Thank you Redcompg, that's a much better answer. But I would still like to know what failure modes they have seen. So what makes this any different from the 3.8 Buick engine used in the grand national and regal T type?
regarding the Ford 3.8, yes the head gasket monster is alive and well on those engines, though my 95 Taurus has 175k and been a great engine. My Tbird was a PITA, but running 13psi bone stock with a restrictive exhaust isn't helping along with Aluminum heads and most people's lack of being able to properly bleed the cooling system. We used copper then Comitec (sp) head gaskets and they are much better than the originals. Currently there are several under 10 second cars on the forum and at least 14 that are 12 or under. It's not a bad engine if you know what you are doing. Aluminum headed, sequential fuel injected supercharged AND intercooled from the factory in 1989 no less.
