Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
The motor is fine.... it's the weight.... 
Is the Lincoln LS 3.9L an Interference motor??
- Thread starter 386Motoring
- Start date
cammerfe
Dedicated LVC Member
To my mind, it's unlikely that a chain fault would break a valve. A serious over-rev---8K+---could drop a valve. I'll be using aftermarket valves, springs, retainers and keepers. A dropped valve can completely destroy an engine and I'm told that this is a common scenario. From what I understand, a chain tensioner failure will cause an engine to 'jump time'. Such tensioner failures are common. Use the search function here.
KS
KS
Rich88LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
I don't think he is arguing your knowledge of whether the AJ engine but your point that every engine could be considered an interference engine because a valve head can break off. Sounded more like sarcasm to me though.
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
here are a couple of pics of some LS heads I have....
Sorry took them with my phone..
looks like the valves extend past the edge of the heads by about 7mm.
I do not have pics of the piston in the cylinder at TDC - so I do not know how high it come to the top edge - but 7mm seems like a lot.
Sorry took them with my phone..
looks like the valves extend past the edge of the heads by about 7mm.
I do not have pics of the piston in the cylinder at TDC - so I do not know how high it come to the top edge - but 7mm seems like a lot.
386Motoring
Active LVC Member
Thanks for the pics! All the info was great guys. Thanks. I knew this message board would come through. There are a bunch of stand up guys here.
I'm getting the LS this weekend then. You'll see parts for sale soon.
Sorry, I didn't realize that you had changed the subject. I thought you were talking about the AJ being an interference engine, not whether or not a piece of debris in the cylinder could cause problems...
cammerfe
Dedicated LVC Member
Photos taken at coil bind?
KS
KS
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
at full lobe
drag214
Well-Known LVC Member
The problem i'm having is that the transmission shop said if they take mine apart and the valve body is damaged then i have to pay a fee for that along with the cost of finding a new transmission. I'm just worried about it cause my trans went out with no warning at 87k miles and the fluid was burnt although i had just had a synthetic flush at 75k miles. I've been looking for a used transmission but most of them have more miles then my own had. At the cost of buying a transmission i could get almost a whole car and part it out. I know there is enough demand for these to make it worth my time.
If anyone is selling a transmission that works please let me know. I'm ballin on a budget. The idea of spending 1800 on a trans scares me to death just to think that it may happen 6 months from now
Where did you get it flushed? When ever I get a faulty transmission, the fluid is the first place I look. If there were no signs before (hard shifting, rattling at distinct speeds burnt smell) then that means, your transmission went out just over 10,000 miles after their service. Did they use Mercon V and check the fluid level properly. Before you take anything apart, you should begain an inquarry in this direction. Are you in Cali?
386Motoring
Active LVC Member
I had an issue soon after i purchased the car.... actually a week after i bought it the transmission wouldn't move until the car sat for about a minute while running. If i tried to drive then it would drive with serious slipping issues. The service shop i brought it to recommended that i flush it. I didn't pay no attention to it cause it was my first newer car purchase and i was optimistic about it. The transmission flush didn't change anything at all. I did call and ask. They used synthetic fluid. I've never had an issue with that shop before and i've been going there for years. I believe i may have just purchased a lemon. The more i own it the more i find superglue residue and things that just aren't right at all.
I'm all the way in Florida. My poor car hasn't been running for two months. Unemployed single father and coming up with a few hundred or even a thousand just never seems possible. ugh.... just made a car payment on this broken Lincoln.
HELP!!!
02LSSPORTV8
New LVC Member
I know I’m reviving an old thread
But maybe someone who know can confirm if the pistons come up within 7mm of the deck of the block?
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
That's actually kind of a bad question.
If the valves do extend into the combustion chamber 7mm, (as Cam's 3rd pic in post #30 shows)...
...and the piston at TDC is 7mm from the top of the block deck... then, (allowing for the head gasket thickness), the valve is almost hitting the piston on a cold engine.
Start the engine up... and as everything "grows" due to thermal expansion... then the valve and piston would come in contact with each other.
There are formulas to calculate all of this, (figuring in the stroke and deck height measured from the center of rotation of the crankshaft), but I don't have that info handy... and honestly don't feel like doing the math.
The important question from me... would be why do you want to know the answer to your question?
Did you have a timing chain fail? Do you have low compression on one or more cylinders? Do you think you have a bent valve?
More info is needed.
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
As an afterthought... if you are thinking of shaving the heads to increase compression, (or because the engine got hot and warped a head)... don't.
Get a different head.
Get a different head.
02LSSPORTV8
New LVC Member
Luckily I have not had a
Luckily I have not had an issue with overheating and I do not suspect bent valves or timing jump; I merely ask because I own a high mileage 3.9 L that has a brand new transmission. I’m trying to suss out the weak points of the vehicle; really I’m trying to figure out whether the timing chain should be changed arbitrarily based on time and mileage or if it can safely be run until it has an issue with it
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
Define high milage. There are/were a couple members on here that reported 300k with only regular routine maintenance.
04_Sport_LS
Dedicated LVC Member
Here ya go... read post #6
You didn't say which Gen you have... but there have been very few issues Gen 2 chains and tensioners.
The Gen 1 did have issues... mainly with the secondary tensioners.
Highest Mileage LS V8?
My 02 LS Sport V8 is at 258k miles. Its parked a lot now due to another car I have. Just wondering who has the Highest Mileage LS V8. With the Original Engine? I don't think mine is. I was just wondering how far they can go?
www.lincolnvscadillac.com
You didn't say which Gen you have... but there have been very few issues Gen 2 chains and tensioners.
The Gen 1 did have issues... mainly with the secondary tensioners.