1998 Mustang Engine Information – 232 cubic inch V6 (3.8L Ford Essex V6)
The Ford Essex V6
The 3.8 L Essex V6 replaced the 3.3 L I6, as the 3.3 L engine had little demand and was dropped after 1982. The 3.8 liter engine was used from 1983 to 1986, it was then dropped from the Mustang line. It reappears as a Mustang engine in 1994 and is used until 2004, replaced by the 4.0 liter engine in 2005.
The engine got multi-point fuel injection (single port) became standard on the 3.8 L (3,797 cc) V6 in 1988. All applications where the engine was used initially put out 145 hp (104 kW) at 3800 rpm and 215 lb⋅ft (292 N⋅m) of torque at 2400 rpm and this was what was offered in the 1997 Mustang.
Engine Basics
Year
1998
Cylinders
6
Displacement
232 cu / 3.8 liters
Power (hp)
150 hp @ 3,800 RPM
Torque (lb/ft)
215 lb/ft @ 2,400 RPM
Compression
Bore x Stroke
3.81 × 3.39
3.8 Liter Engine Specs
Firing Order: 1-4-2-5-3-6
LH cylinders front to rear: 1-2-3
RH cylinders front to rear: 4-5-6
Valve order left head: E-I-E-I-E-I
Valve order right head: I-E-I-E-IE
Cylinder compression pressure 101 PSI minimum
Spark plugs 1994 & 1995 AWSF44-PP @0.052″
Spark plugs 1996 & 1997 SP-482 @ 0.052-0.056
Spark plugs 1998 SP-482 @ 0.054
Spark plugs 1999 to 2002 SP-482 @ 0.054
Spark plugs 2003 & 2004 SP-482 @ 0.054
Thermostat starts to open 193-200 degrees
Thermostat fully open
Radiator cap pressure: 16
Engine & Other Torque Specifications
All torque specifications provided in this table are those recommended by FORD. If you use special bolts, follow the torque specifications provided by the manufacturer. I recommend that you use the 3 step torque technique where you torque down the bolts in three equal steps. Once you have reached the maximum recommended torque setting, go around one more time. Do not torque in a circular pattern. Always torque cross to cross.