Thread: 3.5 - 3.9 Whats the difference?

Up to 1993-4 , effectively none except for the obvious like the bigger piston.
Timing cases etc, again except in early 3.5 the oil pump is smaller.
Just a caveat, I am talking 3.5 from say 1980 or so onwards.

In the unlikely case that you are talking a very early 3.5 there are many differences such as rear main seal, strengthening webs in block, valve sizes blah blah.

Regards Philip A

Thanks Phillip,

the 3.5 is in a 1985 Rangie, condition of the heads (14 head bolts)indicates they were worked on not to many Ks ago.

I was told that the 3.9 is from an 89 model(now also in a 85 -well all over the garage actually), and had been converted to carbies to match the existing LPG installation.

So if the size of pistons is the only difference that rules out salvaging the block and pistons but everything else should be useable if needed


Cheers