Anyone got a spare V6? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

DEANO3528 · 03-09-2002, 11:10

Hi all, I'm on the cadge!
Last weekend little bro' blew the lump in his 1990 Granny Scorchio. Not took apart yet, but it sounds expensive, like valves hitting pistons at a guess. Also the oil light is on, so i reckon the pump drive has gone to lunch, which probably started the whole shebang.
So firstly, has anyone got a 2.9 lump, going cheap or if we get desperate, does anyone know for certain whether a 2.8 would fit and accept the ancillaries(manifolds, air con, etc)?
TIA

fordsierra4x4 · 03-10-2002, 10:32

The thing about the 2.9 litre engine is the fact that the camshaft is chain driven from the crankshaft, even though its an OHV engine. The 2.8 engine isnt too different, but would be more trouble than its worth, seeing as the camshaft on the 2.8 is gear driven from the crank, has a different inlet manifold, camshsaft and the exhaust manifolds have only 2 ports, instead of three like the 2.9. Air con saps power from the engine like a bitch, so discharge the system and junk it before it becomes too much of a pain in the ass - you'd have to junk it if you fitted a 2.8 anyway. As far as i can gather, if you're in the US - finding a 2933cc Cologne V6 lump is HARD. However, if like me you live in europe, then goto www.specialisedengines.co.uk for more information.

Kai

DEANO3528 · 03-10-2002, 11:19

Thanks for that mate. I was under the impression that the cam was gear driven like the smaller ones. Live and learn, I guess.
2.8 doesn't seem like a serious contender then, I'll just have to keep my ears open for a 2.9 then.
Cheers

DEANO3528 · 05-04-2002, 13:55

OK, an update!
Actually got round to having a look at it today.
Inside, the engine looks as tho' coated in tar, or black plastic. It's been regularly svcd too. I've seen neglected engines, and they don't look like that.
Anyhow, got the top off, expecting a loose seat, after conferring with a chap who races them.
Head is fine, rocker assemblies and valves etc, all good.
Now I'm puzzled????????
So I think to myself, maybe the piston is cracked, or rings gone, tho' it wouldn't account for the god-awful tapping noise.
So I give the piston a wiggle to check for side to side movement....

....and it promptly dropped down to the bottom of the cylinder!
I wonder if this is anything to do with the problem?
So it's def. engine time, or sell it with dead engine.
Anyone know what it's worth?
1990 Granny Scorpio, all the toys and all except the a/c work fine(hole in rad let all the gas out). Leather int. excellent sound system(std), all in all a bl@@dy nice motor......
......it just don't go!

fordsierra4x4 · 05-04-2002, 14:52

Well, the 2.8i engine is a good engine, and on the granada, it was the only 2.8 with a full EFi system, rather than a single Solex carb or K-Jet MFi. Rebuilding the Cologne V6 engine is fairly easy, although mind you, i've rebuild about 17 by now :)

Its easier to find a 2.8V6, so a straight swap wouldnt be too difficult, whereas the 2.9 requires a new loom, ecu and fuel tank/pump (depends on model).

If the piston went straight to the bottom of the block, then it means that (obviously) the con rod has sheared off. The bore could simply be taken out to another 0.5mm for only �60 if you take just the bare block into a machinists, like Specialised Engines in Essex, and a new set of pistons is only about �280. So all in - you'd be looking at �350 all in, for a recon engine.

Alternatively....the XR4x4 breakers in southend on sea usually have around 20 engines in stock ready built and tested for �200 inc VAT, although these have NOT been reconed and are not guaranteed to run for longer than 2000miles. If you do want to scrap the car, i'd be interested in the Loom, ECU, Injectors, AFM's, Airbox, Inlet Plenum & manifold (ie, the whole injection system).

for any more info - you can register on www.xroc.net/forums - the XR owners club bulletin board, surprisingly, i carry the same 'nick :)

Kai

DEANO3528 · 05-04-2002, 15:33

Chers Kai, appreciated.
I'll do some nosing around. It seems a shame to break it, it's in good nick.
I remember you saying that the 2.8 is not such a good idea in this car, which is why I haven't pursued that avenue, any further.
We wouldn't mind breaking it up, or just scrapping it whole, if it was a donkey, but as I said earlier, it all works, even the trip computer is spot on.
Could chuck the cologne away and put a v8 in it I suppose, that'd make it grunt. By my handle, you should be able to spot my affiliation.
Burble, burble! :o)

fordsierra4x4 · 05-04-2002, 16:56

Well i was assuming you meant the 2.8 in STANDARD trim. 150bhp is okay, but its a pain in the ass when it goes wrong - like your situation :)

The simplest thing for you to do is get the cylinder heads ported and polished, a rebore and a new set of pistons. The damaged piston will have undoubtedly caused some damage to the bore - so it might be worth investing in a recon 2.8 lump as previously suggested.

There is another option....the 4.0Litre Ford Explorer engine, which is the same cologne engine, but with 3-port cylinder heads. Plus its 4-litre, and it'll accept your existing EFi system :)

there are LOADS of Explorer 4x4's with shagged everythign else - mainly due to lots of them being mounted on a kerb and toppling over, because ford USA got this particular 4x4 WRONG for the UK market - VERY VERY WRONG!! :)

Kai