Engine New Here, Need Quick Information.

mdavidson101 · Sep 2, 2012

Just picked up a 1997 3.8, 5 speed car. It's got a bad head gasket or cracked head along with a bent rod or two. What I need to know is what parts are interchangeable between the 3.8? I know I need a crank along with rods and probably pistons, and heads. What other 3.8s can I swap from? Or is the 4.2 crank, rods, pistons the way to go for the bottom? Then what would I need for the top end? I don't have much money to spend on new and I'm mostly looking into junkyard parts or complete motors. I'm mechanically inclined to do all the work(besides machining) and I need this done ASAP. Any help is appreciated.

BlownFiveLiter · Sep 2, 2012

Pick up a complete engine. You'd have more invested in machine work on the bad engine than you could likely pick up a used engine for.

mdavidson101 · Sep 2, 2012

96-98 is the same correct? Or is it possible to find another year motor and swap most of my parts over onto it? I would like to use as many as my parts as possible.

g96v6-250k · Sep 3, 2012

mdavidson101 said:
96-98 is the same correct? Or is it possible to find another year motor and swap most of my parts over onto it? I would like to use as many as my parts as possible.

i think the same years windstar, ranger, tbird 3.8 internals are all the same as the stang. heads/block may not be. i would guess later 80s-98 is all the same. best to find a 94-98
dont quote me on this. if you want a tough crank find a tbird supercoupe engine for the crank which is the only one thats forged.
when my 3.8 blew the headgaskets it filled # 3 piston with coolant and didnt hurt any rods ,bearings or the crank. it was spraying coolant like mad right out the tailpipe. it happen on cold start about 5 seconds after it turned over and i only let it run for a minute. after i replaced hgs a 02 sensor was silicone fouled which scared me because it was running like untill that was changed. if they get wet with coolant they are proably shot. maybe you can torch it really good to fix it.

mdavidson101 · Sep 3, 2012

I know its either the head or the gasket because you can fill it full of water and then pump the upper radiator hose and it will push water right out of the spsark plug hole. I didnt think the windstars were the same because of the front wheel drive, and arent the sane years split-port injection? I would guess that the ranger and tbird would be the same, If I used my intake/accesories.

g96v6-250k · Sep 4, 2012

mdavidson101 said:
I know its either the head or the gasket because you can fill it full of water and then pump the upper radiator hose and it will push water right out of the spsark plug hole. I didnt think the windstars were the same because of the front wheel drive, and arent the sane years split-port injection? I would guess that the ranger and tbird would be the same, If I used my intake/accesories.

i would tear the heads off and see if the pistons/ heads are ok. if it was not run long everything might be fine. here is a site that explains all the differences over the years. http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Item/2393/rebuilding_the_ford_38l_engine.aspx

N8Dogg98 · Sep 4, 2012

BlownFiveLiter said:
Pick up a complete engine. You'd have more invested in machine work on the bad engine than you could likely pick up a used engine for.

+1... in fact, it could be an opportunity to upgrade to a V-8 if you're interested. Under 100K mile SOHC engines sell for $500-$1000 all day long.

mdavidson101 · Sep 5, 2012

N8Dogg98 said:
+1... in fact, it could be an opportunity to upgrade to a V-8 if you're interested. Under 100K mile SOHC engines sell for $500-$1000 all day long.

Thats not an option, I bought the car for my ol lady, I don't want her in a v8 yet.

g96v6-250k said:
i would tear the heads off and see if the pistons/ heads are ok. if it was not run long everything might be fine. here is a site that explains all the differences over the years. http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Item/2393/rebuilding_the_ford_38l_engine.aspx

Reading through that I'm still not sure about one thing, If I happen to find a 2000 rwd motor, can I take my intake of my existing motor and be able to use it? instead of having to use the split port intake?

g96v6-250k · Sep 7, 2012

i would think they did it the cheapest way possibly which would be same bolt hole location. either way changing manifold shouldnt be a big hassle. go to the junk yard and check the rangers, tbird ,explorers. i have a 91 tbird 3.8 wtih what appears to be the same lower and upper intake as my 96 mustang. if you want i can verify the bolt pattern is exactly the same.

mdavidson101 · Sep 8, 2012

Not necessary. I picked up a complete motor from a 97 mustang. Got a good deal on it. Now I'm in the ballpark to put it in.

Engine New Here, Need Quick Information.

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