Blown V6 need some help

I got a 95 Stang and the V6 blew in it on Monday. Ive been trying to find a replacement 3.8L for it but it seems all of the ones I can find locally have head/gasket problems or knock.

Is there any other engine that will just drop in without too much $ spent? I have a carburated 351W and 302ci in the garage but no transmission for them. The car is an Automatic btw.

Ive had allot of conflicting help. Some say the V8 will bolt right up to the motor mounts and tranny but others say it wont.

If ... big if.. The V8 would bolt up to the tranny I'm not too worried about it handling it as i don't race or beat my cars anymore. I admit I used to have some fun in my old stang but not anymore.


I did find a 4.0L out of a 4x4 explorer but I think I would need a new computer/wiring and I'm not sure if it would bolt up.

I would call some local machine shops get a quote on a rebuilt short block and a valve job. With the present fuel cost I would stay away from a V-8.
They can also repair your block if you want to rebuild. This all depends on the condition of your vehicle. You can scrap it and buy a replacement.
You can also look a rusted out vehicles with a good engine.

I don't have the cash for all that. Fuel prices arnt a problem as long as it does not got below 12mpg highway as thats what the vehicle got that I traded for the stang last week.

Ive been looking around like mad. It seems all the 3.8L engines around here that people will sell have just as much wrong or insainly high miles.

The closest affordable 3.8L I could find that was any good was 200 miles away and I had to buy both cars for $600 and I don't even have that plus the cost to get them here. Granted they were both Tbird SC's with 3.8L SC engines.

Call a machine shop and ask if the 302 will bolt up they will tell you.