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Mercury Essex (1983–1997) specs: 232 ci (3.8L) 6-cylinder, 3.811 x 3.386 in (96.8 x 86 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 140-210 hp, 1983–1997.
The Mercury Essex (1983–1997) is oversquare — the 3.811" bore exceeds the 3.3858" stroke by 12.6% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.3858" 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. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 38.7 ci (634 cc).
It is one of 8 engines in the Essex family, all of them 232 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 12 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 140 to 210 hp across 1983–1997.
| Displacement | 232 ci / 3.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.811" |
| Stroke | 3.3858" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 8.2–9:1 (published figures vary) |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.126 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Firing order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Advertised HP | 140–210 hp |
| Years | 1983–1997 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | net | 140 @ 3800 | 215 lb-ft @ 2200 | 9:1 |
| 1989 | net | 140 @ 3800 | 215 lb-ft @ 2400 | 9:1 |
| 1989 | net | 210 @ 4000 | 315 lb-ft @ 2600 | 8.2:1 |
| 1991 | net | 140 @ 3800 | 215 lb-ft @ 2400 | 9:1 |
| 1994 | net | 140 @ 3800 | 215 lb-ft @ 2200 | 9:1 |
| 1995 | net | 140 @ 3800 | 215 lb-ft @ 2200 | — |
Factory specification sheet.
| 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 |
| 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 | — | — |
| 1984 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1986 | — | — |
| 1988 | 140 hp | — |
| 1989 | 140 hp | — |
| 1989 | 210 hp | — |
| 1991 | 140 hp | — |
| 1994 | 140 hp | — |
| 1995 | 140 hp | — |
| 1996 | 145 hp | — |
| 1997 | 145 hp | — |
6 factory vehicles, 1983–1997. Each year opens that model's engine table.