99 ranger 3.0 engine compatibility help

[ranger_lover]

so to start off hello and thank you for taking the time to read or respond to this. I am trying to narrow down what engine I can put in my 3.0 flex 99 ranger, built before 7/26. I want to know if a ranger engine of later build dates, like 00 or 01 will be compatible with no changing or modifying parts.

here is what I know already, a front wheel drive engine and a rear wheel drive have the same block but different engine parts. for example a Taurus engine will not work without replacing the pulling the heads and putting new gaskets on because the head gaskets are different, different holes to port for the coolant, and I also have read the intake is wrong. I also know that you cannot just switch from flex, or ethanol vin V engine, to a only gas engine, or vin U, without changing the lower intake, injectors, and fuel rail. also the flex fuel line has to be stainless steel.

but if anyone has this vehicle, and has had to look parts up when I say your parts description for the engine requires you to be specific on thru 7/26 or from 7/28, you know exactly what I am talking about. MY QUESTION: will an engine built after 7/28 be compatible WITHOUT MODIFICATIONS OR PARTS SWAPPING in a truck built prior to 7/26 and will the transmission still line up normally and work properly? also, if a later date engine will work without major adjustments, what other dates will work without adjusting anything, swapping gaskets, pulling injectors, etc.

thank you and I would not be asking but I have spend days looking for JUST the answer to this specific question. a lot of answers dancing around this issue but nothing found on this single question. my truck: 99 ford ranger vin v 3.0 4wd.

(and why is this blasted engine so expensive??, other than the fact it lasts forever)

 

[stmitch]

If you want no parts swapping at all, you're stuck with finding a Ranger/B3000 flex fuel engine from 98-00. The only difference I'm aware of in build dates would be the diameter of the valve stem, and that has no affect on swap ability.

You can make your life easier and cheaper by finding a non flex fuel engine and just replacing the fuel injectors as they are the only difference between flex and non flex engines. The rails and intakes are the same. The other fuel system components will be in your flex fuel truck already.

Even cheaper and easier to find would be Taurus units. You seem to know what's required in that swap already though, so no need to cover it again.

 

[Superchevy]

If you want no parts swapping at all, you're stuck with finding a Ranger/B3000 flex fuel engine from 98-00. The only difference I'm aware of in build dates would be the diameter of the valve stem, and that has no affect on swap ability.

You can make your life easier and cheaper by finding a non flex fuel engine and just replacing the fuel injectors as they are the only difference between flex and non flex engines. The rails and intakes are the same. The other fuel system components will be in your flex fuel truck already.

Even cheaper and easier to find would be Taurus units. You seem to know what's required in that swap already though, so no need to cover it again.

Wonder if the 2005 Ford Taurus 3.0 Engine will change out with a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0 Engine?

 

[RonD]

Wonder if the 2005 Ford Taurus 3.0 Engine will change out with a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0 Engine?

2005 Taurus had TWO 3.0l engine options
3.0l OHV Vulcan engine, the one used in Rangers
3.0l DOHC Duratec 30 engine, can't be used in Ranger

The Taurus 3.0l Vulcan engine used different head gaskets, so while the engine can be swapped to a Ranger the head gaskets do need to be changed to Ranger model gaskets or engine will get hot spots and fail over time.

Taurus coolant flowed from back to front because engine is mounted sideways
In rangers the coolant flows front to back to front
So circulation thru the heads is different between the two, head gasket holes sets that circulation