1995 SHO 3.0 Engine Rebuild VIN U vs. VIN Y

[Juan DelCastillo]

I recently bought a green SHO in great condition but it has a rod knock. I bought another engine for it but I want to open up the bores by .040.

The issue I'm having is when I look for engine rebuilding kits for this car, I can buy the oversized pistons as long as the engine code is U on the VIN (which I found out means automatic transmission). Mine is a VIN Y (manual trans) and they don't have them available.

My question is: What is the difference between the two engines? Shouldn't the engines be the same no matter what trans you bolt on to it? Why can't I find oversized pistons for the VIN Y?

I never was a Ford guy but the fact that this car has the most interesting engine and it's a manual...I had to buy it!

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Irish Pride]

VIN Y denotes 3.0 liter which is what came with the manual trans. VIN P denotes 3.2 liter which is what came with the auto trans. The 3.2 liter has thicker cylinder walls which allow you to bore out to 3.3 or 3.4 liter. The 3.0 block has thinner cylinder walls and you cannot bore it out. If you want to go with oversize pistons you will need to start with a 93-95 3.2 liter block. It might actually be 94-95 but I can't remember.

 

[rubydist]

3.0 pistons are 3.5023-3.5035" bore
3.2 pistons are 3.6205-3.6217" bore

So, no they are not the same. The difference in the displacement of the motors is in the bore.

 

[Juan DelCastillo]

3.0 pistons are 3.5023-3.5035" bore
3.2 pistons are 3.6205-3.6217" bore

So, no they are not the same. The difference in the displacement of the motors is in the bore.

Thanks for the info. I kept seeing rebuild kits for the 3.0 that said I can get oversized pistons, but that was for the OHV non-SHO engine. Thanks again!

 

[Irish Pride]

I seriously doubt you will find any rebuild kits for the SHO motor. Head gaskets for the 3.2 are pretty much impossible to get.

 

[zoomlater]

Aftermarket 3.2 head gaskets are available on the Shosource website

 

[Irish Pride]

Yeah, but I haven't heard any feedback as to how those Cometic gaskets work. Don't know if anybody has used them yet. I have a set of Felpro 3.2 gaskets that are going on my 3.3 very soon. I've had them stored away for a few years now.

 

[zoomlater]

Shamwow (MetSHO Lemons car) installed a set on a boosted car last year. Have yet to hear how it held up after one season

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/installed-arp-studs-and-a-cometic-gasket.134576/#post-1467318

You are right, all these years I have owned a SHO, I can count on one hand how many FORD/Felpro/Etc. 3.2 gaskets have come up for sale and it is usually just one