1983 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.

Engine Basics

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
• 1983 & 1984 Oil pressure: 2500 rpm and warm 55-60 PSI
• 1985 Oil pressure: 2500 rpm and warm 40-60 PSI
• Spark plugs: AWSF54-C @0.054″
• Thermostat starts to open: 193-200 degrees
• Thermostat fully open: 221 degrees
• Radiator cap pressure: 16
• Cylinder head warp limit .007 “

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.