Newbie

[J.Allen]

I got to looking for a good site, I just got a '98 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 , 3.0L, the body is in good condition, but motor had water in the oil, like over full. Probably a cracked block, I assume. Would like to swap out another 3.0L; don't know what yr of 3.0 motor that'll work with out drastic changes. can anyone give me any pointers on the yr or yr of any changes that I have to look for.

 

[RonD]

Welcome

Read here about the Vulcan engine
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_0performance.html

You can just use the block and heads from another 3.0l for the swap, your current intake, exhaust and sensors will be reused.

Usually it is a blown head gasket, maybe a cracked head, if there is water in the oil.

I would drain the cooling system and the oil and refill with a 30w oil and a new but cheap filter, don't refill with coolant or water.

Unplug coil connector and turn engine over for 5 seconds, repeat 5 or so times, this will pull some new oil into the system pushing out the oil/water, without starting engine.
You could do a compression test at the same time, remove all spark plugs and test each cylinder's compression while pumping in the new oil
Lower compression on 1 cylinder would point to a gasket or head crack vs a cracked block.

Also, if you keep cooling system intact, all hoses connected, drain closed, you can then do a glove test.
Put latex glove or balloon on rad cap opening, plug overflow hose, unhook coil but leave spark plugs in.

Crank engine
If glove bounces/inflates you have a head gasket or cracked head issue, not block

Video of similar test, member used his finger to block overflow and an unusual "balloon", lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFGquUimXro&feature=youtu.be

Yes, it was a blown head gasket.


So you may just be able to redo the heads vs an engine swap, how many miles on the current engine?