Any data to support which is the most reliable, trouble-free v6 engine? I would really like a new Mustang (probably won't get one for reasons discussed in another post) and choosing between a 04 and 05 partly involves choosing between these motors. Any help appreciated.
Ford 3.8 OHV vs. Ford 4.0 SOHC....
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Well I know the older 3.8's (late80's-early 90's) had some Head Gasket issues but I think that has been addressed. Not too sure on the 4.0 SOHC, but I will say that I drove a 04 Merc Mountaineer with AWD and that 4.0 moved it very well so I can only imagine what it would do in a Stang. Good luck to ya, they are both very nice cars.
Eric
Eric
Why not get into a Mustang??? Ford has really hit a Home-run with the new Mustang!!
The problem with the 4.0L is that it is/was mainly used in the explorers and rangers, and therefore it has been primarily a "truck" motor and in the mustang, it acts like it. Motortrend's recent article hit the nail's head on the 4.0L in the new Mustang...its a great motor, but it runs like a truck motor.
I've owned several versions of the 4.0L ford motor, and all have served me very well with out hiccups for beyond 200k on each motor. My wifes '02 Explorer has the 4.0L SOHC and it flat out hauls tail, but it really runs outta steam over 80 mph, but I would attribute this to aerodynamics and transmission design.
The 3.8L....I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole, way too many head gasket issues.
The 4.0l is one of Ford's best motors, IMO, alot of miles have been logged in Rangers and Explorers having this motor.
IMO, you really should consider getting into a GT as the price difference is not that great between the 4.0L and the 4.6L. Trust me, you will be much happier with the GT.
If you are serious about getting a new Mustang, and don't mind a bit of a road trip from your location, shoot me an email and I'll point you towards a deal that will be hard to turn down.
[ December 21, 2004, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: 02supercrew ]
The problem with the 4.0L is that it is/was mainly used in the explorers and rangers, and therefore it has been primarily a "truck" motor and in the mustang, it acts like it. Motortrend's recent article hit the nail's head on the 4.0L in the new Mustang...its a great motor, but it runs like a truck motor.
I've owned several versions of the 4.0L ford motor, and all have served me very well with out hiccups for beyond 200k on each motor. My wifes '02 Explorer has the 4.0L SOHC and it flat out hauls tail, but it really runs outta steam over 80 mph, but I would attribute this to aerodynamics and transmission design.
The 3.8L....I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole, way too many head gasket issues.
The 4.0l is one of Ford's best motors, IMO, alot of miles have been logged in Rangers and Explorers having this motor.
IMO, you really should consider getting into a GT as the price difference is not that great between the 4.0L and the 4.6L. Trust me, you will be much happier with the GT.
If you are serious about getting a new Mustang, and don't mind a bit of a road trip from your location, shoot me an email and I'll point you towards a deal that will be hard to turn down.
[ December 21, 2004, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: 02supercrew ]
I've worked in Ford parts not all that long ago. The 3.8L is one of Ford's most unreliable and most expensive to fix. Upper intake gaskets, front cover gaskets...expensive to replace and we replaced a TON of them. By comparison, the 3.0L OHV V6 always had a good layer of dust on the intake gaskets we had in stock. And the engine isn't that fuel efficient. It's a design that Ford must regret putting to market.
As proof, my dad's 95 3.8L Sable had the upper intake and head gaskets replaced last year only to have a rod thrown less than a couple weeks later. Too much coolant in the oil weakened the bearings.
I've seen only one 3.8L (in a 97 Tbird) go more than 150K without needing any gaskets replaced. I think there's a guy on here with the 4.2L derivative in an F150 with over 100K. That makes two.
Stick with the 4.0L. You'll be a bunch happier.
As proof, my dad's 95 3.8L Sable had the upper intake and head gaskets replaced last year only to have a rod thrown less than a couple weeks later. Too much coolant in the oil weakened the bearings.
I've seen only one 3.8L (in a 97 Tbird) go more than 150K without needing any gaskets replaced. I think there's a guy on here with the 4.2L derivative in an F150 with over 100K. That makes two.
Stick with the 4.0L. You'll be a bunch happier.
Thanks for the replies. The reason I'm looking at a V6 is money and insurance. I am not a fast driver so the V6/manual would deliver all the power I need for a lot less money and lower insurance, taxes, etc.
The four-liter motor has been around since the early sixties (in 3.9 L trim) in Europe. It was originally a push rod motor before being converted to a SOHC. It is known to be reliable, but crude, as others have discussed here.
Thanks for the replies. I have decided to wait until next spring and see if Ford offers any rebates on the 05 stang with the 4.0 engine. I would love to have a 4.6L GT but even the 04's are priced too high for my tatse and I will not buy a used performance car.
I think most of the bad press on the 3.8 is very old. My parents have had three Windstars with the 3.8. 96, 00, and 02. Total of about 250,000 or so on the three and they've never had a single engine problem. They even use NAPA(valvoline) oil for ~6,000 miles and I doubt they have ever changed the coolant in any of them.
The 4.0 worries me in the latest form, it's the loudest engine I've ever heard at startup.
-T
The 4.0 worries me in the latest form, it's the loudest engine I've ever heard at startup.
-T
The car I learned to drive on was a 1990 Lincoln Continental. Basically a stretched, luxurious taurus. Had the 3.8L. My parents got rid of it at 137k in 1999 (head gasket and NUMEROUS other problems). No power, not terrible mileage by itself, but for 140hp, it wasn't good.
Friend of mine has a 94 Taurus wagon with the 3.8L. It had the head gaskets replaced once and the car has around 128k now.
Finally, the last summer job I had, a co-worker had a mid-90s T-bird with the 3.8L. I remember it having over 100k and I asked how his head gaskets were doing. He told me "no problems!" I said "well, they're going to fail." He told me not to jinx him. About a month or two later, what do you know...
I know more 3.8L ford vehicles personally that have puked head gaskets, than not. Yes this is anecdotal, but it IS a very well documented and widespread problem. Nobody is making a mountain out of a molehill. The problem IS a mountain.
Friend of mine has a 94 Taurus wagon with the 3.8L. It had the head gaskets replaced once and the car has around 128k now.
Finally, the last summer job I had, a co-worker had a mid-90s T-bird with the 3.8L. I remember it having over 100k and I asked how his head gaskets were doing. He told me "no problems!" I said "well, they're going to fail." He told me not to jinx him. About a month or two later, what do you know...
I know more 3.8L ford vehicles personally that have puked head gaskets, than not. Yes this is anecdotal, but it IS a very well documented and widespread problem. Nobody is making a mountain out of a molehill. The problem IS a mountain.
Well it's possible they corrected the problem. Or maybe it's less of a problem anyway. But why risk it? The drivability and NVH characteristics of Ford's 3.8L are at the very bottom of the pack. There are so many better choices, even within Ford.
the 3.8(now 3.9) 4.2 head gasket should be behind us and if yours wasn't fixed under the replacment program you got screwed . Because a company bean counter tried (did) save about 2 bucks a engine (I'am told he's no longer with the co.) the rep of that motor suffered and the resale tanked,if a bent rod was caused by the head gasket failure a new motor should of been installed(we ran O/T to build them).The not funny part if it happen to you is the guys on the plant floor were very leary of that change when we saw it,said it wouldn't work. but who listened when $$$$ are to be saved looks good on those @#$%^&.Sorry ranting.
i have a 2005 mustang 4.0 v6. i want to put the supercharger off of a 3.8 v6 thunderbird. will this work if so what all mods would i have to do? any suggestions
thanks
thanks
Originally Posted By: 2005v6
i have a 2005 mustang 4.0 v6. i want to put the supercharger off of a 3.8 v6 thunderbird. will this work if so what all mods would i have to do? any suggestions
thanks
Lots of machine work.
The Essex 3.8 is a 90° V6 that looks like more of a Buick 231 copy than anything else Ford ever made (oil pump is integrated in the timing cover like a Buick). The SOHC 4.0 is a 60° V6 based on the 40 year old German Ford Cologne V6. AFAIK, Nothing will interchange between the two.
i have a 2005 mustang 4.0 v6. i want to put the supercharger off of a 3.8 v6 thunderbird. will this work if so what all mods would i have to do? any suggestions
thanks
Lots of machine work.
The Essex 3.8 is a 90° V6 that looks like more of a Buick 231 copy than anything else Ford ever made (oil pump is integrated in the timing cover like a Buick). The SOHC 4.0 is a 60° V6 based on the 40 year old German Ford Cologne V6. AFAIK, Nothing will interchange between the two.
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