Questions concerning the 3.8l block

[Stung01]

Hello, I'm new here and a mustang newb in general, in need of some advice. I have a '01 3.8l mustang gifted to me by my now deceased brother in law. The engine in it is blown (not exactly sure what the problem with it was/no way to find out now). I have a older model 3.8l long block with a distributor (complete wiring harness and transmission) rather than coil packs as the 01. I'm curios to know if it may be possible to swap the older model engine into the car and what I would need to replace from the 01. I know that they had a new intake starting in 01, the wiring harness is different and it's probably a long shot but maybe I can get some information into what the block differences and what not would be, or if it would even be possible. I would assume it would need the intake and heads swapped but I'm not sure what else. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Money is tight but it's a project. Would it be feasible or would it be a better idea to try and sell the older engine as is and find a newer one to swap out. The transmission in the 01 is fine as far as I know. Any help/advice would again be greatly appreciated

 

[wmburns]

Here's some information that might help.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2001/09/rebuilding-the-ford-3-8l-engine/
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2008/03/rebuilding-the-3-8l-buick-engine/

I can promise you that trying to use the old wiring harness is a BAD idea. The only chance of success is to make the new motor look like the old electrically.

As for sample prices for a whole salvage yard motor try car-part.com.