[heyphilbert]

I came across an 89 Ford Taurus SHO with engine intact this weekend at my local scrap yard.

Anyone know anything about these? Did Ford really build these motors? Displacement? Bell housing bolt pattern? Ease and cost of repairs and rebuilds (are SHO costs prohibitive?)?

Should I run away or snag it for a future project?

[mustang66maniac]

coooool engine, 8000rpm redline, dual stage manifold, DOHC, 24valves, 220hp200ftlbs. infront of a 5speed.. The only thing ford did bad with this engine is they put itin a heavy ***** four door sedan. But still it went 0-60 in 6.4 secongs and and had a top speed of 140 Heads are made by yamaha, the rest is made by ford. Its displacement is 3.0 liters. Im not completely sure, but unless you get a special bellhousing i think you can only use a front wheel drive tranny because the bellhousing bolt patterns are different. At least thats the way it is with the 3.8 liters in mustangs vs taurus'.

I definatley think you should keep it, i don't know if its expencive to rebuild, but if you put it in a smaller car, you would have something thats definately different while still being fast and cool.

check this link out <a href="http://formen.ign.com/news/20830.html" target="_blank">http://formen.ign.com/news/20830.html</a>

[4 Jaw Chuck]

My Dad has a 94 ATX SHO and I am in the process of fixing it as we speak, these folks are assisting me with all my questions. Check out the FAQ section for answers to your questions.

[455poncho]

I owned a '93 SHO, loved it!!! The 5 speed versions were 3.0 liter, the auto's were 3.2 to make up the difference in power loss through the drivetrain. Saw a '32 streetrod at the Charlotte Autofair with a SHO engine, sounded cool and looked good!!!!! They ain't cheap for parts though, but a very strong, dependable motor for it's size. Makes a interesting combo of old meets new in a rod. BE DIFFERENT, BUY IT!!!!

[crshrmn3]

Here's a link to a page about putting SHO engines in all sorts of cars. At the very bottom there's an link for an SHO powered street rod how-to.
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/jbunting.geo/SHOPowered.html" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/jbunting.geo/SHOPowered.html</a>

[ripple]

Originally Posted by heyphilbert

Anyone know anything about these? Did Ford really build these motors? Displacement? Bell housing bolt pattern? Ease and cost of repairs and rebuilds (are SHO costs prohibitive?)?

crated in completely built with the wiring harness from japan. 181 or 192 CID, cylinder bore increase only. repairs really are not that bad, parts are available at most parts stores, but it does have a solid-lifter cam that will need service every 60K. don't pay more than $300 for it, as they are very abundant.

it has the same bolt pattern as the 3.0L Vulcan so any rear drive Vulcan tranny will work. I believe the hot ticket is an stick shift aerostar removable bellhousing (Vs. cast to the tranny) with a mustang T-5 and a hybrid SHO/mustang clutch.

there are a few tune-your-own chips for this engine/computer that will allow for any kind of modification down the line, even supercharging past 200% load

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.p...light=aerostar
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.p...light=aerostar
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.p...light=aerostar

[DHMag]

parts are not cheap nor plentiful. typically, youll have to order an alternator from your local parts store. in the last few years, Ford has obsoleted a majority of its engine parts. even the original double platinum Motorcraft plugs have been superceded to an inferior plug. dont even think about transmission parts. redline is 7300 ONLY to save the accessories.

engine is based on a 3.0 Vulcan block but completely designed and built by Yamaha. but its unpractical to bolt the engine to any other FWD transmission. the forced induction guys have a hard enough time keeping 3rd gear in one piece, and even a few 2nd gears. weak link in the SHO engine is the rod bearings. if you buy it, replace the bearings (Clevite P/N CB1435P), fill with fresh fluids and run it hard. these engines love sustained high RPMs.

the key to keep a SHO motor running good is proper maintainance. my friend is the original owner of a 1991 SHO with documented over 300K miles on it with only regular oil changes and the original rod bearings replaced somewhere around 220K miles.

there is a guy in Arizona that runs 3.2l SHO powered dune buggies. there is also a guy in Denver that has a supercharged SHO. i am personal friends with 2 guys referred to as the "Texas Supercharged SHO Boys." one car makes around 550hp and the other is around 475hp. in Oklahoma, there is a turbo SHO who also makes wicked power.

being a former owner of a 91 SHO, i will say i miss the car simply because i loved to drive it. what i dont miss are the prices for parts. it may have been a heavy Taurus, but the look on the face of the guy you just smoked in your "Taurus" is priceless.

Dale