[Phinney]

Not a v6 specific question, but... I am planning on rebuilding the engine on my 2004 convertible, not because I need to, just something I would like to do. It has 91k miles and no problems. I have done some searching (at work on my blackberry) and haven't found any good answers.


I am looking for an engine rebuild kit, how to I find the one I need? Is it linked to the car model or the engine specifically. If it is the engine how do I find out what engine I have? (V6 3.9l)

After I finish the rebuild, what do I have to do to actually claim it as a rebuilt engine with 0 miles on it? (Or how ever that works)


What do I do about the odometer reading 91k? Am I allowed to have that reset? And where would I do that? Probably a ford dealership eh?

NOTE: this is a project I want to undertake, so please don't suggest I have to have a machine shop do it all. But also note I have no specialized tools, so if I need to get something bore'd or remachined please let me know. Thanks a lot!

[mooses]

Sounds like a complete waste of time. What exactly are you rebuilding it for? Might as well throw in a 4.2 crank, hone your cylinders, new pistons, and a more aggressive cam while you're in there. Wouldn't make much sense to tear apart a perfectly good engine just to rebuild it with stock parts. No you aren't allowed to reset the odo because everything else in your car still has 91k miles on it no matter what you do to the engine.

[Phinney]

More of a project than anything, call it a learning experience, just so I can tell myself when I go to sleep at night that I rebuilt my engine.

[ESG-642T]

I'm going to have to agree, unless something is wrong with the motor its a pretty good waste of cash to throw at it unless your actually going to build it, or stroke it.

No you don't get to reset your odometer , and their is no special claims service to say you rebuilt your motor.

[Phinney]

I understand there is no point, like I said already, I am just doing it for fun. Any answers about which kit I would need and if I would need to have a machine shop work on it?

If it is not something I can reasonably do on my own as far as difficulty and cost for parts, I will give some thought into forgetting about it. The whole idea is I wanted to tear the engine down and clean it, figured I would rebuild it as well.

[ESG-642T]

Just a quick google search:

Master engine rebuild kit:
Ford 3.8L 1996-2003 Engine Rebuild Kit

$804.74

If those are graphite gaskets I would swap those for MLS which is another 80$

And then if you want new pistons/rods

[stephen]

This is a 2004 V6 engine, which I believe is an overhead cam, not the same as the 99-2003 3.8L V6. I don't know if there is an engine kit available for it. You might check out Ron's Precision Machine. They have rebuild kits for the 3.8L V6.

It might make some sense to freshen up the engine by doing a valve/ring job and probably new timing chains. You would want a machine shop to do the valve work and hone the block if you install new rings. You would need a piston ring compressor and a good torque wrench plus a shop manual.

[stephen]

For the overhead cam engine there are also some tools that you should have for getting the valve timing right.

[ESG-642T]

Originally Posted by stephen This is a 2004 V6 engine, which I believe is an overhead cam, not the same as the 99-2003 3.8L V6. I don't know if there is an engine kit available for it. You might check out Ron's Precision Machine. They have rebuild kits for the 3.8L V6. It might make some sense to freshen up the engine by doing a valve/ring job and probably new timing chains. You would want a machine shop to do the valve work and hone the block if you install new rings. You would need a piston ring compressor and a good torque wrench plus a shop manual.

Are you kidding?

Its exactly the same thing.... with a SLIGHTLY longer stroke.

Its over head VALVE, not SOHC.

[stephen]

Yes it is similar to the 3.8L. There is a 4.0L from 2005 that is overhead cam.

A 3.9 L (238 cu in) version of the Essex V6 was introduced in 2004. It used the same bore diameter as the 3.8 L Essex but had a slightly longer 3.46 in (87.9 mm) stroke. It was installed in a running change on later production 2004 Mustangs (starting October 7, 2003), though overall engine output was identical. Ford spec sheets note this engine as 3802 cc (232 cu in). The bore and stroke, however, work out to 3857 cc (236 cu in). Another strange thing is that this engine, if specs are to be believed, is 0.010 in (0.25 mm) underbore compared to the 3.8 and 4.2. Use of the 3.9 was shortlived in the Mustang though as it was replaced by Ford's 4.0 L Cologne OHC V6 when the Mustang was redesigned for 2005. The 3.9 continued on in the Ford Freestar minivan (successor to the Windstar) for a few years until production of the engine was discontinued in 2007.
Applications:
2004 Ford Mustang
2004-2007 Ford Freestar

[ESG-642T]

The 99-04 motor

and the 05+ s197 4.0L motor

are two completely different things, Your preaching to the Pastor here...

[Phinney]

Well maybe instead of doing a full rebuild I will just do some valve work, clean it up and replace the gaskets. Thanks for the info

[itschristorres8]

im going to have to say
if your asking these questions
you cant rebuild the motor

next you said yourself the motor has no problems....so your just building it because in this day and economy wasting money on a stock v6 rebuild for no reason just seems right??

[Phinney]

So by your logic, no one that asks questions can do anything? Once again I am doing this for FUN as a learning experience, cost/time are not factors.

A working v6 is all I have to run with right now, maybe one day ill acquire something a little more fun, but until then, enough with the flame posts, I am looking for advice on what I got. Thanks to all who have actually answered some of my questions.