Ford 3.8l in a Samurai?

[kingmick217]

I've got an '86 Suzuki Samurai Speacial Edition That is going through about a gallon of oil every 200miles or so... I also have an 84 mercury marquis that has a 3.8ltr engine and an AOD tranny. I'm wanting to swap the V6 into the Samurai.

Try as I might I keep finding just about every engine swap info available for a 3.8 GM/Buick but no 3.8 Ford. I know that there are those that have put in a 302/289 however there is very few details of problems in doing so.

BTW yes I'm a newbie, tried the search function (it was a no go), been wheeling a Samurai for 3.5 years, can actually afford a new rubicon but rather drive a Sammy :flipoff2: just bought an '86 tin top that will recieve the 1.3 out of the Speacial Edition-- once its built to the NUTZ.

[McDerry]

its a 90 degree block, what ever info you can find on any v8 or 90 degree block should help you along.

The only fitment differance between a 302 and that 3.8L is two cylinders shorter.


squeeze it into the engine bay and make some engine mounts and transmission mounts. Next step would be makinga jackshaft, then new driveshafts. Be ready tu cut the transmission tunnel.

[deepmud]

302 has been done, so it must fit per the prev. post. Should be torqey combo, and I think it's lighter than the 4.3 everybody does.

[zukibrothers]

if you are going to use the stock zuki tcase, try to find the short shaft c4 from a late 60's early 70's ford truck/van. should help with the length issue.

[Klem]

Don't do it! Ford's 3.8 isn't there best motor. I'd go with either the gm or get your hands on a 3.7 out of the liberty. Ford 3.8 has some really bad designs and flaws. Trust me, I work on them all the time.

[Hammy_tn]

:) im running the GM 3.8 w/ a Turbo 350 tranny and i love the low end power. Hammy

[kingmick217]

I know about the head gasket issues for the Ford 3.8 (it has aluminum heads i.e. bad for head gaskets but good for weight, but besides that what are the other flaws? Besides the Samurai I'm a Mopar guy, so I do not know much else about these motors other than the HP/Torque numbers are about what I want.

I'd rather stay away from newer motors to swap in like the liberty. Too many wiring issues. I'm a fair parts replacer bad mechanic.

[BikerSC]

I know about the flaws with the 3.8 (largest being the headgaskets). I have owned two Thunderbird Supercoupes with the Supercharged 3.8, and I really don't know if you could find a beefier stock bottom end. I have dealt with the headgasket issues on one of them, but the one I currently have has 173k miles on what I believe is the stock headgaskets. I really don't think there are that many flaws.

I don't know if I would want to put a normaly asperated 3.8 in anything, but the SC motor would be pretty cool in just about everything. Try over 300 ft/lb of torque at 2800 RPMs. Even if you didn't want to go supercharged, the SC block would be the one to start with.

-Steve

[zukibrothers]

Don't do it! Ford's 3.8 isn't there best motor. I'd go with either the gm or get your hands on a 3.7 out of the liberty. Ford 3.8 has some really bad designs and flaws. Trust me, I work on them all the time.

i hear this type of thing alot about various motors(mostly the 2.8 chevy). but what does it really matter. i don't know about you guys, but i really don't put that many miles on my trail zuk.

although i do agree with the head gasket issue. replaced them on my moms mustang 3.8. but other than that, the motor has 235K miles on it and runs excellent.

3.7 out of the liberty, dosn't sound practical to me.

[kingmick217]

I don't know how much Beefier motor that I would need than the 3.8l non-SC... The motor that I have is rated at 120 hp and 205 ft/lbs. Anything more and I would be snapping axles in a hurry, probably will anyway :shaking: .

[jdetar]

Definitely look for the short shaft C4 to use at least the tailshaft assembly. I have a Ford 2.9L piece o' junk in mine and I didn't use the short shaft because I lengthened the body and frame 16" and extended the wheelbase to 100", but if you're not doing that you definitely want the short shaft to help.

[zukibrothers]

pictures of my short shaft c4 in my 4.0 swap. the wheel base is a couple of inches over stock. the tcase is moved back 4" from the stock location. when i had the 2.8 it was moved back 2" from stock.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/668000-668999/668142_59_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/668000-668999/668142_58_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/668000-668999/668142_60_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/668000-668999/668142_61_full.jpg

[kingmick217]

Thanks for the input.

Just out of curiosity, how short is your rear shaft?

I can see that this swap is a bit beyond the capabuilities of my garage. :(
I brought it up at one of the 4x4 shops here in Bozeman and he didn't want to do it either. He did try to sell me an 83 S-10 with a 2.8l, It has a bad tranny so I think I talked myself out of it. :shaking:

I'm not sure what exactly to do now. Maybe I'll go talk to Mike's Off-Road and see if they've got any idea's. :confused:

[kingmick217]

I want to slap the hell out of myself for this, but I can't get it out of my mind. :shaking:

How about throwing on a HUMONGOUS body lift, install the 3.8l and AOD, swap in some geared down full-size axles, put some 38.5's on it, and trim the body to fit. :cool2:

I could move the t-case back, have a short rear shaft without too extreme of an angle, and hope the big tires smooth out the ride. :smokin:

I could roll over an ant and not kill it.... :evil:

there would be a steering issue. :shaking:

damn it I'm think I'm going retarded. :barf:

[Hammy_tn]

when i installed the GM 3.8 i didnt have to move the transfer case but did remake the intermediate shaft. Hammy

[zukibrothers]

when i installed the GM 3.8 i didnt have to move the transfer case but did remake the intermediate shaft. Hammy

have any pictures. can't imagine how you would have done that. is you radiator up front, or did you move it to the back. did you have a intermediate shaft with 1 or 2 ujoints?

[zukibrothers]

Thanks for the input.

Just out of curiosity, how short is your rear shaft?

I can see that this swap is a bit beyond the capabuilities of my garage. :(
I brought it up at one of the 4x4 shops here in Bozeman and he didn't want to do it either. He did try to sell me an 83 S-10 with a 2.8l, It has a bad tranny so I think I talked myself out of it. :shaking:

I'm not sure what exactly to do now. Maybe I'll go talk to Mike's Off-Road and see if they've got any idea's. :confused:

i don't think the ford 3.8 swap would be all that difficult, but if you are doubting your abilities to do it, i would look for a different motor(like the 1.6 16 valve- can't go wrong with that). i also think there are better v6 options than the ford 3.8, not that i feel it isn't a good motor.

as far as length of the rear shaft, i don't remember for sure, would have to measure, but from what i remember it is about 5.5" shorter than a normal c4.

oh and by the way, forget the idea of the a HUMONGOUS body lift. also aod+stock zuki tcase + stock wheelbase = bad driveline angle. that is why i suggested the short shaft c4.

[Hammy_tn]

i have plenty of pics of driveshat and install. send me an email addy. Hammy hammy_tn@charter.net

[LIKES2CRAWL]

1.3 out of the Speacial Edition-- once its built to the NUTZ.
No mater how NUTZY you build the 1.3 it would be cheaper to do a 1.6, 8 valve, or 16 valve and have way more power than the 1.3 could ever have. I thought I could do the same and now I'm kicking myself in the ass wishing I had gone with the 1.6. Just my $.02, good luck with your decisions and let us know what you come up with. Oh yea, and for your trail rig you might wana check into the 2.0 Tracker/ Vitara motor with 125 hp and 135ft/lbs torque. :D

[kingmick217]

It would appear that just locating a suitable 1.6l in the Montana area is easier said than done. Hence, I decided to go for a different motor. I don't think these little motors are worth what some of these rebuilder outfits online are charging for them.

As for the 2.0 Ltr. tracker/vitara motor that would be sweet, if I just wanted to fork over a lot of dough to somebody else. I'm not a Multi-Port-Injection kind of guy and the TT 2.0 Ltr. kit is more than I'd consider spending on a samurai.

[OKIE ZUK]

Hammy, emailed ya. Send pix and I'll post. :smokin:

[hawkdg]

Hi you need to get a c4 with the panfill case you know the dip stick is screwed into the side of the pan it is just alittle over 24 inches. you wont have to move your t-case.