Ive been contemplating an engine swap with my maverick, and was wondering how members here would feel about it and if there is any advice that they would like to offer. Looking at installing a 2001 Ford 3.8L V6 into my 75 maverick. Id be jumping from carb to fuel injection, sub 100 horse to nearly 200 horse, little less than 200 ft/ib torque to slightly more then 200 ft/ib torque. Dropping from 4.1L to 3.8L. In my head it sounds like a good swap, but then again, I have never done an engine swap before. Thoughts and comments please. Im looking at picking up the 3.8 within the next two weeks.
If you do it then you might need the wiring harness. Also here is an old thread on this topic. http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/anyone-running-a-later-v6.86658/
This would be a lot of work even for a seasoned swapper... Virtually everything will have to be fabricated, motor mounts, exhaust system, throttle linkage, wiring(you better be good in that area), fuel system etc, etc... The 3.8 is approx as wide as a 351, so space between engine and shock towers will be at a premium... The only thing that even makes this worth considering is the 3.8 shares bell bolt pattern with the 250 and 302, and you could probably use the 4.1 flexplate on the 3.8(I dunno for sure)...
Not that these are exactly laying in junkyards yet, but i think the new Mustang Turbo 4-cylinder would be AWESOME in these cars. Light weight, efficient and powerful. I would think with the right transmission 35mpg or more would be possible (the heavy mustang is supposed to get 31) and you'd have 300HP.
check into a Ron Francis wiring harness and also check with tanks, inc for the fuel pump http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results_w/mode=cat_directory/product.htm https://www.ronfrancis.com/products.asp?dept=295
I would stick with a 302 based engine if I were you. Every thing you need for the swap is readily available and reasonable. The only way I would consider a more exotic swap is if I had an MII front suspension under it, as it would allow the elimination of the shock towers. A 302 or a stroker variant would get pretty good mileage and afford all the power most people would ever want on the street. If this is your first swap, stick with something proven.
I agree with rotorr22, plenty of people here have done a 5.0 swap into their 6 cyl cars. Lots of info AND lots of help from those people to make your swap go smooth, just ask. I have done the 5.0 EFI swap myself, if you are interested.
I remember looking a long while ago at a build thread somewhere on the ww web on a guy that was putting a 3.8 sc v6 out of a thunderbird in his 64 Comet. He had cut a hole in the aluminum oil pan so that the steering linkage could pass through the pan. He was pretty far along, but ai don't ever remember seeing it finished. I do know that he hadn't cut the towers on it. I'm with the others though a 5.0L based EFI conversion would be more straight forward and fun to boot. -Matt
The 3.8 is a terrible engine. Definitely not worth the effort. I'd modify the original 6 before I'd ever consider a 3.8 swap. Modern injection and ignition would add quite a bit to the little inline.
I agree but once you get to '99 they are fairly reliable, still due to width they won't be a easy fit... As also mentioned, it'll take a custom pan or a lot of hacking on orig to make that fit as well... Little?? A late 3.8 will run rings around the stock 302... Admittedly things change fast once you add a few performance pieces to the V8... If someone wanted to use a late V6 the 4.0 is the one to use(think Ranger/Explorer)... It's smaller(prob 2" narrower) than a 5.0(it's a 60* vs 90* of most engines), and has roots all the way back to the 2.6 & 2.8 that were used in Stang II... I dunno exactly what interchanges but assuming a early front sump 2.8 pan fits, along with a late transmission one could build a very nice cruiser...
I agree with no spark too. Even if it was timed "180° out" of phase it should still light fires somewhere in the engine, intake or exhaust, would give an occasional pop or sputter. Spark is an easier one to check by simply grounding out a spark plug against something metal(preferably clean bare). A little darkness helps to see the spark kernel a little clearer. Can also test spark right off the coil plug wire if you don't want to pull a plug and wire for testing. Another basic troubleshooting principle is to also always check fuel supply end as well(accelerator pump shot fuel stream should be visible). If the bowls aren't filling with fuel then you need to test the fuel pumps output volume by routing a hose into a gas can. Air, fuel, and spark.. miss one of those and nothing goes as planned. Word of caution though.. numerous and repeated "no spark" starting attempts can and does flood the cylinder walls and rings with raw fuel and eventually dilutes and ruins the whole oil supply. Get way too carried away and you can easily wipe the bores and ring seal right out of an entirely healthy running engine. Quick easy check is to just smell the oil on the dipstick and you'll know it's time to change it if it smells of too much gas. Quick compression test will quickly tell the tale of ring seal health.
I hear yuh fellas and yes all these things were done first. I have spark at coil and plug but no "pop".. I've dumped fuel down the carb and intake without carb. Starter fluid, checked wiring sequence, turned distributor, bought new points, it's wrecking my brain and I'm the "go-to mechanic" in the family so I don't have anyone else to get a second opinion from... This shiiiiii is so frustrating!
Cut to the " chase ' .. Find a decent 5.0 or 302 V8 for your power plant . Not too many hassles making the swap .. Great Power Gains and availability is a factor .
