[lemon]

Hello mustang forum!!
I have a bit of a situation. About 3 years ago my 98 3.8l mustang quit working (I drove it with the following condition until it wouldn't start anymore)... I managed to sputter it down to a mechanic that told me that my head(s) could be cracked and or gasket(s) could be blown but wanted $800 to do the labor to tell me for sure then wanted $1200-$2200 to fix it. Long story short it's sat for 3 years. Recently I decided to give the repair a shot as I'm super bored and I have quit a lot of time on my hands now. I'm not a mechanic, I'm not particularly good at fixing things but heck how much damage can I do to something that doesn't run? So, the reason for my post, after I removed everything from the engine and got the valve covers off I started to take out the valve springs and rods and 1 was loose on each side and the corresponding rod was bent. I've read that there are a few things that can cause this. I haven’t been able to get a pulley puller so I haven't been able to get the heads off just yet but here’s my question. Knowing what I've told you so far which way is looking more cost effective, a replacement engine or a rebuild. I'm not worried about a timeframe really I don't need the car I just want something to do which is why I started tearing it apart in the first place. My wife keeps telling me to get an engine but I kind of would like to rebuild it for the experience and to be able to say I built it. But at the same time I don’t want to dump crazy amounts of money into machine work. Is there anything that is or probably is wrong that a full rebuild kit wont replace. I know I will have to get the honing, port, polish and the heads magnafluxed or w/e they do to check for cracks and warp. This weekend I'll take the heads off and pull the pistons, do you think I'll find head damage from w/e catastrophic event bent 2 push rods is it going to cost MORE to rebuild it? Should I just pick up a rebuilt engine and call it a day?

 

[99OneHorse]

I am by no way a mechanic, but I think it would be cool to build your own engine from the bottom up. However, I know from the research I have recently done it would be more cost effective to buy a new engine. However, you will not get the satisfaction of building it yourself. Depending on the machine shop you use, and what all you want to do with the engine performance it might be better in the long run to build it yourself.

I know if I had the time and knowledge I would love to build my own engine. Then again I would love to drop a bigger engine in right away so I can enjoy it now. Good Luck on whatever way you decide.

 

[lemon]

I did go through a phase of thinking and day dream about the car I could build out of it but it came down to practicality. 10 years ago I wouldn't hesitate to find a way to get 500hp out of it but now days as long as it goes the speed limit and is safe for my kids thats enough for me

 

[shinerstang]

I am by no way a mechanic, but I think it would be cool to build your own engine from the bottom up. However, I know from the research I have recently done it would be more cost effective to buy a new engine. However, you will not get the satisfaction of building it yourself. Depending on the machine shop you use, and what all you want to do with the engine performance it might be better in the long run to build it yourself.

I know if I had the time and knowledge I would love to build my own engine. Then again I would love to drop a bigger engine in right away so I can enjoy it now. Good Luck on whatever way you decide.

That is usually the deciding factor when building motors.......

To the OP, Please just get a new/used motor for it. It will be cheaper in the long run.....

 

[lemon]

So if I do just get an engine what do you think about these? 1998 Ford Mustang Engine (Used 3.8L VIN 4, 8th digit, 6 Cyl, 232 cid) For Sale

 

[lemon]

I took the lower intake off today and the seal is toast it looked like the whole bottom of the seal on the #1 spot was missing. So I will continue to tear into while I wait on my new one but would something like that cause or lead to something that would cause bent push rods? Before it stopped working it would blow white smoke from under the hood somewhere and spew white smoke out of the tail pipe as well as spit and sputter.

 

[b1lk1]

Bent pushrods are usually from either poor maintenance, over-revving or too much high RPM running.

Do not attempt to rebuild an engine if you do not have the know how, you'll just be throwing money away. However, with a good manual, you could buy a remanufactured long block and and install that if you are mechanically inclined and have the tools.

 

[lemon]

I finished the removal today and on the bottom of the of the rightside cylinder betweed cylinders there is a chunk of metal missing Im guessing ordering an engine was the right choice lol

 

[lemon]

Bent pushrods are usually from either poor maintenance, over-revving or too much high RPM running.

Do not attempt to rebuild an engine if you do not have the know how, you'll just be throwing money away. However, with a good manual, you could buy a remanufactured long block and and install that if you are mechanically inclined and have the tools.

Is there such a thing as an install manual, or should I just use my chilton book? As for the reason it's broke I'm not sure I didn't really hotrod, and had my 3k mile oil changes. I bought it because at the time some weeks I was putting 700miles a on my kodiak (8-10mpg OUCH)and wanted something I didnt have to worry about resale value and was better on gas. In the 18months I made the commute in the mustang I put 49k miles on it.

 

[davidcseifert]

Bent pushrods are usually from either poor maintenance, over-revving or too much high RPM running.

uh oh, i keep up with matienence but the other causes you listed well ummm :nono:
i wonder what these things are going to look like when they get pulled out :hihi: how bad would a car run if they where bent?

 

[b1lk1]

A Chilton manual should be a great guide to the install of an engine, especially since you're not in a rush. Use your digital camera and take pictures of stuff you're likely to not remember how to install.

Once you start bending pushrods, you'll get misfiring, roughness, loss of power/mpg. These engines in stock form can only take so much abuse. They are a good engine, but they weren't built to handle constant beating in stock form. Over-revving is a bad idea for any engine.