Hi guys,
I have a question. How easy would it be to swap A 3.8 v6 out of a 97 Windstar into an 89 Sable? Are the engines somewhat interchangeable because Sables came with 3.8's as well. I know there different engines and probably different generations. But is it possible? I have a complete windstar for parts so that wouldn't be a problem.
The point of this isn't to go fast but because the Sable needs a new engine. (But it would go a bit faster)
Thanks.

 

Did your Sable originally come with the 3.8? If so, it should bolt right in. My '89 Sable has the 3.0, it won't interchange with a 3.8 without changing the transaxle too. However, having said that and then re-reading your post, I'm not too sure as there may have been some design changes in the 3.8 by '97. Probably not, but I'm just not sure. Sorry not to be of more help, maybe you should post your question in the engine swap forum. -TD

 

The Windstar intake manifold won't fit under the Sable's hood. You need to either swap the intakes, or make a BIG hood scoop!

 

Casey, I thought about that but I'm not the one who's going to be seen driving around a Sable with a hood scoop. It's my dad's car.

Tiger Dan, I can swap anything out of the windstar, would it's transaxles work?

 

It's possible, but I wouldn't swear to it. They both use the same model of transaxle, but whether or not the mounting points are the same, I don't know as I'm just not familiar with the Windstar. I assume by this question that the Sable does have the 3.0? But, since you have to pull the transaxle anyway to get the engine out, the best thing to do would be to pull them both and compare them side by side. Anyhow, one thing I did come across was a recall notice on the '97 Windstar transaxle stating that the the low/intermediate servo cover can come loose while driving, causing ATF to leak out onto the cat. converter. If you do use that trans, maybe you should ask your local dealer about the fix, maybe it's already been done on that vehicle. I sure wouldn't want to put a tranny into my dad's car that could turn him into a rump roast without correcting the problem first! -TD

 

Dan, the tranny's fine right now, any idea how many miles that would happen around. It's got about 100,000 right now.

 

It didn't say on the recall notice, just that it was something that COULD happen.


-TD