gravytrain
New member
My mother just sold her 2008 4Runner, and is considering using some of the money to fix up her beloved 1989 Mercury Cougar, which she bought new. She has a sentimental attachment to it, as it was her first new car.
The car has the notorious 3.8L V6, famous for head gasket problems. After about 195K miles, the head gasket went out, so it has sat for the past 2 1/2 years. I've had a couple of Continentals with the same engine, but never had a problem with either of them.
Question is: is it worth it to replace the engine, and if so, would some of the later 3.8's be more reliable, or were the head gasket problems common throughout the entire production run of that engine? Or are there any reasons you couldn't use a later 3.8? She's considering buying a rebuilt engine at the moment.
Just curious as to whether anyone had any ideas. Don't know if it's a waste of money to even do this, or what. She got 20 years out of the first one, so I think it would be worth it, especially as she adores the old car (and cosmetically it still looks near new). I have a few shop friends I'm asking as well. Thanks in advance.
Should also have mentioned that overhauling the engine she has was another option, but I don't think that would be feasible, as it was driven a considerable distance after the head gasket blew.
@Windowphobe - I'm not familiar with the "Essex" term. I agree, it's a good car, has somewhere around 195K, and it's her baby. I'm all for her fixing it, and I think you're right, drop another engine in it and keep on truckin! Thanks for the response!
The car has the notorious 3.8L V6, famous for head gasket problems. After about 195K miles, the head gasket went out, so it has sat for the past 2 1/2 years. I've had a couple of Continentals with the same engine, but never had a problem with either of them.
Question is: is it worth it to replace the engine, and if so, would some of the later 3.8's be more reliable, or were the head gasket problems common throughout the entire production run of that engine? Or are there any reasons you couldn't use a later 3.8? She's considering buying a rebuilt engine at the moment.
Just curious as to whether anyone had any ideas. Don't know if it's a waste of money to even do this, or what. She got 20 years out of the first one, so I think it would be worth it, especially as she adores the old car (and cosmetically it still looks near new). I have a few shop friends I'm asking as well. Thanks in advance.
Should also have mentioned that overhauling the engine she has was another option, but I don't think that would be feasible, as it was driven a considerable distance after the head gasket blew.
@Windowphobe - I'm not familiar with the "Essex" term. I agree, it's a good car, has somewhere around 195K, and it's her baby. I'm all for her fixing it, and I think you're right, drop another engine in it and keep on truckin! Thanks for the response!