What would your opinion be on using a thunderbird sc motor in my 1950 merc that I am putting together? I have a mark viii motor that I am planning on using but also have had several sc's and know they have great power potential. They just don't have that v8 sound, but the blower whine is pretty cool.
Just wondering!

Thanks
Drew

 

I think it would be a cool project. Since you've had one or more SC's before, then you're probably aware of the issues Ford had with head gaskets on the 3.8 v6. Other than that one 'minor' issue, they're great engines. With the right exhaust system, any engine can be made to sound nasty.

The 32 valve Mk8 engine is very wide, much wider than the engine compartment in a '50 pickup. It'll fit, but with some fairly major surgery to shoehorn it in there. Sometimes you've got to pick your battles. If you really want the big 4 cam engine in your truck and are willing to work for it, it could be worthwhile. It'd certainly be unique.

 

Is that the super charged V-6? They produced about 210 hp but not so much torque. Are you planning on the AOD or the 5 speed?

 

I don't think 315 ft/lbs of torque is too bad from a V6!

The one I drove would break the rear tires loose at 45mph!


I think it would be a cool swap.

 

Thanks for the comments guy's, yeah they are not lacking toruque at all.

Drew

 

Honestly, there would be a certain cool factor, but my son's SC got worse mileage than my other son's Mustang GT with a 5.0. They did have a fair number of problems, too, besides the head gaskets. Check transmission choices before you commit.

 

It would be interesting to see what would have happened if they switched cars for a month. Driving style has a lot to do with wringing mileage out of either car. I know I always had trouble getting decent numbers with any of my 5.0 Mustangs in town, mostly because I liked to keep the revs up in the powerband where it sounded good and was ready to go when I stepped on the gas. 14-17 was typical. On the highway, I could count on at least 25mpg.

 

Wayne, it would have been worse! The son with the SC drove it like... well, me... and the other with the GT never missed a chance to stretch its legs. The problem with SC'd engines is the lowered compression kills non-boosted HP, so you almost have to dip into boost to accelerate. Both were 5-sp's, BTW.

 

you guy's have made some good points. I'm just not sure how it would be accepted I guess. My first car was a 91 sc and I had it until just last year when I parted it out to buy the Merc. I owned it for 16 years and was highly modified with a custom auto rotor twin screw blower and the car made over 400rwhp when I decided I had enough with racing it and wanted to build a truck. I still have a stock 90 with 60,000kms on it though. I guess I just need to decide which motor to use. I think the smart choice would be the 4.6 dohc but it will be more difficult to get it in there or so it seems.

Drew

 

Drew, Here's a little fyi illustration of the size difference between the 351W, the FE (390, et al) engine and the 2 cam 4.6. The MkVIII engine will be even wider still. I think the 3.8 engine is about the same width as the 302, which is a bit smaller than the 351 shown. Not trying to talk you in or out of anything, just sharing info so you know what you'll be up against. Either plan would be cool, imho.

 

Nice drawings Wayne...nothing like a picture to bring home a point.

 

I can't take credit for the drawings, they're just something I found elsewhere and simply sharing. But they are eye opening, for sure.

 

I would encourage it because it's in your possesion, and it's different!
I was gonna put a Buick Grand National 3.8 L turbo intercooled, in my truck and didn't but I didn't have one available.
As far as head gasket problems, isn't there a better quality gasket out there today? There is alot goin on in the world of forced induction.

 

Those are great drwings and thanks fro posting. The dohc's are huge for sure. I have the markviii motor sitting in there now that I posted in anotehr thread but I am still not sure. There really is not issue with the headgaskets on the sc motors if run properly. If you keep them out of detonation and a decent exhaust a stock motor will not have a problem. There are MLS headgaskets and studs available and I know several guys making close to 500rwhp and over 20lbs of boost on them with no issues. I'm just trying to decide which motor would be more interesting or easier to sell if I ever wanted to sell the truck and I think most guys would not be interested in a 3.8 sc motor just because of the bad image they have.
But I appreciate everyones replies and comments.
Thanks
Derw

 

Sir ,I installed a 98 mk111 engine in my 67 FORD XL ,I had to graft a front frame clip from a 93 LINCOLN town car so everything looks like a factory installation, with a 3.70 axle and T45 overdrive it gets 18 to 19 mpg on the highway . The car weighs 4100 lbs .I have a Bassini "X" pipe ,J Bittle shorty headers and mufflers from a GT Mustang & 2.5 exhaust, It really sounds sweet when I nail it through the gears. It sings at 2500 @80.I used a computer from a 98 Cobra and converted it to coil packs and had the computer re-flashed to eliminate the PATS and the cats.Kenny Nunez