This is something I submitted to Bob that I wrote up. He said he would forward it to Adam B. to be posted but it never was posted. So maybe it will be of some use to you.
Years 1986-1991 (Generation 1)
If your car has a “3.0L 12V OHV V6 ‘Vulcan’†your valve covers will say “3.0L V6.†This is probably the most popular Taurus engine.
If your car has a “3.8L 12V OHV V6 ‘Essex’†your intake will say “3.8L Fuel Injected.â€
If your car has a “3.0L 24V DOHC ‘Yamaha’†than your intake will say “SHO 24 Valve DOHC†(SHO Models ONLY.)
1992-1995 (Generation 2)
If your car has a “3.0L 12V OHV V6 ‘Vulcan’†your valve covers will say “3.0L V6.†This is probably the most popular Taurus engine.
If your car has a “3.8L 12V OHV V6 ‘Essex’†your intake will say “3.8L Fuel Injected.â€
If your car has a “3.0L 24V DOHC ‘Yamaha’†than your intake will say “SHO 24 Valve DOHC.†(SHO Models ONLY.)
If your car has a “3.2L 24V DOHC ‘Yamaha’†than your intake will say “SHO 24 Valve DOHC†(SHO Models w/ Automatic Transmission ONLY.)
1996-1999 (Generation 3)
If your car has a “3.0L 12V OHV V6 ‘Vulcan’†your valve covers will say “3.0L V6.†This is probably the most popular Taurus engine.
If your car has a “3.0L 12V OHV V6 ‘Vulcan’†FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) your valve covers will say “3.0L V6.†Your fender will also have an emblem that says “FFV.â€
If your car has a “3.0L 24V DOHC V6 ‘Duratec’†your intake will say “Duratec 24 Valve DOHC.†You will also have a fender emblem that says “24V DOHC.â€
If your car has a “3.4L 32V DOHC V8 ‘Yamaha’†your intake will say “SHO V8 32 Valve.†You will also have a fender emblem that says “V8.†(SHO Models ONLY.)
2000-Present (Generation 4)
If your car has a “3.0L 12V OHV V6 ‘Vulcan’†your valve covers will say “3.0L V6.†This is probably the most popular Taurus engine.
If your car has a “3.0L 12V OHV V6 ‘Vulcan’†FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) your valve covers will say “3.0L V6.†Your fender will also have an emblem that says “FFV.â€
If your car has a “3.0L 24V DOHC V6 ‘Duratec’†your intake will say “Duratec 24 Valve DOHC.†You will also have a fender emblem that says “24V DOHC.â€
Why do some Taurus/Sables have 4-Wheel Disc Brakes?
Four wheel disc brakes weren’t standard on any Taurus until 1991. The vehicle they became standard on was the Taurus SHO. Previously, drums were standard, disc optional. From 1992-1999 4-wheel disc brakes were always standard on the SHO and optional on every Taurus except in model year 1999. In 1999, disc brakes were only available on the Taurus/Sable wagon and the Taurus SHO. From 1996-1998, 4 wheel disc brakes were only available on cars equipped with anti-lock brakes. In 2000, Ford quit making any Taurus/Sable sedans available with 4-wheel disc brakes as an option. From 2000 on, 4-wheel disc brakes are standard on every Taurus wagon, however.
What seats will fit in my Taurus/Sable?
You can use ANY front seats from 1986-2004 in any year Taurus/Sable and they will bolt up. The wiring will not work from all years, however. The wiring from 1986-1995 is the same. The wiring from 1996-1999 varies by model. The Taurus/Sable used one wiring harness for the power seats. If, however, you had a Taurus SHO, it was moved up to 3 wiring harnesses. (I think for the power bolsters.) The extra wiring even has a sticker that says “SHO†wrapped around it. Custom wiring will be needed. From 2000-2004, the Taurus came equipped with a “personal safety system.†This system monitors occupant’s weight, etc. The Taurus was also available with side air bags from 2000-2004, thus resulting in extra wiring harnesses. Seats from 1996-1999 will not work in cars 2000-2004 without custom wiring, and vice-versa.
What instrument clusters can I put in my Taurus?
If your car is years 1986-1990 then all clusters should work from 1986-1990 without a problem. If your vehicle is equipped with a digital cluster, however, it has to be replaced with a digital cluster. If your car is not an SHO and you want a 140MPH speedometer, you can put one in. As long as it is a 1989-1990 SHO cluster. If your car did not come with a tachometer, then you CAN add one without any extra wiring. It plugs right in with no modifications.
If your car is years 1991-1995, then ALL clusters will work from 1991-1995 as long as it is not a digital cluster. Clusters from the Taurus L, GL, LX, SE, and SHO are all interchangeable. Even if your car DID NOT come with a tachometer, one can be added with no modification.
If your car is years 1996-1999 ALL clusters from 1996-1999 can be added with no modification. This applies to G, GL, LX, SE, and SHO.
If your car is years 2000-2003 all clusters from 2000-2003 can be used. NO cluster from 1996-1999 will work. Not the 110, not the 120, not the 150. If you try you will be wasting your money.
If your car is a 2004, information about clusters is still not available.
What wheels will fit my Taurus/Sable?
ANY wheel from ANY year Taurus or Sable will fit. The bolt pattern never, ever changed. Example: If your car is a 1986 Taurus and you want wheels from a 2004 Sable, they will fit with no problems. NOTE: If your car is a 1996-1999 Taurus SHO or a 2000-2004 Taurus or Sable, you can ONLY use 16 inch wheels. The front discs are bigger than any other Taurus/Sable, and 15 inch wheels are not big enough to clear the brakes.
Why do some Taurus/Sables have dual exhaust?
From 1989-1999 the Taurus SHO came with dual exhaust. From 1996-1998 all Taurus and Sables equipped with the Duratec came with dual exhaust. In 1999, the Sable still came with dual exhaust when equipped with a Duratec, but in order to have a Taurus with dual exhaust you had to order an SE Sport or an SHO.
What “special edition†Taurus/Sables have been released?
1991- Ford Taurus SHO “Plus.†In addition to SHO features, the SHO plus had: A special rod shifter, a fiberglass “bulge†hood, body colored “Taurus†logo, “slicer†rims, and “24V DOHC†fender emblems. It also featured blacked out mirrors and pillars.
1995-Taurus SE and Sable LTS: Special leather/cloth “SHO Seats†with unique pattern, “crystal†headlamps, and floor shifter. An SHO spoiler with integrated third-LED brake light was optional on the SE, as well as a tachometer, and the 3.8L engine.
1998-Taurus SE Limited: Special “two-tone†leather interior with “Limited†stitched in the seats. Duratec, floor shifter, moon roof, dual exhaust, electronic climate control, “sparkle†wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes w/ ABS, and rear spoiler were standard.
1999-Taurus SE Sport: Standard equipment: Leather wrapped steering wheel, cloth seats, electronic climate control, automatic headlamps, Duratec, floor shifter, dual exhaust, SHO 16†wheels with Z rated tires, 150MPH speedometer w/ 8K tach, and moon roof. Optional: SHO Leather Seats.
2002-Mercury Sable Platinum Edition: Special “chrome†waterfall grill, special spoke “Platinum†wheels, “Platinum Edition†fender emblem, Duratec standard, moon roof standard, floor shifter standard, leather interior standard. Unique silver gauge bezel, silver floor shift surround, silver stereo surround, and silver door inserts. “Platinum Edition†floor mats.
2002-2004-Taurus SES Sport: Leather wrapped steering wheel, special “monochromatic†spears (front and back,) “slicer†rims, two tone (black/gray) cloth seats, single CD player, moon roof, rear spoiler, Duratec, floor shifter, “Sport 24V DOHC†fender emblems, silver floor shift and radio surround, and “Sport†floor mats. Optional: 6-Disc console mounted CD changer.