3.8 liter same as 4.0 liter?

[ShadowdogKGB]

Great forum here. Thanks all for your help. The local machine shop here has a 3.8 liter short block that was never picked up by the customer so now they're stuck with it. The guy said they'd let it go cheap. I've already got new heads for my 4.0 coming from them and was wondering if they'd fit on the 3.8. And would the intake and electrical stuff be the same or close to it?

 

[Redtrac01]

Ford didn't make a 3.8. GM did, so that's probably not going to work.

 

[SensRanger]

Ford didn't make a 3.8. GM did, so that's probably not going to work.

I don't think that is correct. Isn't the 3.8L a common engine in the old Taurus?? The one with the head gasket issues.

 

[mrboyle]

Ford did make a 3.8L (it was used in Mustangs, T-Birds, Cougars, etc.....) but is is an entirely different engine from the 4.0L. The only engine the 4.0L has anything in common with is the 2.9L (Ranger/BII engine).

 

[Redtrac01]

I stand corrected. They did have a 3.8L in the wagon. It looks kind of whimpy, and I doubt the parts are interchangeable.

 

[lilbeefy]

the 3.8 was common in the taurus, t- bird, cougar and a few minivans. I had a 85 cougar with the 3.8 and I swear it would blow a head gasket once every 45 thousand miles, ended up putting in a 351 windsor in it. Sold it about 4 years ago and now I miss that thing.

 

[Jason94sport]

The 3.8 was in many ford cars as well as Lincoln cars in the late 80's to mid 90's. I had a 94 continental with the 3.8L.

 

[ShadowdogKGB]

Roger that. I guess that nixes that idea. I have another question about my 4.0 liter though. It's got 165,000 miles on it. I've got the block sitting on a bench in the garage. Is it possible to replace the connecting rod bearings with new ones without having it machined?

 

[parksdiesel]

i have a blower off a 3.8 t bird wondering if i can put it on my 4.0

 

[seth247]

to the bearing question: I don't believe bearing reacement will require machining. But I'm no expert. Get a haynes manual to be sure. It descibes all necisary steps.

The blower: this should be and eaton m90 if it cam off a Tbird. It has adequet output for he 4.0 but will require custom intake and bracket fabrication.

They used to sell kits. Not anymore ibeleive.

 

[seth247]

the 3.8 was common in the taurus, t- bird, cougar and a few minivans. I had a 85 cougar with the 3.8 and I swear it would blow a head gasket once every 45 thousand miles, ended up putting in a 351 windsor in it. Sold it about 4 years ago and now I miss that thing.

Moral of the lesson: NEVER SELL A KICK ASS CAR! Cuase you will regret it.