2000 dohc engine replacement ??

[jc97sub15004x4]

hey everyone,.. I have 2000 mercury sable, and engine threw a rod.. it's a dohc, 24 valve. I did find a 98 taurus engine. all complete,.. and good.it is 24 valve duratec..
question1.; would it bolt on to the 2000..??was the bottom end changed in anyways,..?? from 98 to 2000..??

question 2.; are the heads same..?? did it change in those years..?? or should I use the ones from the 00 sable..??

question 3.;; would rest of the accessories fit in right places..??
your inputs are appreciated.. thanks in advance.. jc..

[mwt47]

The 2000 year is kind of unique.
The water pump is on the front of the engine vs the back of the engine on other years.
2000 also heas the COP{ Coil on Plug} instead of spark plug wires and a seperate coil pack.

the cams changed as well and use a different timing chain and gears.
I am fairly positive you may have to change all the gears and timing chain.
I am sure with enough tinkering you could make it work but it is not simply a drop in.

[wafrederick]

Easier way instead doing lots of changes is to find one out of a 2000 Sable or Taurus.It may not fit and call a wrecking yard that has a Hollander to make sure for interchange.Remember this,Ford loves doing 6 month changes and this is real dumb.I believe the whole engine/transmission has to come out as an assembly bolted together from the bottom and this is what the book says

[mwt47]

It is much easier to drop the whole drive line as an assembly by dropping the cradle