3.9 Liter V8

[ctrcbob]

It is my understanding that the 3.9 Liter V8 that was used in the Lincoln LS was made in the UK. (Same basic engine as the 4.0 Liter V8 used in the Jaguar "S"). Question is, are there any other FoMoCo cars that used this engine? If not, will this engine be considered a "captive import", and with time, parts be hard to find? What about the 5 speed automatic? Is that also a made in the UK transmission?

Along with the above, and the reason I ask, is that my wife saw a Lincoln LS that had a rear "wing" spoiler on it and she not only liked it, she said that she could go for one of these. Although I normally don't like the looks of the Lincoln LS (cheesbox on a raft), I have to admit that this one did look much better than those without the wing spoiler, so I decided to check out dealer inventories as 2006 is the last year for this car. Not very many in dealer inventories. Also don't like the idea of the battery in the trunk, but better than my buddies Olds with the battery under the rear seat, or another buddies Chrysler with the battery in the left front fender.

One additional thing I noticed was that every one I found is a "Lincoln LS, LS Sport" with the 3.9 V8" Not a V6 to be found (not that I'd want a V6). I understand that there are BIG DISCOUNTS to get rid of these cars.

Also noticed that in every dealer inventory I checked, they are all loaded with Lincoln Zephyrs. They got so many, those Zephyrs are coming out of their ears. Tried to deal on a Zephyr a few weeks ago, and dealers I checked would not deal, saying "how good the car is selling". For what they want, I'd rather wait for the MKZ with the 3.5 engine, but I may pass on that also if the deal is not right. The MKS is out now that it will not have a V8. May as well go for the MKZ as it will have the same 3.5 as the MKS.

[Jessica]

I had one before the Aviator.

The dyno shows what these cars are capable of with no bolt ons, just a little Jerry W. magic.

Not too shabby all stock.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/dyno-ls.jpg

This spoiler?
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/JsLSrear.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/JsLSside.jpg

[JACook]

Question is, are there any other FoMoCo cars that used this engine? If not, will this engine be considered a "captive import", and with time, parts be hard to find? What about the 5 speed automatic? Is that also a made in the UK transmission?
The 3.9 was also used in the "Retrobird", aka 2002-2005 Thunderbird. Captive import? Kinda.
The 3.9 shares no architectural features with any of Ford's "American" modular V8s.

The 5R55S transmission is a different matter. It's being widely used across the Ford product line.
Mustang and Explorer come immediately to mind. The 5R55S traces it's lineage back to the C3
and A4LD, which were built in Bordeaux, France. While Bordeaux also builds 5R55 transmissions, the
5R55S in the Lincoln LS is an American box, built in the same Sharonville, OH plant that built the
transmissions in our MMs.

IMO, the jury is still out WRT the durability of the 5R55S. Being based on the C3, which originally
saw duty in the Pinto, the 5R55S is not as strong as 4R70W. I know Lidio was flogging one pretty
hard to see what it would take to break it. Early reports have been encouraging, but I haven't
heard any recent updates. No news is good news?

[SergntMac]

Jessica...You rock! You go, Girl!

[CRUZTAKER]

I enjoyed th LS.

The only issue I found was weight. The car is just too heavy for the motor given to really get up and go.

I don't believe she had any trouble with for the 4 or so years she had it.

We traded it with 49k and got 17k for it.:eek:

[jerrym3]

I've got an 04 LS Sport 3.9 and a 2003 TBird with the same motor. They both are heavy cars (3,800 pounds each), but I find their performance to be more than adequate.

The LS is the handler of the two. (Battery was placed in the trunks of both cars to assist in 50/50 weight distribution). TBird doesn't handle as well and is not as solid, especially with the hardtop on.

So far, no motor issues at all, but both cars have had to have the transmissions reflashed (the LS at 17 miles) and, in the manual SST mode, the TBird trans would not seize 4th gear either up or down shifting.

But, it was repaired under warranty, and all has been fine since.

I get about 20 mpg average in the Bird, but my wife doesn't do as well in the LS. (Her driving style and love of A/C.)

Both get high 20s on straight highway runs.

At 30K brand new, I thought the LS was a heck of a deal. My son-in-law loves BMWs, and, after a test ride, he could not believe he was driving a Lincoln.

[mtnh]

Chief Bob,

The LS V6 was dropped for model year 2006, thus none in inventory.

Also, from 2003 on, the engines went to variable valve timing, providing a decent margin of extra power over the earlier models.

With the discounts available, an LS is a hard car to pass up, if you add it all together (handling, power, reliability).

Nice info on the powertrain components, Mr. Cook!

Edited in: The battery in the trunk turns out to be no big deal. Mine has been installed and untouched since being assembled at Wixom in september of 1999.

[Larry Staunton]

It would be neat if Ford would make the 3.9 liter V-8 an optional engine for the 500 and Montego.