2000 3.9 V8 needs new engine WHere to find one?

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EBK

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So just got a call from the mechanic and He states both heads need too be rebuild and timing chains replaced along with valves rebuilt. to the tune of $4800 + tax. Figure its cheaper to have a new engine installed. Not sure where to look Called jasper and they don't make 3.9 for Lincoln LS.

Sypmtoms are Knocking from Right hand Cylinder head/ cam area and 70 psi of compression in CYL 4 bank 2 running lean.
Have no idea what caused the issue. Kept it well oiled and maintained. No CEL of any kind until an hour after it started acting up. Kinda Pissed off right now.
 
Get a better mechanic, or you can just call up a local junk yard and swap it out with an engine of lower mileage. I'm not sure if joegr will chime in here, but can he swap in an '03 motor in there? If you can, better go with that since they have a lot less problem than the 1st gen.
 
No, you can't swap Gens' engines. Gen 2 has VVTi (Ford's VTEC), a different PCM charging control scheme, and other stuff. Go for an '02 engine built after 9/02, I believe, to get the upgraded tensioners
 
Thanks i am looking at used engines now. SOme can be found with under 100k miles for 1300 or so and after 900ish for install i am still ahead of the 4800 quoted for rebuilding both heads. and still having 160k miles on the engine.

So an 02 engine with direct swap? if so i think i will look into that
most places are asking for the vin to match engine so not getting an 02 responses
 
EBK said:
Thanks i am looking at used engines now. SOme can be found with under 100k miles for 1300 or so and after 900ish for install i am still ahead of the 4800 quoted for rebuilding both heads. and still having 160k miles on the engine.

So an 02 engine with direct swap? if so i think i will look into that
most places are asking for the vin to match engine so not getting an 02 responses
Click to expand...

Keeping it VIN-matched is them playing it safe. I don't know of any differences between any Gen 1s other than late 02s having metal tensioners, but maybe wait for Joe to give the OK haha
 
LSFrank said:
No, you can't swap Gens' engines. Gen 2 has VVTi (Ford's VTEC), a different PCM charging control scheme, and other stuff. Go for an '02 engine built after 9/02, I believe, to get the upgraded tensioners
Click to expand...

This.
 
Found a Re manufactured 02 engine for $2875 ( roughly what I owe on the car still :-/ ) If it will fit it that is the route I will go but only saves me 1k But will be a brand new engine. Really starting to Hate this car. always wanted one but its one serious problem after another. Firs the transmission now this. Next thing i know i will be going down the street and the whole rear axle will drop out for no reason Swear they made this car to fail, Sadly it WAS a dream car of mine Now its just a nightmare. tempted to park it on the range and blast it full of holes and set the pig on fire.

Traded in a 2005 Hyundai accent for this. Wishing i would have kept the Hyundai
 
Hey at least the Hyundai ran for more than 4 motnhs without blowing the transmission and 8 months without blowing the engine....... that is more than I can say for the LS.

Of course the Hyundai sounded like it was redlining just to maintain 65 miles an hour. Stupid 4 cylinders
 
EBK said:
Have no idea what caused the issue.
Click to expand...

1st gen V8s are know to to have a common problem where the timing chain tensioners wear out, once it breaks, the timing jumps, once the timing jumps so far, the motor starts smashing the valves into the pistons and destroying the heads.

most people are lucky enough to hear the chain making contact with side before it gets to the hulk smash stage... could have saved you a little bit if yours had.
 
EBK said:
Hey at least the Hyundai ran for more than 4 motnhs without blowing the transmission and 8 months before blowing the engine....... that is more than I can say for the LS.

Of course the Hyundai sounded like it was redlining just to maintain 65 miles an hour. Stupid 4 cylinders
Click to expand...

Yes, but the problems on the LS can be fixed. The Haiundee is all it will ever be. Sure, you can strap forced induction on that 4-banger, and it will quickly start shooting little bits of hamster out the exhaust like some kind of mechanical Richard Gere.
 
So do both sides have to be rebuilt if it only happened on one side?
Because the Guy at eh shop said both sides would need it even though it was just the Passenger side
 
1LoudLS said:
1st gen V8s are know to to have a common problem where the timing chain tensioners wear out, once it breaks, the timing jumps, once the timing jumps so far, the motor starts smashing the valves into the pistons and destroying the heads.

most people are lucky enough to hear the chain making contact with side before it gets to the hulk smash stage... could have saved you a little bit if yours had.
Click to expand...


Nope no indication whatsoever. Ran fine to the mall. After picking up some ammo and a few AR parts hopped back in started it up Idle was lumpy and knocking sound. Shut car off and had it towed to shop. now this
 
EBK said:
So do both sides have to be rebuilt if it only happened on one side?
Because the Guy at eh shop said both sides would need it even though it was just the Passenger side
Click to expand...

Assuming a tensioner broke on one side, the assumption is that the other side isn't far behind.

Here's an idea... What if you buy a cheaper <9/02 engine and the upgraded tensioners, and have them installed before putting the engine in the car? Valve cover work would be a lot easier outside the engine bay and might save you $1000... Could throw in new cooling components too

Are there any late-02 upgrades besides tensioers?
 
I know where there is a brand new never-fired 1st GEN motor sitting. in Canada though but price was 1800$ or BO.

00 V8 motor, would need upgraded tentioners for sure.
 
3 Option available to me
1 have them rebuild both heads and what not for $4800 not including taxes
2 Buy a Remanufactrued 2002 engine for 2875 and installed for another 1k or so total of 3810 not including taxes
3 eat the loss and ride the bus/walk till I pay off the car (about $2800 as I bought it less than a year ago.) that no longer runs then sell it to junk yard for whatever they will give me. SUppose i could just Do an epic burn out till the tires blow or the engine which ever comes first just to get SOME fun out of it

Since I make just under 11 bucks an hour I suppose I better look into bus passes. I guess its true, Never own your dream car.
 
BigRigLS said:
I know where there is a brand new never-fired 1st GEN motor sitting. in Canada though but price was 1800$ or BO.

00 V8 motor, would need upgraded tentioners for sure.
Click to expand...

are they willing to sell? got some contact info. IF i am going to shell out another 4 grand i might as well just get another used car. I can link to at least 3 2nd gen LS for around 5 k right now ( not that i would buy another one after the trouble with this one). so 3 grand for a reamnufactured engine seems insane to me.
 
^ I'll PM you the info.
It's located in Canada though and I just double checked they are asking 2000$ CDN or Best Offer.
Which is currently $1669 USD at this weeks rate.


$_20.JPG


Shipping US from Canada is gonna hurt for sure!

GL

$_20.JPG
 
well that's it. Going to Drive this POS on 7 cyliders till the whole engine blows. Not worth the money they want to fix it. Never going to buy another LS ( think it stand for lincoln SH8t) again. it was a dream car only to find out they are the biggest piece of crap to come off any assembly line.

Any one want to trade for a 79 pinto just keep in mind you are getting the short end of the stick.

The LS has Officially killed my interest in cars. I honestly wish I would have kept the 2005 Hyundai Accent I traded in for the LS. Sure it felt like I would be run over on the highway every time I was near traffic and took a half hour to get to 60 but the damn thing worked.
 
$20 says it just a broken (or sliped) secondary chain and tensioner... could be up and running for less then $200.

Or blow it up, thats the smart thing to do (like financing a 15 year old car)
 
G-RELL said:
$20 says it just a broken (or sliped) secondary chain and tensioner... could be up and running for less then $200.

Or blow it up, thats the smart thing to do (like financing a 15 year old car)
Click to expand...
so that is what cased the vavle to burn out.... a slipped tensioner. All without even looking at the car. you must make millions in auto repair and diagnostics since you are such a genius.

yes i had to finance the car as not everyone has 5k in funds at the drop of a hat to buy a car. But im sure that has never crossed your elitist mind.
 
your info is coming from your "mechanic"...

I bought an ls with a "blown motor" (same symptoms...knock, low compression..only mine would not run) ....knowing this issue is common, One tensioner, chain and gasket later....had better compression then my LS now.

Sorry your LS is down, but to scrap this one, or trash all others over something thats worth a second opinion (or looking into it yourself) doesn't seem to top the genius list.
 
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