Well, we're past the point of no return (my dad came over to give me a hand). There is a ton of "stuff" bolted to and stuck on the top of that engine! We got the intake manifold off tonight, exhaust and heads scheduled tomorrow. Did find some interesting things: 1)PCV hose softened and sucked shut...funny part was it looked fine from the front! 2)Had to make a tool to disconnect the fuel lines from the fuel rail. 3)The quick connect fitting (intake to heater core) was a bugger to get loose! 4)Bad sections in both intake gaskets near the water jacket ports. In fact, #4 intake was sucking coolant, can see an area where the deposits have been cleared away in the intake port. Inside the block looks pretty good, oil color and odor seem normal. The engine has had four of the Fram oil filters (with teflon additive) in it's lifetime, so I'm going to gamble and leave the bottom end alone...mistake? Any last minute suggestions anyone?

My 88 Couger 3.8 blew the head gaskets at 140,000 miles, I did the job myself and Im not the best mechanic. I didn't touch the lower end. She's still running great three years later with 162,000 miles and the engine has never been touched except for the head gaskets. Andy 88 Cougar, 96 Aerostar & 55 For Ranch Wagon

From my experience, if the engine has been ingesting coolant the con rod bearings and possibly the main bearings might have been scored. You can read about what happened on my site at www.geocities.com/tekyle2000/id46.htm Tom K.

dealer warranty

Does any body have the information on this warranty, I would like to go to the dealer armed.... It makes for a much easier assault....   Jason 97 Windstar 98K (All AutoBahn)