• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

3.8 vs 4.0L


stevenf

New Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2008
Messages
110
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Transmission
Automatic
I have a chance to take a 3.8L out of a mustang. Guy said it doesnt run but I plan on doing a compression test before I take it out. I can have the computer, the harness and the engine.
What are these things compared to 4.0L? If it gets rebuilt, would a bore make it a 4.0L or it would have to be stroked? Is it worth the trouble?
 


85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,195
Reaction score
17,502
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
The 3.8 is about the same size (aside from length), if you are going to go thru that much work you might as well go with a V-8. The 3.8 will require the same tranny as a 302 as well, they have the same bellhousing bolt pattern.

That is a lot of work for a V-6 that loves to eat intake manifold gaskets and burn antifreeze IMO.

The OHV 4.0 and 3.8 is probably about comparable powerwise.
 

woodyedmiston

Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2007
Messages
456
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Texas
Vehicle Year
99
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_8_Conversion.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/summer2008/2_9-to_5_0-Swap.htm
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html

Welcome to TRS. Any one of the sites above (From the TRS Technical Library) will "splain" things to you. But - the logical progression that would make one think that the 3.8 is just a slightly smaller 4.0 is flawed. There are two families here - 2.9. 3.0 and 4.0 OHV engines went into Bronco II, Aerostars, Rangers and Explorers. The 3.8 and the 4.2 that shows up in the Aerostar, T-Bird, Mustang and F150 truck are very different engines. Your profile does not indicate what vehicle you have now - the 3.8 might make a good swap into something . . . but there are better choices if you are working with a Ranger.
 

Psychopete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
3,201
Reaction score
29
Points
48
Location
FW, IN
Transmission
Automatic
There are two families here - 2.9. 3.0 and 4.0 OHV engines went into Bronco II, Aerostars, Rangers and Explorers.
FWIW, 2.6,2.8,2.9,4.0 OHV engines are the same family. The 3.0L is it's own, but from what I understand FWD 3.8Ls like in a Taurus have the vulcan bellhousing pattern. Same w/ the 2.3L/2.5L HSC engine. My Tempo had the option of the 3.0L V6, and would be a fun engine in that little of a car :).

Edit - Here:
Vulcan V6 pattern
2.3/2.5L HSC FWD I4
3.0L Vulcan V6 (FWD and RWD)
3.0/3.2L SHO V6
3.8L Canadian Essex 90° V6 (FWD only)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_bellhousing_patterns

Pete
 

canyoncritter

New Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
1,274
Reaction score
6
Points
0
Location
San Diego
Vehicle Year
1952,1991,1992
Make / Model
Willys,Ford,Jee
Transmission
Manual
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar90134.htm

give you a over all of what in a 3.8

a 3.8 is pretty much a 351(5.8) with 2 cylinders wacked off and on a metric scale....
this gave was very helpfull to me about 8 years ago when looking for 3.8 parts to run it with a carb set up.
http://www.moranav6racing.com/

these guys also have lots of parts
http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/

if you looking for power, sohc motor would be the way to go for being as bolt in as posible,and Ive been told you can get those in to the 250hp ranger with out internal work.....
 

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,919
Reaction score
4,317
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
i thought the 3.8 was a 302 less 2 cylinders (the way a 4.3 g.m. is a 350 less 2) you might as well go with a 302, though a 4.0 is about as much engine with less weight and would be alot less trouble.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,195
Reaction score
17,502
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
i thought the 3.8 was a 302 less 2 cylinders (the way a 4.3 g.m. is a 350 less 2) you might as well go with a 302, though a 4.0 is about as much engine with less weight and would be alot less trouble.
No, the 302 had 4" bore with 3" stroke, the 351W had 4" bore and 3.5" stroke.

The 3.8 had a 3.8" bore and 3.38" stroke, they are not related.
 

Psychopete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
3,201
Reaction score
29
Points
48
Location
FW, IN
Transmission
Automatic
No, the 302 had 4" bore with 3" stroke, the 351W had 4" bore and 3.5" stroke.

The 3.8 had a 3.8" bore and 3.38" stroke, they are not related.
I am not sure where that came from (RWD bellhousing?), but it won't die. It's crazy how easy it is for people to simply look this stuff up, IMO.

From Wikipedia:

"The Canadian Essex's origins are somewhat controversial. A common, but erroneous, belief is that the Essex was based on the 5.0 L Windsor V8 engine, due to the fact that they both have a 90° vee configuration, are OHV, and that a 5.0 L V8 less two cylinders would make a V6 displacing around 3.8 liters. Though the practice of deriving a V6 from a V8 wasn't unheard of (auto manufacturers have derived V6s from V8 designs before, such as GM with the Vortec 4300 and Chrysler with the Magnum 3.9), several important differences between the Windsor's design and the Essex's, such as their considerably different bore and stroke, made a common design lineage implausible."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Essex_V6_engine_(Canadian)

Pete
 

rickcdewitt

New Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2007
Messages
2,075
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
nor-cal
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
4-0 swap
Transmission
Manual
the 3.8 would need to have a bunch of custom work done to use it just like a 302 swap.

the 4.0 actually bolts in -in every aspect
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top