Just picked up a 2003 V6 with a rod knocking.

kilgorq

Member
Jul 19, 2006
77
1
8
Boise Idaho
I just picked up a 2003 Convertible with a rod knocking. It is the 3.8 V6. I also have a good SBF 5.0 out of a 2000 explorer laying around that I was going to sale. I know the 5.0 will bolt right up to the transmission and will fit. I think I would have to change the exhaust, harness, and reprogram the ECU.

Has anyone done a swap like this and what kind of headaches will be involved?

I know this is a matter of opinion but I am want to hear what people think.
Is it worth it?
Will it help or hurt the resale value?
Would I be better off just fixing the V6?

I am not planning on keeping the car. I bought for parts then started looking at it closer and do not think it is a doner car. It is too nice to just part out. I already own 5 cars and do not need another one. So I am think of turning it for profit.

It needs a top, drives door panel, engine, and a good cleaning.

It is a fairly clean 2003 with 158K miles on it. I picked it up for a very good price.
 

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Since your gonna flip it don't go threw all the headaches of a swap. Replace the bearings and send it on down the line.Next!
 
I picked up a used V6 for it.
I am getting ready to pull the motor and could not find the radiator cap. It does not appear to have one. I cannot find a spot where one would have been. What I am missing here. I looked on the internet and most have one on the radiator. This does not and it does not look like it ever had one. Is there a reservoir missing?
 

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Is that part of the radiator? Mine does not have a neck on the radiator. I think it probably had a separate reservoir mounted in the engine compartment but I am only seeing that on the 4.6 cars. Maybe someone put a V8 Radiator in it.

Something Like this.
 

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Is that part of the radiator? Mine does not have a neck on the radiator. I think it probably had a separate reservoir mounted in the engine compartment but I am only seeing that on the 4.6 cars. Maybe someone put a V8 Radiator in it.

Something Like this.
Yeah, the 3.8 cars had the filler on the radiator.