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Topic: Tbird heads (Read 1433 times) previous topic - next topic

Tbird heads

Just wondering if it is possible to put 4.0L head on my 3.8 or does anyone have a set of 3.8 heads? Would it be simpler if i were to drop a 302 instead?? what are your thoughts...
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:birdsmily:

Tbird heads

Reply #1
I don't think they fit. What year 3.8? If it's 88 it's more different than all the others.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Tbird heads

Reply #2
I'd be a whole lot simpler to swap to a 5.0 than try to use a 4.0 head on a 3.8(in other words that ain't happnin')... Unless you access to 5.0 parts Bird, I wouldn't even consider that option as individual pieces are getting harder to locate...

Tbird heads

Reply #3
I just did a v6 to v8 swap in an 88 tbird. The motor was an 87 tbird motor. With a 88 v8 engine harness everything plugged and played. It was not an easy swap, but mostly because i'm 18 and didn't really know what to do.

If your car is an 88 v6 and want v6 heads, let me know, I have the ones off my v6 engine.


Tbird heads

Reply #5
Wow those 88 heads are rare? That's funny cause last summer I pulled a perfectly good set and no one wanted them so I sold them as s aluminum. Sucks to be 88 3.8 owner I guess.

Stuckman
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Tbird heads

Reply #6
Yes, the '88 has sefi, where as the '87 and older 3.8 engines were cfi (throttle body)

Unless she's getting the heads from someone who pulled a good motor and replaced it with a V8..i'd be leery...too many overheated engines t risk buying bad heads...I've got 3 sets of 3.8 heads, and none of them are any good.

You may be better off replacing the whole engine with another '88 long block, I see one on ebay all the time. Try craigslist too.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Tbird heads

Reply #7
I'd just get the newer mustang block and use all the stock electronics.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Tbird heads

Reply #8
Quote from: ipsd;268544
Wow those 88 heads are rare? That's funny cause last summer I pulled a perfectly good set and no one wanted them so I sold them as s aluminum. Sucks to be 88 3.8 owner I guess.

Stuckman


Tell that to my girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just enjoyin the ride!!!!

Tbird heads

Reply #9
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you get SEFI V6 3.8L heads off any 88-94ish Tbird or cougar?  If so, there is about a 12 sets at the PickNPull here.  I have a set of SC Heads in my garage if you wanted to add a little boost (eg, they will drop your compression so you can run more boost).

Tbird heads

Reply #10
4.0 no but the 4.2 heads are a bolt on.  The 4.2 liter engines from the Ford trucks.  I don't know what the advantage is except maybe bigger valves.
Armed Forces Car Club
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Tbird heads

Reply #11
Quote from: jpc647;268512
If your car is an 88 v6 and want v6 heads, let me know, I have the ones off my v6 engine.


Thank you for your input...  I've got the 88 bird V6 :hick:
 Just curious as to if you are willing to sell, do they need to be machined, where are you shipping wise...? What about a cost?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:birdsmily:

Tbird heads

Reply #12
Quote from: tbirdsps;268611
4.0 no but the 4.2 heads are a bolt on.  The 4.2 liter engines from the Ford trucks.  I don't know what the advantage is except maybe bigger valves.

The advantage to using a 4.2 is that it's...well, a 4.2 ;)

Lotta work, I think JeremyB is doing this...??

/end hijack
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Tbird heads

Reply #13
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;268628
The advantage to using a 4.2 is that it's...well, a 4.2 ;)

Lotta work, I think JeremyB is doing this...??

/end hijack


I think he is just referring to swapping heads.  To get the benefits of a 4.2 you would need the entire engine. 

Perhaps you can have the heads decked a few mills to bump compression a bit.  Run premium gas + few degrees of timing = more umph.  Aluminum ports easy too.  You could grab a set from a JY for a couple bucks and try porting them. 

Go here http://www.v6power.net/ and read up about some v6 lovers.

The most Wow/$ I have ever gotten is from swapping gears.

Tbird heads

Reply #14
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;268555
Yes, the '88 has sefi, where as the '87 and older 3.8 engines were cfi (throttle body)
.



NO IT IS NOT:D

the appearance can be misleading.

1988 3.8 L engine 6 injectors (batch fire)
inj 1,2,3, pin 58eec to cyl 1,2,4 respectively
inj 4,5,6, pin 59eec to cyl 3,5,6 respectively
*inj 1,2,4 fire on first shot
*inj 3,5,6 fire on second shot


1982 - 87 3.8 L engine CFI (Bank fire) including some earlier 5.0's
(larger CFI which is a nice mod to a 3.8 and bolts right on)
inj 1 , pin 58
inj 2 , pin 59


SEFI would demand an eec control ground / pin for each and every injector as is the 5.0 / 5.8