The open deck block is cheaper and easier to make (bean counter effect) and cooling is better.

 

I don't understand why 2.3 ecoboost mustangs do not seem to have these headgasket issues.

 

^ this.

and 4g63 ftw ~20yrs of development by the end of the run

 

Don’t act like you were ever pulling for it.

This, I agree with.

That’s just Mishi. Lotsa early toes in the pond on projects, but don’t dive in on them all.

Dang, son! Nemsin gotta nemsin and hit this car with full bore hate at every opportunity, two years going strong. Maybe read the OP’s Jalopnik link before going hog wild on the replies for context?

They used a different head for the RS, and from the evidence, it’s definitely the culprit.

Having said that, back to the part we agree with. the HG thing made this car a non-starter for me. I needed a hatch, but wanted one I could do basic mods on while having hope of reliability. The RS doesn’t fit the bill, unfortunately.

 

Actually, when I first heard it might come to the US I was excited. Its only once the details, and shortcomings, came into focus that I turned bitter. It 'could' have been something special https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escort_RS_Cosworth

 

I see what you did there.

 

It is Ford. You came in with your hopes way too high, and got your heart crushed. We understand...

 

Did Ford Install The Wrong Head Gaskets On The Focus RS?

David Tracy
Today 1:20pmFiled to: FORD FOCUS RS
23.9K
118
7

For many months, Ford Focus RS owners around the globe have been freaking out about head gasket failures. The issue has led many to believe that Ford screwed up its gasket design, but in recent weeks Road And Track posed a different theory: the gasket wasn’t flawed, per se; it was just the wrong part. I looked into the issue too and this is what I found...


https://jalopnik.com/did-ford-instal...-rs-1821665968

 

I think of the 2.5 L Subaru engine - finally redesigned in 2011. Somewhere between 60 and who knows the head gaskets would let go. Plane the heads and use one of two after market head gaskets all was good thereafter. The Subaru gaskets were crap.

 

sounds awful

 

These cars are starting to get cheap. Low 30's with low mileage at dealers...lol

 

Bought mine new RS2 for 36k, 16mi on the clock last August

 

I have been driving it like it was meant to be since I hit 1k mi. I love how tail happy it performs. No issues with the gasket but will make sure to post if it happens lol

 

Mute point now the RS is dead from what I’ve heard. Ford announced its discontinuing it and the Fiesta ST in the US.

 

awesome. there's a lot to like about the car, been really thinking about picking one up used on the market but the HG issue is scaring me off for the time being