My car blew a head gasket and iM looking to replace the engine

Tiny
BMASSEK
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 MERCURY SABLE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I have a 3.8 automatic transmission and my head gasket blew so I'm looking for a used but new to me engine. I found a 3.0 automatic with the transmission from a 95 Ford Taurus and I was wondering if I could take both the engine and transmission from the Ford Taurus and just put it into my 93 mercury sable.
Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 7:19 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
I have to be honest, I wouldn't recommend it. The engine and transmission will fit in the vehicle; however, EVERYTIME I see this done, there are problems. The manufacturer's change little things like sensor location or sensor types. As a result, the check engine light comes on and the vehicle won't pass emission inspections. Also, the transmission is a big concern to me. The TCM (trans control module) may not work with the computer in your vehicle.

I'm sorry for the bad news, but if it isn't the same year, make, and model, I don't feel comfortable telling you it will work. Truly, everyone I ever dealt with has had problems. The sad part is, the customer, who usually spends sever thousand dollars for the repair, is left with a vehicle that won't pass inspection so it can't legally be driven on the road.

Let me know if you have other questions or need anything.

Joe
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Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi again. I am sitting here thinking about your problem. Is there a reason why you need the transmission changed? As far as the head gasket, is there a reason it can't be replaced? To be honest, the 3.0L is a great engine. If it has been maintained, replacing the head gasket should get you many more miles.

Let me know.
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Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
BMASSEK
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Because right now I can't Afford the Thousand dollars to get the head gasket set and pay for a head job and all the other miscellaneous things. It would be cheaper to buy a wreaked car with a good engine and transmission so I could just take the engine and transmission and put it in the car so I can get a working vehicle. I understand what you saying but I read that the Ford Taurus and the mercury sable in the years I posted used the same engine and transmission options it's just that the 3.0 and the 3.8 that they use are made by different manufacturers so I was wondering if it was more work than its worth to do that. But just hypothetically if I found a 3.8 with say a manual transmission and the same year group could I take that engine and use it.
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Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I have to say no. As far as the engine and trans, yes, the 3.0L engines are the same size, shape. But as I said, the manufacturer always seem to change things that don't appear to be a problem, but end up causing issues. I'm sorry, I wish I had a better answer. As far as the head gasket, it should be cheaper if you could do it yourself and it would be less work than replacing both the engine and transmission. It's just a thought.
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Saturday, April 5th, 2014 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
BMASSEK
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  • 4 POSTS
Well I was told I would need a head job and I was quoted 450 bucks for that. And that I would need the hundred dollar set of seals and that I would need new head bolts also
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Saturday, April 5th, 2014 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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That sounds correct. Is that more expensive than getting the other car for parts?
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Monday, April 7th, 2014 AT 5:30 AM
Tiny
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At the time yeah. It was only 300 for the scrap car
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Monday, April 7th, 2014 AT 11:52 AM

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