1994 Ford Taurus 3.0 vs 1994 Ford Ranger 3.0

[Darascal101]

I am sure that this topic has been beat to death but I will try anyway. I have a 1994 Ranger 2WD 3.0 with a blown motor. I have had a lot of trouble finding an engine for a direct swap but the Taurus/Sable engines are much easier to find. Also they tend to have lower miles and cheaper. My main question is do I need to replace the heads or just the head gaskets? Thanks in advance for any help

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I am sure that this topic has been beat to death but I will try anyway. I have a 1994 Ranger 2WD 3.0 with a blown motor. I have had a lot of trouble finding an engine for a direct swap but the Taurus/Sable engines are much easier to find. Also they tend to have lower miles and cheaper. My main question is do I need to replace the heads or just the head gaskets? Thanks in advance for any help

I *think* the only real difference is the ranger would have a mechanical clutch fan and the taurus obviously runs electric fans.

As long as its a vulcan and not a DOHC 3.0 you shouldnt have to do anything.

Try this site...

www.car-part.com

 

[racsan]

I believe the base block and internals are the same but exhaust manifolds & intake manifold are different. I have read something about head gaskets before, wouldnt hurt to pull the heads anyway and have a look. Also the oil pan might be different.

 

[Darascal101]

I believe the base block and internals are the same but exhaust manifolds & intake manifold are different. I have read something about head gaskets before, wouldnt hurt to pull the heads anyway and have a look. Also the oil pan might be different.

I have heard and read the same thing but it seems I have read something about the head gaskets being different but don't seem to be able to locate the thread

 

[Darascal101]

I *think* the only real difference is the ranger would have a mechanical clutch fan and the taurus obviously runs electric fans.

As long as its a vulcan and not a DOHC 3.0 you shouldnt have to do anything.

Try this site...

www.car-part.com

the engines I am looking at are definitely the Vulcan

 

[stmitch]

There is no difference between Vulcan Ranger heads and Vulcan Taurus heads.

You will need to change the head gaskets (which will require new head bolts). The lower intake manifolds are different. The oil pans are different, but may not need to be swapped out (a Taurus pan fits into 98+ 2wd trucks without issue, but not sure about other years or drivetrains).

 

[Darascal101]

There is no difference between Vulcan Ranger heads and Vulcan Taurus heads.

You will need to change the head gaskets (which will require new head bolts). The lower intake manifolds are different. The oil pans are different, but may not need to be swapped out (a Taurus pan fits into 98+ 2wd trucks without issue, but not sure about other years or drivetrains).

 

[Darascal101]

thanks stmitch

 

[pjtoledo]

there is a difference in the camshafts, Ranger 3.0 cams are ground for more low end. in a 3.0???

 

[Darascal101]

there is a difference in the camshafts, Ranger 3.0 cams are ground for more low end. in a 3.0???

 

[Darascal101]

Thanks for the info. I have read that. From what I have read though most people who have done this swap don't notice much if any difference and no one complained about any difference they did notice. I think I am going to move forward with this plan since the Ranger engine seems to be so hard to find unless I want a worn-out engine or want to pay $3000 for a reman (which isn't easy to find BTW)