3.0 vs 3.2

[rlees]

Hi, New member here. lots of cars, new to SHO. The car we got for my son, a 92 mtx is supposed to have had the engine replaced with an engine from an automatic. Are there any visual or numbers ways to verify this. I have been reading about some differences in some parts and want to be sure of what we have. Is there any plus or minus if this is the case.
Thanks for your help

Rick

 

[DJSHO91]

Do a search for 3.2 mtx swap or 3.0 vs 3.2, there is quite a bit of info out there to help.:wave:

 

[93rev2sev]

There are ways to do the swap so that it's almost impossible to tell. Common give aways are...

Is the coil pack tilted or level with the ground (this is just a bracket swap)
Does the oil level sensor come out of the front or the rear of the oil pan?
Does the oil pump have an extension going up the left side? (you'll have to look up pictures of the two ... I'll see what I can find and update my post)
Does the webbing on the front of the block look like this:

or this:
(looking for good picture)

 

[yamahaSHO]

The webbing on the block would probably be the biggest indicator. If you have the webbing, you have a 3.2L. If the webbing isn't there, you have a 3L block, but who knows what is inside the block.

A swap can be done very discretely by swapping just the block and internals (noted by webbing), or can be completely undetectable (without opening up the motor) by boring out the 3L and swapping 3.2L internals in.

For this information, www.shotimes.com is still a good source for research. I'd like to see that site brought back to life with more up-to-date information and a modern look.

 

[rlees]

Thanks for the info. I will go out now and see which engine it really is. The car had a hole in the lower radiator hose from the loose motor mount bolts but it does not seem like the mount was modified. I read some things about different accessory mounts and drive belts. did the MTX use multiple belts? I also read about making a cover for the timing belts. I also read about a head modification. I dont think alot of attention was paid to those things if it was really a 3.2. If it is a 3.2 with alot of hacks I almost think it would be worth finding a 3.0.

Rick

 

[yamahaSHO]

If the short block was swapped (with the 3L oil pump swapped as well), you could completely reuse every original 3L part aside from the block. I do believe that if you use the 3.2L pump, you'll just have gap between some covers.

 

[Mels]

Chances are if someone went through the trouble to swap in a 3.2 it may have been a forum member and the car would have a history here.

Did you buy it locally? If so it's a pretty intimate group here in CT and we may know both the car and previous owner(s)...

Congratulations, by the way, and welcome.

By the by, anyone seen my car???

 

[SHODWN]

Hi, New member here. lots of cars, new to SHO. The car we got for my son, a 92 mtx is supposed to have had the engine replaced with an engine from an automatic. Are there any visual or numbers ways to verify this. I have been reading about some differences in some parts and want to be sure of what we have. Is there any plus or minus if this is the case.
Thanks for your help

Rick

Welcome Rick, who did you buy the car from?

 

[AREA 91]

I can think of 2 ways to detect of it's a 3.0 0r 3.2

"Pump" the cylinder and do the math. This "pump" guage is used in strict forms of racing to detect displacement changes.

The second would be if you had a bore scope. You could remove one of the spark plugs and look at the top of the piston.
If the top of the piston has a raised crown, it's a stock 3.0 piston.
If the top of the piston seems to have a flat crown, it's a 3.2 piston.

 

[rlees]

Hi, I had been passing this car on the side of the road in Ellington for about 4 months a little over a year ago. It had a broken taillight and trim below it, the windshield was cracked and it smoked a little. I think the owners had only had it a couple of years, they didnt look like SHO enthusiasts. I think the prior owner knew what he had and took care of the car. It is a 92 with 97k on it. It had warning lights on, the etac didnt work, no radio and it leaked water. The interior is in very good condition with no rips or tears. The car is Red with a Black interior. We fixed all of the warning lights and etac, it was 2 quart over full on oil and the lower hose had a hole in it where the lower motor mount bolt had worn into it. The bolt was never tightened and was out 1/2 inch. We got this car for my 15 year old son for $300.00. I have restored many cars mostly old Mustang but for the last 10 years it has been British cars. I have an E-Type with a V-12, a 95 XJ12 and a Healey now. I have always liked the SHO and was glad my son liked it.

Where can I find out about other owners or clubs in CT for the SHO.

Thanks again,

Rick

 

[Bob Gervais]

http://www.shoforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38

The NESHOC section of this forum. Not much going on now, but we're working on some plans to get us through the winter months. There's also the Carlisle All Ford Nationals in PA to get ready for, the National Convention is in Dearborn MI this year... Always something going on in the Spring/Summers.

There's quite a few members in CT, looking quickly at a CT map it appears that you're fairly centrally located to most of the stuff that goes on in the NE region. Glad to have you aboard!

 

[Eastcoast SHO]

welcome rick