What are the differences?

[EMB1230]

FWD vs RWD 3.0 & 3.8. I know for one that the 3.0 intake is rotated 180 degrees and that they used different head gaskets and cooling systems are slightly different.

 

[feellnfroggy]

more than just the intake, the whole dang motor is different, intake, motor mounts, water passages etc. the block is mounted sideways as opposed to the 3.8 There are FWD and RWD 3.0's and FWD/RWD 3.8's What exactly are you trying to do? SOme parts swap, just not the entire motors.

 

[Mac]

The 3.8 as found in the Mustang? It's basically the 5.0L missing two cylinders from what I remember.
Dave

 

[EMB1230]

The 3.8 as found in the Mustang? It's basically the 5.0L missing two cylinders from what I remember.
Dave

Actually, that is just a myth. the Ford 3.8 was a copy of the GM Buick 3.8

 

[trail B2]

I've read that a 3.8 in a mustang has a 5.0 bell housing pattern but the taurus bell housing is different.

 

[tbirdsps]

The 3.8 is a copy of the Buick 3.8 but just not as good. It was the first Ford engine with an external oil pump. It's called Essex.

The 3.0 Duratec is actually a much better engine. There is no relationship between the two.

I'm not sure if the Ranger 3.0 is similar to the 3.0 engines in the Taurus or Contour or any other FWD car it was used in. In general sideways engines cannot be installed in RWD vehicles mainly due to the intake and exhaust set ups.

 

[AllanD]

FWD vs RWD 3.0 & 3.8. I know for one that the 3.0 intake is rotated 180 degrees and that they used different head gaskets and cooling systems are slightly different.

On a FWD 3.0 the internal differences ammount to the head gaskets.

The upper intake is more or less the same the lower is completely different.
Obviously the exhaust manifolds, accessory brackets and oil pan are also different.

but the "tall block" (excepting those pesky gaskets) is the same.
BOTH FWD & RWD use the same bell pattern

Motor mounts and crap like that really don't count.

On the 3.8 FWD VS RWD the differences are a bit deeper...

Calling it a 5.0 with two cylinders lopped off are a gross over-simplification
The bellhousing pattern of the RWD is not the same as the 5.0/5.8 (& 4.9)

The FWD 3.8 blocks share the bellhousing of the 3.0

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The 3.8 as found in the Mustang? It's basically the 5.0L missing two cylinders from what I remember.
Dave

They have a different bore and stroke.

If you do the math it is close to the same displacement per cylinder, but even that isn't exact.

 

[EMB1230]

The 3.8 is a copy of the Buick 3.8 but just not as good. It was the first Ford engine with an external oil pump. It's called Essex.

The 3.0 Duratec is actually a much better engine. There is no relationship between the two.

I'm not sure if the Ranger 3.0 is similar to the 3.0 engines in the Taurus or Contour or any other FWD car it was used in. In general sideways engines cannot be installed in RWD vehicles mainly due to the intake and exhaust set ups.

The Countour was a 2.5 Duratec. The Vulcan in FWD applications was used, in the Taurus, Tempo, Probe and Windstar. in RWD apps, Aerostar and Ranger. But that's what's funny, the 3.8's intake retained the same orientation it had in RWD cars that it did in FWD cars.

 

[tbirdsps]

The Countour was a 2.5 Duratec. The Vulcan in FWD applications was used, in the Taurus, Tempo, Probe and Windstar. in RWD apps, Aerostar and Ranger. But that's what's funny, the 3.8's intake retained the same orientation it had in RWD cars that it did in FWD cars.

Thanks, I knew I screwed up the name.

Now they have Coyote 5.0's. I'm so confused. In any case I wouldn't spend the time to swap in a 3.8. It's just not a great engine. Headgaskets tend to blow although the new gaskets help and the timing gear/chain wear faster than in other engines and the early carbed and CFI engines just don't produce much power.

 

[Snoranger]

The bellhousing pattern of the RWD is not the same as the 5.0/5.8 (& 4.9)

You sure on that one? One of my Supercoupe transmissions has been behind a 3.8l S/C, a 3.8l RWD, and a 5.0l. The original S/C motor had a hole in the block when I got the car, I tossed a 3.8l RWD engine in to get to work for a few weeks, then swapped in my 5.0l. I never changed the trans and the M5OD-xx, as we all know, doesnt have a removable bell housing.

 

[FordFanatic93]

The 3.8L's are good motors IMO, depending on how well you maintain them. Change your oil regularly, and make sure your cooling system is good. If the engine overheats, bye bye headgaskets.