So pressing forward with my engine thoughts.

Is it safe to say that I can build an engine for any ford 3.8 block from 97 and up that will work in my 2002. As in a block from an F150, E series van, mustang, windstar?

and say I get a 99 mustang block, if I strip it down to the block then I can make it an internally balanced engine can I not?

Thanks

 

Bump for some replys

 

Any 01+ 3.8 or 4.2 block and heads.

The 01+ block is the strongest of them all, but for a complete rebuild any RWD 3.8/4.2 block will work.

 

correct. the engine balance is detirmined by the crankshaft, balanced by the harmonic balancer and flywheel. what plans do you have?

 

I think originally I just want to build a 4.2, fairly stock but with room to grow as funds become available. The M112 looks pretty bad ***, but I dont know that my knowledge is strong enough to tackle that just yet. So I thought I would start small and consider all the other mods after. Like I was considering rebuilding a stock set of heads, and perhaps attempt gasket porting heads intake etc.

 

well you'll f-youirself if you use a windstar block, they're fwd.

 

I thought that would be an issue but thats why I asked to be sure. Basically the windstar is only good for the intake for us.

 

the upper only, even the lower is different. It's been a while since I've really looked at one, but I may go to the junkyard tomorrow and grab one along with some heads, just to compare them.

 

right, just the upper. and the 4.2 upper also fits but you need a bigger hood. Got any rough estimates on what I should be paying for a used block. Its still hard to find one near by. All kinds online but such a pain to go get