Rebuilding a 3.8 March 04, 2006, 12:13:33 PM Hey guys...haven't been around much lately. I've been checking in from time - to - time, but not much time to do anything over the 'cold' months. I've picked up a small oil leak, and with 181,000+ miles and no prior history on the car, I figure it's about time to get serious with it.Anyway, I'm considering rebuilding my 3.8 and would appreciate a little advice. You guys are the experts, and haven't led me wrong yet. I haven't much experience with engines, and got most from my Cougar, but I am wondering if this is realistically something I should be messing with. I hate the thought of spending a fortune on labor at a shop, but not sure if it wouldn't be worth it. It's a bit intimidating to think about. I won't be alone, with my brother's help and experience, but still not very confident. What do you think??I will be 'beefing' it up a little with duals and Mustang shorty's, machine work to the heads, will bore it out, etc., but don't want to swap in a 5.0 as my son will probably be driving it in about a year. I'm also considering rebuilding a 3.8 and replacing this one since the car is my daily driver, but having trouble finding another locally. The junk yard told me about $150.00 for a rebuildable one. Is this reasonable? Does anyone have one to sell local? I'm in the Louisville KY area.Thanks for the help and patience...Dave Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #1 – March 04, 2006, 09:34:56 PM Man just drive it! I've got 237k and I got my car at a s yard. Saved from the jaws of the crusher. And I don't know a thing about its history. Seriously though, 150 is not bad for a rebuildable core that you don't have to spend all afternoon pulling yourself. I personally would rebuild another motor to not take down your daily. The mods that you mentioned will liven the 3.8 to make it a peppy little engine. I would reconsider boring out the motor. Probably not needed and you could save alot of money! Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #2 – March 05, 2006, 09:28:31 AM Thanks....It's pretty strong, but figured I should look into it while I have the money. Dave Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #3 – March 05, 2006, 06:48:22 PM Rebuilding an engine isnt difficult. Rebuilding one properly is. If you do rebuild on, take the block and rotating assembly to a machine shop, have them bore the block as little as it needs to be, have them go over and resize the rods, polish the crank, and order some new pistons, rings, bearings, etc. Have them assemble the pistons and rods, but take the rest home and assemble that yourself. That will save you some money. Just be sure to have a nice torque wrench, and a manual with the torque specs.Quote from: 87 3.8 CATI will be 'beefing' it up a little with duals and Mustang shorty's, machine work to the heads, will bore it out, etc., but don't want to swap in a 5.0 as my son will probably be driving it in about a year. stock mustang headers, and a full exhaust will make the biggest difference. There isnt much to gain with boring it, everyone claims going .030 over gives you power, but theyre idiots. Just have the heads checked, and decked if needs be, with the stock CFI setup, there isnt much power to be found in the heads. You can grab a CFI unit from a 5.0 car, swap the 3.8L injectors in it, tweak the fuel pressure a little, and get a horsepower or two. The suggestions i would have for you when trying to pull power is to leave the engine alone and do all the small stuff. Electric fan, gears, advance the timing, things of that nature. The headers back exhaust will help out, i used a K&N filter from an 88 Camaro, disconnected the vacume lines from the heat riser setup on the air cleaner, and flipped the lid, that didnt do squat for power, but it sounded kinda cool. Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #4 – March 07, 2006, 09:48:53 PM Quote from: Tbird232citake the block and rotating assembly to a machine shop, have them bore the block as little as it needs to be, have them go over and resize the rods, polish the crank, and order some new pistons, rings, bearings, etc. Have them assemble the pistons and rods, but take the rest home and assemble that yourself. That will save you some money. Just be sure to have a nice torque wrench, and a manual with the torque specs.stock mustang headers, and a full exhaust will make the biggest difference...Just have the heads checked, and decked if needs be, with the stock CFI setup, there isnt much power to be found in the heads. I plan to have the machine shop work done for sure...will also have them assemble the pistons and rods (as suggested) and hope to do the rest myself. I also knew I would need the torque wrench, but wonder if my Haynes and Chilton's will cover all of the torques before I get started. I definitely need to find another 3.8 to rebuild as I have tried to get a loaner car to do this and not having much luck. Can't give up my daily driver for long.Just curious, why have the shop assemble the pistons and rods? Anything else I'd be better off to let the 'professionals' have? Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #5 – March 08, 2006, 03:57:01 PM I cant remember how the 3.8L pistons and rods go together, but when we did my buddies 350 (yeah yeah, chevy i know), we found that the rod had to be heated, the piston had to be lined up over the rod, and the pin pressed in, and we couldnt do it right in the garage, and ended up tweaking a rod Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #6 – March 09, 2006, 12:24:53 PM AAghh...exactly the kind of problems I'm afraid of running into. Gotta get started soon though, either way. Still looking forward to it...Dave Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #7 – March 10, 2006, 12:45:07 PM hello. Check out my cardomain page for my 3.8 motor build.Chris Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #8 – March 11, 2006, 08:45:36 AM Sweeeet...looking good Chris. I'm sure I'll be back to your site from time to time.Thanks to everyone for their help...Dave Quote Selected
Rebuilding a 3.8 Reply #9 – March 12, 2006, 07:35:15 AM Thank you. Feel free to drop me a line if needed. Chris Quote Selected
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