It's Official: I'm joining the 3.0 side in the 2.9 / 3.0 debate!

[stegomon]

3.0 my ass....hate them motors....after having a spun rod bearing and cant find a damn 3.0 any place....og i can find 2.9s and 4.0s all damn day...but not 3.0.....i am good with the 3.0 truck agien

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you want to know why you can find tons of 4.0 and 2.9's in the junkyards, but no 3.0s?

cause i can tell you why but im sure youve guessed by now

 

[Beef52751]

any motor will fail if a cam bearing spins. is how they are all designed, we have SBCs do it all the time.
Beef

 

[BeaterMan]

you want to know why you can find tons of 4.0 and 2.9's in the junkyards, but no 3.0s?

cuause i can tell you why but im sure youve guessed

+1 lol.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I don't hate 2.9s, I'm just allergic to cologne!
The 3.0 that is in my '87 now ('91 Ranger engine) is a really nice motor. It is quite efficient for what it is. It does everything I ask of it. It doesn't eat up tires like a low end torque motor!
The reason I put a 3.0 in my '86 in the first place was because the junkyards were full of them, I had three good running engines given to me.
The cologne engines around here sell for far more then the vehicle they came out of was worth.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

I like the 3.0. But I Love the 2.9. The only advantage I can think of the 3.0 actually has over the 2.9 is the heads. Either way with care each motor will go for as long as its maintenance allows. But for as long as I can keep my truck rolling, its power will be supplied by the 2.9. EEC IV is so simple to work on, just the basics. The management system does impress me very much, especially compared to the TBI Chevy crap they threw out at the same time.

 

[Mechanickid]

you want to know why you can find tons of 4.0 and 2.9's in the junkyards, but no 3.0s?

cause i can tell you why but im sure youve guessed by now

That because the transmissions used behind the early 2.9's and 4.0's were SH!T, Either a Mitsubishi or a A4LD and when something like that goes in an older truck its easier to just replace the truck than that part.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the 4.0's and 3.0's had the same transmission options (A4LD/M5OD)

 

[smallfarm123@aol.com]

i will have to go with the 3.0. i have a 3.0 im my truck and i cant kill it I've tryed. it has 206 thousand plus miles on it

 

[rusty ol ranger]

the 4.0's and 3.0's had the same transmission options (A4LD/M5OD)

Thats cause they didnt have the power to tear them up

The 2.9L is a strong runner, the 3.0 is reliable but they just dont have the power.

Seems like with a 3.0 you step on the gas and your waiting and waiting, and finally it hits its powerband, you acclerate decent for like 2 seconds, and then it shifts and you do it all over.

Im a 2.9 man.

later,
Dustin

 

[holyford86]

when's the last time you saw a fm145/146 behind a 3.0? the transmissions are garbage, I've owned both and they suck. Got an m50d in the same truck and its alot better.

 

[Dangeranger3]

2.9 all the way!!!

 

[Mechanickid]

Most of the junkyards in my area don't have any rangers older than 93. They just don't have any demand for 1st and 2nd gen. parts. There are very few 1st gens in my area period thats why I try to take care of mine. Even if my 2.9 Fm 146 combo does fail, Ill just find a battered explorer and rob the 4.0 M5OD 1354 from it and stuff it in my 88.

 

[Mutant Pony]

when's the last time you saw a fm145/146 behind a 3.0? the transmissions are garbage, I've owned both and they suck. Got an m50d in the same truck and its alot better.

My '87 has the factory original Mitsu trans will well over 200,000 miles on it. The only thing done to it is the shifter has been replaced, twice. The 3.0 is much easier on the trans than a lowend torque type motor.
My 3.0 has no problem pulling out into traffic. I've never made anyone slow down for me, unless they were going way over the speedlimit.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

Seems like with a 3.0 you step on the gas and your waiting and waiting, and finally it hits its powerband, you acclerate decent for like 2 seconds, and then it shifts and you do it all over.

clutch in, drop 2 gears, clutch out, hammer down, hang on