3.8 V6 Mustang Head Gasket

[nice00ford]

My brother's 94 Mustang with the 3.8 V6 has recently started acting up, using all kinds of water and what not, and needs to be filled about every day. Bought it from an old guy that took real good care of it about 2 months ago with only 70,000 original miles. Been looking around and saw that this looks to be a fairly common problem with Mustangs of this year with the V6, blowing the head gaskets and what not. Anybody have this problem? I'm sure the warranty is long gone, so he'll probably have to get it replaced if that's the problem or do it himself. Anybody else experience this problem? If so, do you have any idea how hard it is to replace the gaskets? We're somewhat mechanically inclined, but if it's gonna be a huge job I don't want to tackle it in case I mess up or something. Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[feellnfroggy]

My brother's 94 Mustang with the 3.8 V6 has recently started acting up, using all kinds of water and what not, and needs to be filled about every day. Bought it from an old guy that took real good care of it about 2 months ago with only 70,000 original miles. Been looking around and saw that this looks to be a fairly common problem with Mustangs of this year with the V6, blowing the head gaskets and what not. Anybody have this problem? I'm sure the warranty is long gone, so he'll probably have to get it replaced if that's the problem or do it himself. Anybody else experience this problem? If so, do you have any idea how hard it is to replace the gaskets? We're somewhat mechanically inclined, but if it's gonna be a huge job I don't want to tackle it in case I mess up or something. Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys.

Its a pushrod motor, so you need valve knowledge. I never had an overheating problem with mine, IT had 84k before I took water to the intake. Check out 3.8mustang.com and v6power.net For everything you need about hte v6 mustang. Dont let the assholes get to you, and thats most of them. But with the proper search there is a wealth of knowledge.

Edit:: SInce you are removing the heads anyways. I would start searching junkyards for a v6 supercoupe thinderbird and install the eaton supercharger and supercoupe heads.

 

[nice00ford]

Ok, we'll look into that. How much of a pain is it to pull off the heads then, and is there a certain brand of gasket that's better than another?

 

[feellnfroggy]

NO just stick with fel- pro or OEM. The heads, if I remember correctly have to have the valves removed to remove the heads. I could be wrong though, Ive only ever done head gaskets on over head cam vehicles. Check out those websites and you'll find everything you need for the Essex motor.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

NO just stick with fel- pro or OEM. The heads, if I remember correctly have to have the valves removed to remove the heads. I could be wrong though, Ive only ever done head gaskets on over head cam vehicles. Check out those websites and you'll find everything you need for the Essex motor.

How do you remove the valves with the heads still on the engine? Never done a 3.8 but I have never heard of doing anything to the valves when pulling a head until after the head is off the engine... and even then that is only if there was a problem with the valves in the first place.

They had a design flaw the headgaskets on the 3.8/4.2 engines for awhile, they have an improved headgasket out now that is supposed to be better.