I've recently become the owner of an '86 Aerostar with the 3.0l V6 and 5-speed stick. I bought it for $250 and drove it the 100 miles home with no problem, although the oil pressure gauge was VERY low the whole drive. The engine didn't make any overly bad noises before, during, or after the drive, and does't seem to burn or drip much oil. I'm going to put an aftermarket oil gauge on it first, but it does have either 191k or 291k miles on it. So assuming that the engine is shot, it seems like finding a used engine will be my best plan. What years of the 3.0 will work in this van with it's manual transmission? Can I use one from a Taurus, Ranger, Mazda?
Also, can I gain any time with oil treatments, synthetics, etc? Everyone I talk to has a suggestion on this subject. Thanks!

 

rosett,

First of all.... welcome to the FTE Aerostar forum. Great bunch of people on this forum to help you solve about any Aerostar problem.

That said, check the oil pressure first, the original oil pressure "gauge" is simply a on/off switch and not a true pressure gauge. You might have a wiring problem rather than low pressure. The 3.0 and 4.0 L engines are darn durable critters and will take a lot of abuse before finally giving up.

 

If this is 3.0 - yes, but they have different manyfolds, air intake, head covers, alternator mounting, PS pump mounting and some other parts so you are to swap them if you'll get FWD appl. engine. People say that they had different head gaskets (to make coolant flow optimal for FWD application), but you may leave stock FWD gaskets....

To swap air intake you are to pull valve lifters.... So get upper gasket kit if you'll get FWD engine. Change front and main seals too. And I advice you to change water pump and chaine, becouse when engine is not in doghouse it is less then a half of hour. Change spark plugs too. Aero doghouse in not roomy and I think it saves some blood.

Newer 3.0 have MAF. Your has MAP, so vac. centers are different anyway so use your stock one. With new engine (EEC-iV ore OBD-II EEC-V) you can use IAC, IAT, ECT (but not dashboart coolant temp sensor), and PCV valve.

Well, if you'll get OBD-II engine yow will swap all emission parts and change CKP with distributor.

But be sure you have 3.0. Early aeros had 2.8 Cologne (whell known here by Scorpio and Sierra). This engine is interchngeble with 2.9 and 4.0.

Ouh, you need a small pilot bearing (21x15mm). It is not used with auto, do not forget it ore tranny may be destroed in some miles.

All 3.0 Flywheels are interchangeble. You may use new type starter with perm.magnets ore old one. Be sure drive gear is 1" 9teeth.

Well, get donor engine, post pics here, and I'll tell you what parts to change, what not.

Belive me it is easy. You'll do this swap in one weekend

 

Welcome!

The 3.0L vulcan block has not change throughout it's life so you can just transfer your accessories over to your new (used) block and bolt it right up.

 

Well, I am a pretty happy camper right now.
I let the van sit for awhile, because I was busy with other stuff, and more than alittle afraid that the engine was shot, but today I bought a real oil pressure gauge. I hooked it up, and I have about 45 pounds of oil pressure at idle, after it's warmed up.
Not too bad for a $250 van!
Thanks for the advice, everybody. I'm sure that I'll have more questions later.