uhh are you thinking of the old 3.8 v6's? because the motor in that is basically the same thing in tauruses and sables from 96-current, mazda tribute, and ford escapes, mazda 6, ford fusion, and the lincoln ls. it is also almost the same as the 2.5 contour/mystique/cougar motors. None of which are notorious for headgasket issues.
A.J. Astro/ safari/ blazer/bravada/jimmy/envoy front ends win the battle of shittiest front ends. i'm sorry.