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Ford 3-code specs: 232 ci (3.8L) 6-cylinder, 3.811 x 3.386 in (96.8 x 86 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 112-120 hp, 1983–1986. Used in the Ford Mustang. OHV.
The Ford 3-code is oversquare — the 3.811" bore exceeds the 3.386" stroke by 12.6% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.386" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,100 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.745 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 38.7 ci (634 cc).
It is one of 11 engines in the Ford 232ci family, all of them 232 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 4 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 112 to 120 hp across 1983–1986.
| Displacement | 232 ci / 3.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.811" |
| Stroke | 3.386" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Rod length | 5.91" |
| Rod ratio | 1.745 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.126 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 112–120 hp |
| Years | 1983–1986 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.126 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,386 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.745 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in |
| Displacement per cylinder | 38.7 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 112 hp | 3-code |
| 1984 | 120 hp | 3-code |
| 1985 | 120 hp | 3-code |
| 1986 | 120 hp | 3-code |