Compatible Replacement Engines for a 1999 3.8L V6 Mustang?
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
From: TN
Compatible Replacement Engines for a 1999 3.8L V6 Mustang?
Hi. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has already been answered. I have a 99 Mustang with a 3.8 V6 engine that I acquired for the low low price of $800. Ever since I got it, the engine's thrown a P0302 code and the fuel economy has been absolutely horrendous. The thing can barely drive 10 miles without using a 1/4 of a tank of gas. Well, after several months of trying to resolve the issue myself in an attempt to not spend more money fixing it than I did purchasing it, I finally ended up taking it to get diagnosed by a trustworthy automotive shop near my house. Their final verdict was that cylinder 2 of the engine was completely dead and than several of the others had low compression. In the end, they told me that my best bet would be to have the entire engine replaced. Knowing that this was a very probable outcome from the start, I've been doing a ton of research trying to narrow down which models of V6 Mustang I would be able to pull an engine from and replace mine with. So far, I've narrowed the years down to 99-04, as they all appear to share the same base engine design as my own. However, I was recently told by the guy who manages our local junk yard that the way these engines are balanced can vary depending on the year. I found a guy on craigslist who is parting out 2 different V6 Mustangs, one of which is an 00, the other an 02. He offered to sell me either of the engines for $300 each. The engine from the 02 has 30k fewer miles on it than the 00, so if they're both compatible with my 99, I'd prefer to go with the 02. This is however my first time swapping an engine, so I would very much like to be 110% sure that everything on the new engine will work with my car before I purchase it. So my main question is, are there any differences between the 99-04 model V6 Mustang engines that would keep any of them from easily swapping into my 99, and if so, are there any adjustments that could be made to make them compatible, or if not, which years should I limit myself to to ensure that the swap goes as smoothly as possible?
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 2
From: ID
Compatible engines with a
Hi. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has already been answered. I have a 99 Mustang with a 3.8 V6 engine that I acquired for the low low price of $800. Ever since I got it, the engine's thrown a P0302 code and the fuel economy has been absolutely horrendous. The thing can barely drive 10 miles without using a 1/4 of a tank of gas. Well, after several months of trying to resolve the issue myself in an attempt to not spend more money fixing it than I did purchasing it, I finally ended up taking it to get diagnosed by a trustworthy automotive shop near my house. Their final verdict was that cylinder 2 of the engine was completely dead and than several of the others had low compression. In the end, they told me that my best bet would be to have the entire engine replaced. Knowing that this was a very probable outcome from the start, I've been doing a ton of research trying to narrow down which models of V6 Mustang I would be able to pull an engine from and replace mine with. So far, I've narrowed the years down to 99-04, as they all appear to share the same base engine design as my own. However, I was recently told by the guy who manages our local junk yard that the way these engines are balanced can vary depending on the year. I found a guy on craigslist who is parting out 2 different V6 Mustangs, one of which is an 00, the other an 02. He offered to sell me either of the engines for $300 each. The engine from the 02 has 30k fewer miles on it than the 00, so if they're both compatible with my 99, I'd prefer to go with the 02. This is however my first time swapping an engine, so I would very much like to be 110% sure that everything on the new engine will work with my car before I purchase it. So my main question is, are there any differences between the 99-04 model V6 Mustang engines that would keep any of them from easily swapping into my 99, and if so, are there any adjustments that could be made to make them compatible, or if not, which years should I limit myself to to ensure that the swap goes as smoothly as possible?
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 2
From: ID
Compatible engines with a
Hi. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has already been answered. I have a 99 Mustang with a 3.8 V6 engine that I acquired for the low low price of $800. Ever since I got it, the engine's thrown a P0302 code and the fuel economy has been absolutely horrendous. The thing can barely drive 10 miles without using a 1/4 of a tank of gas. Well, after several months of trying to resolve the issue myself in an attempt to not spend more money fixing it than I did purchasing it, I finally ended up taking it to get diagnosed by a trustworthy automotive shop near my house. Their final verdict was that cylinder 2 of the engine was completely dead and than several of the others had low compression. In the end, they told me that my best bet would be to have the entire engine replaced. Knowing that this was a very probable outcome from the start, I've been doing a ton of research trying to narrow down which models of V6 Mustang I would be able to pull an engine from and replace mine with. So far, I've narrowed the years down to 99-04, as they all appear to share the same base engine design as my own. However, I was recently told by the guy who manages our local junk yard that the way these engines are balanced can vary depending on the year. I found a guy on craigslist who is parting out 2 different V6 Mustangs, one of which is an 00, the other an 02. He offered to sell me either of the engines for $300 each. The engine from the 02 has 30k fewer miles on it than the 00, so if they're both compatible with my 99, I'd prefer to go with the 02. This is however my first time swapping an engine, so I would very much like to be 110% sure that everything on the new engine will work with my car before I purchase it. So my main question is, are there any differences between the 99-04 model V6 Mustang engines that would keep any of them from easily swapping into my 99, and if so, are there any adjustments that could be made to make them compatible, or if not, which years should I limit myself to to ensure that the swap goes as smoothly as possible?
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 75
From: Florida
I see you have no answer beyond the ridiculous statement for Ldobson37. I would use the flywheel and front damper pulley that comes with the used engine.. It would not matter how balanced. Sorry it took 4 years to get an answer on this dumb forum.
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