Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec Question about Escape 3.0

I accidentally found a complete Escape 3.0 at a local junkyard with only 23K miles for only $400, which I understand is very cheap. It appears to be very clean as well.

A 3.0 swap was not previously on the near horizon for my SVT, however, this seems to be a great deal. I am thinking about buying it and just holding on to it until I get around to swapping in the next year or so. I have been reading up on this in the last couple of days, but am pretty much a newb to this 3.0 stuff. I have a lot more searching/reading to do.

My questions are:
Is there a general consensus that the Escape 3.0 is the best route to go on the 3.0L swap? Any disadvantages vs. the Taurus/Sable 3.0 (searched, can't find any)? Unlike the Taurus/Sable with the OHV Vulcan, all Escape 3.0's are compatable Duratechs right?

This seems to be the case from my reading, just want to quickly verify before purchasing.

jebus, $400, better buy it before I do

Only real disadvantage is "what year" it is.

2003 (& technically very early 04MY) Escapes seem to be the most prone to the suspected Zircon contamination.

Time to search for "Zircon"...

Ive got an 03 taurus with 2K on the longblock for 585 shipped. I suggest you look around somemore. I would get a taurus vs an escape not sure if the contamination is all duratec based vehicles or just escape 3Ls.

Its where the Autobots came from.

Originally posted by Big_B:

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Time to search for "Zircon"...

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i though that the escape and taurus were the same.? what? what is the diff?

No difference really I was just exposing the question if only Escape 3L were affected or if all 3L were affected.

The only thing that counteracts that is that it has 23K miles on it. If it were going to fail over that stuff it probably would have already. When he pulls it apart for new bearings he can take a good look at all the bearing journals for scratching. Maybe even get the block professionally cleaned then reassemble it.

Thats what I was thinking, I mean $400 helps offset the cost of having it checked out/new bearings, etc. Most people do that anyway but start with a $600 invenstment.