3.9 Rebuild Options

Easiest way to check the heads is look for 4 headbolt holes on the outside edge of the head. If you have 4 bolt holes, its an early type 38cc(?) head, if there is no headbolts there, its the later.

Chip is the key, but Mike90RR and myself are looking at particular injectors at the moment too.

Doing the assembly yourself and buying your own parts, you might get change form $2500 depending on what you buy.

Basic long motor rebuild by engine shop, put in yourself maybe $3-3,500

Installed..........

Cheers

Andrew

Andrew
Do you mean to rebuild the 3.9 as 3.9? Thanks I will check the head.
I am thinking of taking the top off and seeing if a head job is all that is needed. I did not do it in the car as selling and easier and cheaper to buy another car for parts.
Now I have a Rangie as well that needs a gear box and considering turning it from injected 3.5 to 3.9. The 3.5 has done 65k but sat a lot. SO not worn out just like more power hence considering what else I can throw in that does not require huge mods and maybe involves the 3.9 - trying to avoid time and huge expense but don't mind learning something new in the process.
However the rangie is just for play and thee are other toys I need the cash for. Keith

i am currently rebuilding a 3.9 only intended on doing the heads as had low compression on one bank but as i took more off found more wrong.
the final straw was the timing gear teeth in the sump
now the engine is stripped on the bench and im trying to find the best place to get replacement parts.
just doing the top half is pretty cheap i managed to get a vrs kit for $190

does anyone know where to get an after market cam to get better torque?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by D4VE

i am currently rebuilding a 3.9 only intended on doing the heads as had low compression on one bank but as i took more off found more wrong.
the final straw was the timing gear teeth in the sump
now the engine is stripped on the bench and im trying to find the best place to get replacement parts.
just doing the top half is pretty cheap i managed to get a vrs kit for $190

does anyone know where to get an after market cam to get better torque?

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YES!! i just got a cam CUSTOM ground from brand new billit. i spicified a camshaft for high torque cost was expecting maby 500-800 but it only cost me 214 $ australian. i got it from wade camshafts in victoria australia phone number (95680333)

i have not put mine in yet, i have got all my parts from the uk and am getting my block bored and heads shaved. going for a 10.5 : 1 ratio, it runs on lpg. changed the pistons, and ported the heads :)
btw the camshaft is only one week turn around even if they dont have the billit in stock !! let me know if you have any questions. cheers. jeff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LOVEMYRANGIE

Easiest way to check the heads is look for 4 headbolt holes on the outside edge of the head. If you have 4 bolt holes, its an early type 38cc(?) head, if there is no headbolts there, its the later.

Chip is the key, but Mike90RR and myself are looking at particular injectors at the moment too.

Doing the assembly yourself and buying your own parts, you might get change form $2500 depending on what you buy.

Basic long motor rebuild by engine shop, put in yourself maybe $3-3,500

Installed..........

Cheers

Andrew

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hi, i just bought engine parts from the uk, to do block and head.
parts list cost, pistons delivered 20 over with rings, 550 au

full gasket
precision main stud kit
water pump
main berings
cam bearings
rod bearings
lifters
push rods
16 over sized valves
high lift springs
valve guides and seals
20 head bolts strech
exhust gaskets

total cost after delivery and customs fee 1600 $ au

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GuyG

My 3.9 went through this exercise a couple of years back - there is a thread on here about it. Mine was rebuilt with a torque cam and higher compression pistons. The engine which came out was in a pretty bad state - we didn't realise how bad until we had already had the heads reconditioned, so were already too far into the rebuild to through it out and start again.

First step is probably to strip it and get everything checked for hardness etc, mine was reheat treated twice to get it to the correct hardness:eek:

Prices for alternate engines have come down greatly in price and may be a cheaper option than rebuilding the 3.9

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what compression ratio did you get it changed to ? how dose it run now ? cheers,