3.8L question...

[rusty ol ranger]

Which (or all) Ford 3.8s are known for head gaskets blowing left and right?

 

[JohnnyO]

All of them as far as I recall. Happened on my 1991 Lincoln Continental at a little over 100k. Dealer service department said they were surprised it lasted that long. My son's old 2000 Mustang also had a 3.8 but we never had any head gasket problems and he drove it until about 2018 with 138k on it. There were periods when it was stored while he was in college and grad school. When he started working he lived in the city and usually took the bus to work so the Mustang still didn't average a lot of miles per year. Possibly the later models were better.

 

[Roert42]

I’ve never heard of issues with them. My 2000 mustang did not have head gasket issues, it had the original set up until I pulled the engine out.

4.2l was the same engine stroked out. I know a few people that have had them in minivans and F150s without any issues.

 

[Snoranger]

All of them to some extent. The Supercoupe guys found that ARP studs and the 4.2l head gaskets were the hot ticket, but that was years ago. There’s probably better option out there now. I really haven’t kept up much since I sold off my Supercoupe.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Gotcha.

I was just curious....if this vic dont work out ive been finding alot of pretty nice 80s Tbirds around.

Ideally id like a 302....but those cost more lol

 

[Snoranger]

I believe it was more common in the FWD version. I did a lot of Taurus head gaskets back in the day.

I also got my Supercoupe with only 46k miles and it had blown head gaskets.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I believe it was more common in the FWD version. I did a lot of Taurus head gaskets back in the day.

I also got my Supercoupe with only 46k miles and it had blown head gaskets.

Ive seen a few SCs....but they are even higher priced then the 302.

Id like something 79 or earlier but everyone thinks they are worth gold now.

 

[JohnnyO]

I believe it was more common in the FWD version. I did a lot of Taurus head gaskets back in the day.

I also got my Supercoupe with only 46k miles and it had blown head gaskets.

My old Lincoln was FWD. Kind of a puffed-up Taurus with air suspension. Nice car though.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My old Lincoln was FWD. Kind of a puffed-up Taurus with air suspension. Nice car

I like the Marks. Obviously not same car lol

Didnt they run the 4.6 in the continental too? Or am i mistaken?

 

[JohnnyO]

I like the Marks. Obviously not same car lol

Didnt they run the 4.6 in the continental too? Or am i mistaken?

Just the Town Car, not the Continental.

 

[Snoranger]

I like the Marks. Obviously not same car lol

Didnt they run the 4.6 in the continental too? Or am i mistaken?

I think so, starting in 95.

 

[pjtoledo]

and it had the FWD bell housing pattern.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I had a '91 town car for a while, that thing was a dumb sleeper, if I wasn't dumb and poor at the time it would have been a blast to do dumb thinks with... don't judge too much, whisky was involved tonight, that 4.6 was a good time in the 6 months I had it and never in my name...

 

[arse_sidewards]

It's a shame they never put the 4.2 in the Ranger. Would've been really east to do, just use the FWD block with the 3.0 bell.