MAC, BBK etc. But with your modular style motor, the headers wont give you any more horsepower (until you do a blower, etc.), the H/X pipe and cat back is a better investment as the sound is better. You may want to look into a tuner (SCT, etc.) when you do the exhaust and a cold air intake too.

[Abella]

Originally Posted by wizwrath

I think you would be more then happy with standard replacement aftermarket shorty style headers, keep in mind you pretty much get what you pay for, but you can go with some MAC, BBK etc. But with your modular style motor, the headers wont give you any more horsepower (until you do a blower, etc.), the H/X pipe and cat back is a better investment as the sound is better. You may want to look into a tuner (SCT, etc.) when you do the exhaust and a cold air intake too.

yeah its all as i get money im getting custom x pipes that go with my stock cats i wanted it all new but no one around here will remove the cats and i dont know if i really want them removed because CEL's make me nervous even if it is just and o2 sensor. yeah i havent decided on headers yet but im getting these for it by next spring
http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-wing2.html
http://www.americanmuscle.com/frp-79...riveshaft.html
http://www.americanmuscle.com/hurst-...er-chrome.html
http://www.cipherauto.com/Racing-Sea...FYbrKgodFl244Q
http://www.americanmuscle.com/bbk-70...y-01-04v6.html
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...RPFILTAMS_____
these are the things i want to get on it by spring and im thinking about camming it by summer, i want more but its so hard to find upgrades for the v6 but im young and dont want to pay v8 premiums.
ive thought about tuners but ive worked on older cars all my life and i dont know much about that tech or i would probably get one unfortunately i know the most about cars out of all the people i know besides my grandfather and hes about stock all day so i really dont have anybody to teach me these things