mythorath
Member
Hello all, here’s the current state of my 02 mustang build.
Non- engine stuff is quick and simple. Everything is stock except the following: Suspension (upgraded shocks / struts, lowered 1”, added rear sway bar), Automatic transmission (modified valve body), Gas pedal modded, and that about it for non-engine related stuff.
The engine is the current project. It’s a stock Ford 3.8L Essex V6. It’s currently out of the car on an engine stand, completely torn down. Found a bit of bearing damage in the engine. All of the rod bearings on the passenger side of the car were semi pitted / scored. I'm thinking the pitting came from dumping coolant in the engine and letting it sit for a month before finishing the tear down. (can coolant do that to a bearing?) I added a pic of the worst bearing, that happens to be missing a chunk as well, next to one of the better looking bearings.
The plan is to stroke it to 4.2L and do whatever else I can think of / afford. So far the only things that’s really been done to the engine is I polished the lower intake runners.
While I would love to do the entire engine at once, I’ll be splitting it into two stages: Bottom end, and top end. The bottom end is what I’m working on first. This includes everything below the heads. Most of the top end stuff will happen after the engine is back in the car. I know I’ll need to get the engine back in the car before I can finish everything, so I plan for 2 stages, but hope for 1.
I need a bit of advice on a few things:
Camshaft:
218 at .050 Intake, 226 at .050 Exhaust, 112 lobe separation
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-44-704-9/overview/make/ford
Think this would be a good cam? Too big, too small? I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to cams.
Pistons / Cylinder bore:
I have no idea what to get. I figure it might be good to get it bored, even a little, to eliminate any sort of ridge that may have formed in the bottom section of the cylinder. I don’t know if this matters, or if the ridge at the bottom is even a thing that happens, but doesn’t the piston go further down into the cylinder when it’s stroked to 4.2? Just don’t want to murder my rings right off the bat.
I’m thinking about over-boring 0.020” – 0.030”, then throwing in some semi cheap hypereutectic pistons from summit. Again, I don’t know if it’s worth it though.
4.2L stroking:
I’m not 100% sure what all I need to make this work. I know I need the crank, don’t know about other parts. I’ve heard 2 different things on this, and can’t seem to find a solid answer.
Path 1: just change crank, and harmonic balancer and reuse everything else.
Path 2: change crank, con rods, pistons, harmonic balancer, flex plate (for auto), and remove windage tray.
Honestly just kind of making it all up as I go at this point, until someone can offer some sound advice.
I added some random pics but don't really know what to show. anyone want to see anything specific? it's just a bunch of parts right now.
Comments, questions, concerns, advice, and criticisms are always welcome.
List of parts I have:
4.2L crankshaft
(wow such a long list…)
Parts I still need:
Pistons
Camshaft
Gaskets / seals
Bearings
Harmonic balancer
Timing chain tensioner
Tuner
Valve Springs
Push rods
Lifters
Lots of machine shop work
More will be added as I remember

Non- engine stuff is quick and simple. Everything is stock except the following: Suspension (upgraded shocks / struts, lowered 1”, added rear sway bar), Automatic transmission (modified valve body), Gas pedal modded, and that about it for non-engine related stuff.
The engine is the current project. It’s a stock Ford 3.8L Essex V6. It’s currently out of the car on an engine stand, completely torn down. Found a bit of bearing damage in the engine. All of the rod bearings on the passenger side of the car were semi pitted / scored. I'm thinking the pitting came from dumping coolant in the engine and letting it sit for a month before finishing the tear down. (can coolant do that to a bearing?) I added a pic of the worst bearing, that happens to be missing a chunk as well, next to one of the better looking bearings.

The plan is to stroke it to 4.2L and do whatever else I can think of / afford. So far the only things that’s really been done to the engine is I polished the lower intake runners.
While I would love to do the entire engine at once, I’ll be splitting it into two stages: Bottom end, and top end. The bottom end is what I’m working on first. This includes everything below the heads. Most of the top end stuff will happen after the engine is back in the car. I know I’ll need to get the engine back in the car before I can finish everything, so I plan for 2 stages, but hope for 1.
I need a bit of advice on a few things:
Camshaft:
218 at .050 Intake, 226 at .050 Exhaust, 112 lobe separation
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-44-704-9/overview/make/ford
Think this would be a good cam? Too big, too small? I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to cams.
Pistons / Cylinder bore:
I have no idea what to get. I figure it might be good to get it bored, even a little, to eliminate any sort of ridge that may have formed in the bottom section of the cylinder. I don’t know if this matters, or if the ridge at the bottom is even a thing that happens, but doesn’t the piston go further down into the cylinder when it’s stroked to 4.2? Just don’t want to murder my rings right off the bat.
I’m thinking about over-boring 0.020” – 0.030”, then throwing in some semi cheap hypereutectic pistons from summit. Again, I don’t know if it’s worth it though.
4.2L stroking:
I’m not 100% sure what all I need to make this work. I know I need the crank, don’t know about other parts. I’ve heard 2 different things on this, and can’t seem to find a solid answer.
Path 1: just change crank, and harmonic balancer and reuse everything else.
Path 2: change crank, con rods, pistons, harmonic balancer, flex plate (for auto), and remove windage tray.
Honestly just kind of making it all up as I go at this point, until someone can offer some sound advice.
I added some random pics but don't really know what to show. anyone want to see anything specific? it's just a bunch of parts right now.
Comments, questions, concerns, advice, and criticisms are always welcome.
List of parts I have:
4.2L crankshaft
(wow such a long list…)
Parts I still need:
Pistons
Camshaft
Gaskets / seals
Bearings
Harmonic balancer
Timing chain tensioner
Tuner
Valve Springs
Push rods
Lifters
Lots of machine shop work
More will be added as I remember




