Worth rebuilding the 3.9?

[112 LS]

I'm picking up a 2000, 3.9 LS tomorrow with a blown engine. Seller said his oil pan was leaking. In any case, I plan on just taking the engine harness for my LS and junking it.

I've never rebuilt and engine, heard this model might be hard. thoughts?

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Depends on what happened to it. If you can see a rod from outside the engine i'd say not rebuildable.

 

[marcredd]

Just built one by chioice. It was delivered Tuesday. Make sure the oil pump is good because it has been discontinued and no Ford distributor in the US has one. It took an act of God on eBay last night to find one. See my thread from this week called Oil Pump Needed: 2000. I am in for $2200, not counting labor, on my build and that counts a remanufactured block, ported heads, full cylinder head gasket set, full radius valve job, and the new updated metal timing chain tensioners. I plan to keep my car so I was high on having an engine with zero miles. Plan on keeping my current engine since it still works well.

It truly depends on what you can get good work for and what your budget allows. Buying used is more cost effective for others.

 

[marcredd]

Part that thing out and make some money....

 

[112 LS]

that warm fuzzy feeling of having an engine with zero miles is tickling me, I'd love to have it around ready to swap when mine dies.. thinking I'm going to pull the motor

Marc did you check around for Jaguar equivalent aj-v8 parts?

 

[marcredd]

Not so much. I had ready access to all of the parts needed without looking toward Jag. Finding a new oil pump was the very last minute hiccup. I hear euroshop.com has parts. I know they have some as that is where my metal timing tensioners(kit) came from via a seller on eBay.

 

[jose914]

My engine went out on mine. I don't know if to rebuild it or get a used motor. They are charging my $2250 to put in a used motor. Is that a fair price? I also heard that once the motor is replaced it is never the same. Is this true? Has anyone replaced the engine and gotten problems with the car or does it work fine. I don't know whether to fix it or sell it. Can yall please help!

 

[marcredd]

If the replacement engine is solid, and the mechanic is just as solid, it should be seamless. But those factors go hand-in-hand.

 

[drag214]

If the replacement engine is solid, and the mechanic is just as solid, it should be seamless. But those Yep factors go hand-in-hand.

Just finished a Engine swap a week ago. It was smooth. New engine started up and didn't miss a beat.

 

[112 LS]

Jose, how did your engine die? I'm curious to hear what is common cause if any for failure on this engine. I've only got 65k on mine, but I've beat it for basically all 65k

 

[marcredd]

Keep good oil in it because Gen 1(2000-2002) used plastic tensioners in the timing assembly and sludge could cause them to fail. There are tons of threads addressing your question. A few good searches using the search tool should give you all of the answers you are looking for.

 

[Travis2000LS]

If there is one thing I learned about this car. If your wanting to buy one. Getting one used is like pulling out a penny in a mound of quarters. You never really know how the last owner took care of it. And if they wernt set on taking care of it and changing out the oil constantly and doing their scheduled maintenance then it can turn into a disaster.
Though I LOVE my LS. I do not love all the flaws they have if they are Neglected by previous owners such as in my case.. and I am paying for it all now. I would just buy a Crate engine 3.9L (if possible not sure if it is or not) drop it in and be done with the beast.

Rebuilding could be timely and cost you some $ but in the end might be worth it.

You just have to be sure when a problem occurs. Fix it ASAP or else the problem will cause more problems.

This is all probably common sense.. But the LS is like a Woman with constant PMS

One minute you love her, and she loves you, and yall are happy together, The next she takes all your money and threatens to kill you.

 

[marcredd]

I have had my 2000 model for 53 months(just over 4 years) and done $2200 in maintenance. That is about $42 per month to keep it on the road.

 

[jose914]

Jose, how did your engine die? I'm curious to hear what is common cause if any for failure on this engine. I've only got 65k on mine, but I've beat it for basically all 65k

I am not sure what happened to my motor. I was driving on the freeway going 70 when I felt a little yank. I took my foot off the gas and step on it again it worked for like a second when it yanked againg. Then it started rumbling and the car turned off in the middle of the freeway still going about 60. Lucky I was able to reach to get to the side of the freeway. I turned the car back on and it rattled really bad. I didn't smell anything buring from the front, but when I went to the back of the car to get something out of my trunk I smelt something burning. Like travis said one minute I love the car and everything works good the next it tries to kill me. I put so much money it to it that I hate to let it go but I also don't have a whole lot of money to fix it again and to still have problems. Is it worth putting a used motor into it or should I sell it. Someone already offered me a grand for it.

 

[jose914]

Just finished a Engine swap a week ago. It was smooth. New engine started up and didn't miss a beat.

How was your experience changing it? How much did y ou spend? Did you get a new or used engine? I have found some used engines ranging from 1-2 grand. They have 90k miles. They say that the engines run good but of course they would say that. Is there a way to find out wether or not it is a good engine before buying it or before even putting it on? I don't want to spen 2 grand only to have it go out in a year or less. I just fixed the whole suspension on it putting new lower ball joints(just the ball joints not the knuckles), struts, tie rods, hub assembly, and upper control arms. It was running good but now the engine decided to go out on me. What do you think I should do. Did you have any problems replacing your engine?

 

[Travis2000LS]

I know what you mean Jose. I am only 17 Myself. It just sucks having to put my entire Paycheck into my car every week.

If you have a stable income and are able to fix the problems and Stay up on the maintenance on your Lincoln when it gets a new engine everything should be fine..

Ive gotten to the point where Im keeping my lincoln knowing I only have a few Mechanical issues left on my list and a few Cosmetic and Wants fixed..

I bought my 2000 Sport LS V8 with 129k Miles for 2900$ cash.

Fixed:
Torque Converter ( 1000$ )
Timing Chain tensioners ( 75$, 110$ = 195$ )
Synthetic Oil Change ( 50$ )
Cooling Fan Flush ( 40$ )
Cooling Fan Actuator ( 158$ )

Need to Fix:

Cooling Plastic Components ( 52.02$, 62.40$, 40.78$ = 155.20$ )
Timing Chain With Master Link (60$ )
Windsheild (150$ )
Clock Spring ( 110 $ )

Total :

Fixed = 1433$
Unfixed = 475.20$

Grand Total :

Combined = 2008.20$ ( Give or take a couple dollars )

Everything done by myself except for the torque converter and in that case only paid 40$ per hour or so in labor..

Its SO FAR going to cost me near 4900$ in total for a functional car.. If thats all the problems..
SOO Yeah!

 

[ChrisLS8]

Honestly if you have a garage and some mechanical aptitude and tools I can't see how people don't do motors themselves. I know its not up everyone's alley but if you label the harness (which is pretty idiot proof to begin with) and take your time and follow directions, its not scary at all.

I've gotten to the point on many nissans/hondas/Mitsubishi I can do an engine swap in about 4 hours and a tranny swap in about an hour and a half start to finish

 

[Travis2000LS]

Honestly if you have a garage and some mechanical aptitude and tools I can't see how people don't do motors themselves. I know its not up everyone's alley but if you label the harness (which is pretty idiot proof to begin with) and take your time and follow directions, its not scary at all.

I've gotten to the point on many nissans/hondas/Mitsubishi I can do an engine swap in about 4 hours and a tranny swap in about an hour and a half start to finish

Agreed
Its not hard, you just need the tools, Patience, and time. Dont rush yourself. Follow directions and do some research and dont be afraid to ask questions. Simple. Just dont get frustrated and as I said before. Dont rush, youll end up half assing or F&^king up something.