I am not interested in getting into a "spitting match" with anyone,
all I can tell you is this:

Yes you have to consider the cost for the age of the vehicle. Clean inspect and resurface heads, a head gasket set some labor and you have an economical vehicle again, and you know the past history.

Yes, when an engine is run with coolant in the oil it is not good for the bearings, how long is to long or how long has this been happening, who knows.

I know I have (cleaned,inspected,pressure checked and resurfaced) safely saying over 100 pairs of these 3.8 in the past 5 years. Large majority of these are from local Ford or Merc dealers. I can not say for sure, but I rather doubt if any body did anything with the lower end. In the past 20 years I have never ground a 3.8 crankshaft, I have never bore a 3.8 block, I don't recall even selling a complete engine kit. I have welded a number of heads, sold lots of Head Gasket sets, and resurface hundred's of the 3.8 heads.

What I am trying to say is, it is a quessing game on what you should do, it's your money, you know the car, it is a roll of the dice. I have seen MANY of the 3.8 done, and I bet they went thousands of miles since.

I personnelly think it's a good bet from what I've seen. It really depends on how long you have ran it with coolanty in the oil.

Just my opinion!!

 

I would say that is good advise TMI.