3.8L question...

[85_Ranger4x4]

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.

No no

Do not wish for the 3.0 bell, go stand in the corner and think about what you just said.

Keep the RWD bell. Can use real transmissions (4R70W/M5ODR2) AND a SBF will drop right in when you get tired of sad V6 noises.

IIRC they did have a recall on the 4.2 for headgasket or intake gasket issues. I have never really been around one aside from harvesting a transmission from a 4.2 truck though.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

No no

Do not wish for the 3.0 bell, go stand in the corner and think about what you just said.

Keep the RWD bell. Can use real transmissions (4R70W/M5ODR2) AND a SBF will drop right in when you get tired of sad V6 noises.

IIRC they did have a recall on the 4.2 for headgasket or intake gasket issues. I have never really been around one aside from harvesting a transmission from a 4.2 truck though.

The 4.2 has kinda been on my radar a bit too. 97-03 Stick shift F150s with this engine seem to be a dime a dozen...espicially near and south of the mason dixon.

Obviously id rather have a 300 truck but as said before everyone thinks anything pre 96 is worth gold now. Shit you cant even find a decent bricknose for less then 3500.

I blame pawn stars and american pickers.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The 4.2 has kinda been on my radar a bit too. 97-03 Stick shift F150s with this engine seem to be a dime a dozen...espicially near and south of the mason dixon.

Obviously id rather have a 300 truck but as said before everyone thinks anything pre 96 is worth gold now. Shit you cant even find a decent bricknose for less then 3500.

I blame pawn stars and american pickers.

5spd 4wd's are hard to find... and the ones that do exist are stalked by RBV V8 swappers lol.

It took me a long time to track one down. I think most that went 4wd also go automatic.

Otherwise I really have no dreams of owning one... but if they had been used rather than say the 4.0 SOHC... drop in V8 swaps and not A4LD based transmissions sure sound nice.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

5spd 4wd's are hard to find... and the ones that do exist are stalked by RBV V8 swappers lol.

It took me a long time to track one down. I think most that went 4wd also go automatic.

Otherwise I really have no dreams of owning one... but if they had been used rather than say the 4.0 SOHC... drop in V8 swaps and not A4LD based transmissions sure sound nice.

What do you think these are...S10s? lol

 

[19Walt93]

The 3.8 came out about 1980 and I went to the new model technician training for it. The first year had conventional head gaskets with silicone everywhere else that caused a lot of leaks until gaskets were introduced. A 3.8 weighed 8 lbs more than a 2.3 and made considerably more power. We sold a pile of them in T Birds and LTDs, quite a few in Mustangs and a big handful in F100's with zero problems. Then they reworked the coolant flow to adapt them for front wheel drive applications and head gaskets died early and often. 3.8's worked great in Birds and LTDs and Mustangs, if they'd offered a manual transmission in 3.8 Mustangs it would have been even better. An F100 with a 3.8, 3 on the tree, and 2.75 gears was a barking dog in our hilly terrain. It's correct that the 4.2 was a stroker 3.8 and that they used the same bell housing as a 302, along with a 240, 250, 300, late 289, and 351C&W. If you have one and want to be different or if shaving weight is important a 3.8/4.2 might be a good swap. Since it would be about the same amount of work(and probably cheaper), I'd use a 302 or 351 instead.
The 3.8 has always looked a lot like the Buick V6 to me.