Gearheadloco
LVC Member
Hey gang,
Just wanted to share a last few pictures of my year-long 2001 3.9L V8 rebuild project. I now understand why Ford/Lincoln recommends that the engine and transmission be dropped out of the car instead of pulling the engine out from the top as I did. It's impossible to install and torque the last four bolts that hold the transmission to the engine in the way I did it! The car has been running great for the last couple of weeks so apparently the 12 of 16 bolts I did get in are doing the job! But word to the wise - sometimes the manufacturer has it right.
So my learnings from the project for all LS enthusiasts out there (most of which you guys know already but I had to learn the hard way) -
- The 2001 LS 3.9L V8 may have been assembled in Lima, Ohio, but the 2001 model year engine is essentially a 2000/01 Jaguar S-type 4.0L for -
- connecting rod bearings
- crankshaft main and thrust bearings
My engine's original pistons, crankshaft and oil pump were destroyed when two connecting rod bearings spun around and destroyed the crankshaft, filling the oil sump with metal shavings. Fortunately good used parts were available with Lincoln LS dismantlers, so I can't vouch for whether the Jaguar S-type crankshaft, pistons or connecting rods are identical to the Ford/Lincoln equivalent.
- When shopping for engine bottom-end parts, talk to the Jag guys as all Ford/Lincoln parts folks will do is give you dumb looks.
- Piston rings and head bolts are about all that I could find new for this engine, from Mahle and Felpro respectively. Felpro has just about all of the gaskets for this engine, save the oil pump gasket. I had to re-use my old one.
- Alternators, starters, A/C compressors and your power steering and fluid fan pumps are available rebuilt. I try to use Denso as they have been ultra reliable for me - but consider doing all of these while the engine is OUT OF THE CAR. Once back in, replacing any of these is a real PITA.
- I used new Denso coil-on-plug assemblies and they work fine too.
So let me know what you think of the rebuild, and if I can be of any help with questions from anyone considering doing this themselves, please let me know. It looks scary but isn't so bad if you go slow and ask your friends for help!
Phil in San Diego
Anyway, here's the engine bay all cleaned up and ready for the engine:
Here's a couple photos of the engine going in - I think the thin-mint green block looks good!
There must be a whole half inch of space between the engine and the wheel wells getting this thing in. Maybe coming up from the bottom would have been better.....
.... And finally back together.... I guess I got the timing chains right the first time, as she purrs like a kitten. Say what you like about British engineering, this car really moves!
The Lincoln will be my son's wheels when he gets home from college this summer. I'm not sure I want to give it to him now! Anyway, on to the next project - a blown up 2001 VW Beetle for my new driver daughter!
Just wanted to share a last few pictures of my year-long 2001 3.9L V8 rebuild project. I now understand why Ford/Lincoln recommends that the engine and transmission be dropped out of the car instead of pulling the engine out from the top as I did. It's impossible to install and torque the last four bolts that hold the transmission to the engine in the way I did it! The car has been running great for the last couple of weeks so apparently the 12 of 16 bolts I did get in are doing the job! But word to the wise - sometimes the manufacturer has it right.
So my learnings from the project for all LS enthusiasts out there (most of which you guys know already but I had to learn the hard way) -
- The 2001 LS 3.9L V8 may have been assembled in Lima, Ohio, but the 2001 model year engine is essentially a 2000/01 Jaguar S-type 4.0L for -
- connecting rod bearings
- crankshaft main and thrust bearings
My engine's original pistons, crankshaft and oil pump were destroyed when two connecting rod bearings spun around and destroyed the crankshaft, filling the oil sump with metal shavings. Fortunately good used parts were available with Lincoln LS dismantlers, so I can't vouch for whether the Jaguar S-type crankshaft, pistons or connecting rods are identical to the Ford/Lincoln equivalent.
- When shopping for engine bottom-end parts, talk to the Jag guys as all Ford/Lincoln parts folks will do is give you dumb looks.
- Piston rings and head bolts are about all that I could find new for this engine, from Mahle and Felpro respectively. Felpro has just about all of the gaskets for this engine, save the oil pump gasket. I had to re-use my old one.
- Alternators, starters, A/C compressors and your power steering and fluid fan pumps are available rebuilt. I try to use Denso as they have been ultra reliable for me - but consider doing all of these while the engine is OUT OF THE CAR. Once back in, replacing any of these is a real PITA.
- I used new Denso coil-on-plug assemblies and they work fine too.
So let me know what you think of the rebuild, and if I can be of any help with questions from anyone considering doing this themselves, please let me know. It looks scary but isn't so bad if you go slow and ask your friends for help!
Phil in San Diego
Anyway, here's the engine bay all cleaned up and ready for the engine:
Here's a couple photos of the engine going in - I think the thin-mint green block looks good!
There must be a whole half inch of space between the engine and the wheel wells getting this thing in. Maybe coming up from the bottom would have been better.....
.... And finally back together.... I guess I got the timing chains right the first time, as she purrs like a kitten. Say what you like about British engineering, this car really moves!
The Lincoln will be my son's wheels when he gets home from college this summer. I'm not sure I want to give it to him now! Anyway, on to the next project - a blown up 2001 VW Beetle for my new driver daughter!
