sailsmen
12-09-2007, 11:33 PM
Picked the Marauder up on my birthday new in 2003. That night I backed out of my driveway to go to a meeting about racing boats in a Regional event. It was a pitch black night, wet from raining during the day.
I turn onto a commercial street and immediately hear a pop followed by a series of thuds. I realize I have a flat. Fortunately only a few blocks from home. I change to the spare in my driveway and drop the tire off at Goodyear on the way to work. Goodyear calls to say they cannot not fix it.
When I ask why the manager is hesitant and says we have only seen a hole like that from a gun shot. I call the dealer and they agree to sell me a new one at cost.
I stop by the gun range on the way home that was down the street from where I got shot. I ask if there were any reports of accidental discharges and he says no. a customer who owned a tire store who I have bought tires from ask to see the wheel. I bring it in and he says it was caused by a bullet. I speculate that someone dropped their gun while putting it in the trunk.
In talking to a client he says bring it by we can make a plug for it. The dealer agrees to take back the new unused wheel. The plug worked but it would slowly loose pressure. I eventually replaced.
I joined MercuryMarauder.Net and determined I wanted to go faster. The memories of the muscle car days began to return.
This was when there was no S/C, Turbo or Nitrous being used on Marauders.
On 5-14-03 with 2,500 miles I went to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. There were two other Marauders there and another one showed up from Georgia. With 2,500 miles I had a Chip, Under Drive Pulleys, 4:10 Gears, Lower Thermostat and Colder Plugs.
The Marauder came alive! Six months latter I was at the track with a first time WOT pass of 14.554! Surprised a lot of people at the track starting with the Time Shack Attendant. My best time with this set up was 14.274.
On 3-5-04 with 20,257 miles I went to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. KVR front brakes, Cobra Exhaust, PI 3,000 TQ, Trans Built w/ Deep Pan, Dyno Tune and Rear Head Cooling. My best time with this set up was 13.74. I am now a high 13 second car, faster than most muscle cars of yore. I am getting a lot of attention at the track.
On 3-25-05 with 42,882 miles and 96 runs down the 1,320’ I went to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. Water to Air Vortec SQ Trim, SS Brake Lines, Boost, FP & Oil Pressure Gauges and up the PI to 3,500.
On 7-18-2006 with 64,283 I tow her on a Uhaul to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. When she was in storage the battery went flat and the tune became corrupted. All attempts to fix by email and shipping a tuner were futile. Dennis flashed it back to stock and put it on the dyno. With in a few pulls she developed the same HP as 20,000+ miles a go.
The spider gears were chipped and replaced along with the defective soft axels.
About 6 months ago I began to notice a faint sound from the engine. It seemed to be linked to a certain rpm so I assumed it was exhaust.
The twin cobra fuel pumps went out. Upon picking her up from the local shop L&L, after having twin Ford GT pumps, the faint noise was no longer faint.
With 95,000 miles and 184 runs down the 1,320’, of which 126 or 68.47% were wins, I decided a new engine was needed. I researched, spoke to others who had done the same.
I always said when she went I would replace her with another Marauder engine. Why change what has served me so well? Unfortunately the market for Marauder engines is very limited. There was a supply a couple of years ago but no more.
After advising Dennis Reinhart that I was looking for something that I could drive 20K per year, race 40 times per year and expect to last 3 years. Dennis Reinhart suggested I consider a Cobra Reman.
I figured Ford built the car and the first engine that served me well, stick with what works. As a benefit it comes with a 3 year 75K warranty!
On 11-30-07 with 95,000 I drive her to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. ’04 Cobra Reman, Upgrade to Vortec T Trim, 60lb injectors and Mustang GT MAF.
It’s not the car it’s the Human Beings. I have met so many admirers at the track. Some have become friends. Unknown to me I used to race boats against the track owner’s wife No Problem, where I race.
A friend whose Chargers we used to hop up in HS heard me talking about the Marauder and bought a 1962 Impala SS 409 4bbl 4Spd. He raced it at the track with me and the Marauder.
I became good friends with 2 guys who live near me and work in the same industry as me, Drobin and Shijack. I have also become friends with several human beings on this board.
My sister asked me to be Batman for my nephew’s birthday.
Driving to Dennis Reinhart’s shop the Friday before Katrina and driving his Marauder back the same day only to evacuate the next day will never be forgotten, ( Wells Fargo Living History Link http://blog.wellsfargo.com/GuidedByHistory/2006/06/surving_katrina_and_rita.html) .
Going to Gainesville, FL ( thread link http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=21306 ) to race a few days after Katrina had devastated the area I live in was surreal.
The experiences the ownership of this Marauder has brought me cannot not be purchased.
I turn onto a commercial street and immediately hear a pop followed by a series of thuds. I realize I have a flat. Fortunately only a few blocks from home. I change to the spare in my driveway and drop the tire off at Goodyear on the way to work. Goodyear calls to say they cannot not fix it.
When I ask why the manager is hesitant and says we have only seen a hole like that from a gun shot. I call the dealer and they agree to sell me a new one at cost.
I stop by the gun range on the way home that was down the street from where I got shot. I ask if there were any reports of accidental discharges and he says no. a customer who owned a tire store who I have bought tires from ask to see the wheel. I bring it in and he says it was caused by a bullet. I speculate that someone dropped their gun while putting it in the trunk.
In talking to a client he says bring it by we can make a plug for it. The dealer agrees to take back the new unused wheel. The plug worked but it would slowly loose pressure. I eventually replaced.
I joined MercuryMarauder.Net and determined I wanted to go faster. The memories of the muscle car days began to return.
This was when there was no S/C, Turbo or Nitrous being used on Marauders.
On 5-14-03 with 2,500 miles I went to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. There were two other Marauders there and another one showed up from Georgia. With 2,500 miles I had a Chip, Under Drive Pulleys, 4:10 Gears, Lower Thermostat and Colder Plugs.
The Marauder came alive! Six months latter I was at the track with a first time WOT pass of 14.554! Surprised a lot of people at the track starting with the Time Shack Attendant. My best time with this set up was 14.274.
On 3-5-04 with 20,257 miles I went to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. KVR front brakes, Cobra Exhaust, PI 3,000 TQ, Trans Built w/ Deep Pan, Dyno Tune and Rear Head Cooling. My best time with this set up was 13.74. I am now a high 13 second car, faster than most muscle cars of yore. I am getting a lot of attention at the track.
On 3-25-05 with 42,882 miles and 96 runs down the 1,320’ I went to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. Water to Air Vortec SQ Trim, SS Brake Lines, Boost, FP & Oil Pressure Gauges and up the PI to 3,500.
On 7-18-2006 with 64,283 I tow her on a Uhaul to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. When she was in storage the battery went flat and the tune became corrupted. All attempts to fix by email and shipping a tuner were futile. Dennis flashed it back to stock and put it on the dyno. With in a few pulls she developed the same HP as 20,000+ miles a go.
The spider gears were chipped and replaced along with the defective soft axels.
About 6 months ago I began to notice a faint sound from the engine. It seemed to be linked to a certain rpm so I assumed it was exhaust.
The twin cobra fuel pumps went out. Upon picking her up from the local shop L&L, after having twin Ford GT pumps, the faint noise was no longer faint.
With 95,000 miles and 184 runs down the 1,320’, of which 126 or 68.47% were wins, I decided a new engine was needed. I researched, spoke to others who had done the same.
I always said when she went I would replace her with another Marauder engine. Why change what has served me so well? Unfortunately the market for Marauder engines is very limited. There was a supply a couple of years ago but no more.
After advising Dennis Reinhart that I was looking for something that I could drive 20K per year, race 40 times per year and expect to last 3 years. Dennis Reinhart suggested I consider a Cobra Reman.
I figured Ford built the car and the first engine that served me well, stick with what works. As a benefit it comes with a 3 year 75K warranty!
On 11-30-07 with 95,000 I drive her to Dennis Reinhart’s shop. ’04 Cobra Reman, Upgrade to Vortec T Trim, 60lb injectors and Mustang GT MAF.
It’s not the car it’s the Human Beings. I have met so many admirers at the track. Some have become friends. Unknown to me I used to race boats against the track owner’s wife No Problem, where I race.
A friend whose Chargers we used to hop up in HS heard me talking about the Marauder and bought a 1962 Impala SS 409 4bbl 4Spd. He raced it at the track with me and the Marauder.
I became good friends with 2 guys who live near me and work in the same industry as me, Drobin and Shijack. I have also become friends with several human beings on this board.
My sister asked me to be Batman for my nephew’s birthday.
Driving to Dennis Reinhart’s shop the Friday before Katrina and driving his Marauder back the same day only to evacuate the next day will never be forgotten, ( Wells Fargo Living History Link http://blog.wellsfargo.com/GuidedByHistory/2006/06/surving_katrina_and_rita.html) .
Going to Gainesville, FL ( thread link http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=21306 ) to race a few days after Katrina had devastated the area I live in was surreal.
The experiences the ownership of this Marauder has brought me cannot not be purchased.