Hi Newbie here.

Does anyone know whether a 1998 R Reg mondeo would have a blacktop or silver top zetec. It is a 2.0l.

Thanks in advance

1998 was the change over year I believe, so it could be either

I've got a 1998 and its a silvertop.

+ its for sale if anyones interested £90 ono

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=33921

I have a 99 Black Top and though that this was the change over year. I am sure that 98 was Silvertop.

My tin-top is a '98 Mondeo, registered in September.
It has the "black top" Zetec-E with solid lifters..

Was built on the cusp of the changover

my 98 spec zetec is a black top.

Because its a R reg its late 97 early 98 - so i would say theres more chance of it being a silvertop

98 R is earley 98 (R reg ran 97/98) so will almost definitely be a silvertop

Hope you don't mind a jump in on this post. But wondered which one of these is better and why - I assume one is better than the other ?

Romer

do a search..but summary

silvertops - hydraulic cam lifters, thinner bores between 2&3, bare metal pistons, one piece ali sump, 1.8 water pump runs off front of the aux drive belt.

blacktops - solid lifters, supposedly more meat between 2&3, teflon-lined pistons, 2 piece ali and steel sump, water pump always runs off the back of the aux drive belt.

blacktops are supposedly good for 10bhp more than silvertops but have a few more complications (e.g. waterpump)

More thorough details here

Stephen