engine compatability

[shanwhite]

I have a 1995 Ford Windstar that overheats when running. Have been told that the head gaskets are blown and need new motor. Have a 1996 Ford Taurus engine available that is a 3.0 v6. The van engine is a 3.8 v6. Can I replace the van engine with the Taurus engine??? Have asked several people and been given yes and no answers. One person said one engine has round bolt holes and the other square bolt holes. Is this true? Help!!

[Millermagic]

It wouldn't work without alot of work so no, I can't explain why though.

[dmbrisket 51]

warped heads dont mean new moter

[shanwhite]

Originally Posted by dmbrisket 51

warped heads dont mean new moter

Thank you! I just posted a thread asking this question because after reading several threads I came to the same conclusion. We were told this by a mechanic and my husband said the same thing (didn't have to replace motor), but I figured I would try another source (internet). Do you think you could make some suggestions. Should my husband just buy the book and start from there? It seems like really there is enough info in these forums to do the job.

[dmbrisket 51]

junk heads means junk heads, heads are not cheep, you may have been told new moter because the whole long block assembly could be cheeper then 2 new heads, either way what you were told was wrong by a long shot, if the heads are warped, they need milled, and so does the intake, if they are warped extreamly bad, or to thin to machine, then you need new heads, not a long block, thats the shops way of making money off of you, its deceptive and gives guys like me a bad name. and when you say 'buy the book' what book do you mean? for me to go to one college class (the moter class) i had 2 thick ass books one on valve train (heads) and one for the block/entire engin, a hayns or chitlans is not going to teach him what he needs to know about doing major overhals like this if he doesn't know his way around a wrench

[drdisque]

I believe there were a handful of 3.0 Windstars that seeped out early in production. You'd need to get the ECU and harness from one of those to run a vulcan in your windstar. It would make the van slow as shit and worthless on the used market though.