Just picked up a 1997 3.8, 5 speed car. It's got a bad head gasket or cracked head along with a bent rod or two. What I need to know is what parts are interchangeable between the 3.8? I know I need a crank along with rods and probably pistons, and heads. What other 3.8s can I swap from? Or is the 4.2 crank, rods, pistons the way to go for the bottom? Then what would I need for the top end? I don't have much money to spend on new and I'm mostly looking into junkyard parts or complete motors. I'm mechanically inclined to do all the work(besides machining) and I need this done ASAP. Any help is appreciated.

 

Just repair it to stock, a 4.2 swap is cool but its not going to give you any gains. Just fix what's bad and you'll be fine.