Looking for 3.0 history

[Xombi]

turbo charged version of the Ford Essex 3-litre V6 engine. Working in conjunction with Broadspeed, the performance of the Ford Essex V6 was developed to achieve 230 bhp and 273 lbs/ft, leading to a top speed of 140 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. https://www.tvr.co.uk/models/tvr/3000s-turbo
They were hard on transmissions and rears.

 

[Curious Hound]

I will look into a 4:10 gears set if these 3:73 aren't to my liking. My 2.3 had 3:45 gears. Can you recommend a reputable vendor to buy a set from?

I used Yukon gears. I think I have heard that they aren’t made in USA any more. Don’t know if quality is same or has declined since then.

 

[19Walt93]

If your area is flat and you do a lot of high speed diving, the 3.73's might work OK. I think an automatic works better behind one because a 5 speed doesn't have a torque convertor to help it launch. Before I ordered a new Ranger in 2004 I took a regular cab, short box 4x4 stock unit with a 3.0, 5 speed, and 4.10's for a ride during lunch one day to see if it would work for me because I've never liked the overcomplicated 4.0 sohc. I accelerated up the entrance ramp onto the highway, shifted into 5th at about 62mph and then had to shift back into 4th becuase it wouldn't hold speed. I ordered the 4.0. I like the 3.0 in Tauruses, Tempos, and Probes but it lacks the low end torque I want in a truck. In 1986 the 3.0's had piston slap problems and in 1987 they broke a bunch of head bolts, after that it seemed like the worst problem was a few noisy cam syncros.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

All good information. This story has ended, was driving today and the engine died and won't turnover. Engine is completely locked up. I'm really mad, not a complete loss. My brother knows an individual at work who owns a 96 4.0 5spd extra cab 2wd ranger. He came by today, and we work out a deal. The 96 is in pristine condition. He is taking the 97 3.0 as is and some money for it. On Tuesday I will take ownership of my new 4.0 ranger.

I know these engines very well, will have questions after I get it.

 

[bobbywalter]

you locked up a 3.0?

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Looked more into it, discovered the cam sensor is the cause. No warning of anykind. Truck will be going to a new home.

 

[Bgunner]

Looked more into it, discovered the cam sensor is the cause. No warning of anykind. Truck will be going to a new home.

Usually the cam sensor/distributor will give a squeak like a belt chirp and at times a metal to metal squeal when they get ready to go. Normally there are warning signs. When the cam position sensor bushings go it takes out the syncro gear and the cam gear nuking the cam. Then you are in for a compete rebuild at that point.

I had to do a distributor in my '94 because of the same issue, this is a well known issue with the 3.0L. I had 140,000+ when I found the squeak from it. IT drove me nuts because both the belt and distro were squeaking making it hard to find where the squeak was coming from because some times it was in the front and others, at the back.

Good luck with the new truck. At least you are familiar with the new motor so less chance of having an issue go unnoticed.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Getting that 96 4.0 ranger did not work out. Guy changed his mind at the last minute. Did some networking today, and found a 95 3.0 engine for sale and it's the entire engine, harness with the pcm. Low mileage engine and it's in good condition. Went to look at it today, seller is a good guy. Great price and it's missing a few small peices but nothing major.

My brother gave me back my 95 2.3 ranger to drive. I already have a 3.0 5spd that I got from the yard and other parts I needed for the transmission swap into the 97. I will be putting the 95 3.0 and 5spd into my 95 2.3 ranger. Use parts from the 97 3.0 to complete the swap into the my 95 ranger. The 97 ranger will be a parts truck. I'm sure I will have questions when this project starts. For now I will get everything cleaned up, and start once it's cool down some.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

I will install a 95 3.0 pcm into a 95 2.3 . Will be pats be issue?

 

[Bgunner]

I don't believe It will as pats didn't start till later models.

If someone else could chime in on the exact year they stared pats to confirm this but if my bad memory serves me I believe pats started in the 98 modle year. I may be mistaken on the year and would like someone else to confirm this though.

I am 95% sure pats was not in either modle years you are dealing with.

 

[nickname23]

3.0 OHV is pretty damn similar to my blown 4.0. let's put the 4.0 like this it ran way over the red temp line for hours on end while I worked overnight using it as my trash hauler. I expect the same out this 3.0 although I'll never let this one see that much heat. Even with bent pushrods and wacked up valves it will run until a valve drops.
It's the perfect middle ground between the 4.0 and 4 banger mine also has the 5 speed stick so gas really depends on you the operator. Doing 70mph it's normal to be just below 3k RPM this is a Pushrod so don't expect much power after 5k it's meant to pull a tree out the ground not racing.
The automatic in my 4.0 was surprisingly working but slipped like no tomorrow I prefer the manual and the 3.0 is touchy lots of low end torque so starts require a graceful touch else you'll scare everyone burning rubber

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Have slowly been tearing down this 95 3.0 I purchased awhile ago. Found out it's got a few issues that were unknown from the seller, I also tore apart the 97 3.0 to further investigate. Between these two 3.0 engines I will be rebuilding one good engine. Instead of swapping all this into my old 95. I am moving forward to do the transmission swap and engine swap into my 97. It should be done in the next couple of months.

The wiring harness for the 95 3.0 was slightly damaged, didn't want to mess with repairs. The pcm is no good after inspection of the inside. Luckily I have a 97 3.0 5spd pcm I acquired from the truck all 5spd donor parts came from.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Finally got the 3.0 5spd rebuilt and installed into the 97. Have installed the clutch pedal assembly, what a pain it was to get the old pedals out and to get the manual transmission pedals in, It's done. Have gotten both 3.0 engines torn down for inspection and both are relatively good..with minor issues that need addressed. I'm going to get them dropped at the machine shop next week. The owner is a friend of my brother's, he will go through both blocks and all four cylinder heads to determine which are better. Once he does, he going to build one good 3.0 engine for my 97 ranger. Worked on getting the automatic transmission/ engine harness removed. Have cleaned up the donor 5spd/engine harness, will start to install that after I get the engine back from the machine shop. Wasn't able to get pictures as I was way to involved withthis and work. If I am able I will remember to have some for the future work.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Hey all, need some advice on a 3.0 rebuild. Have torn down both 3.0 engines, the one from my 97 and the 95 3.0 I purchased during the summer. Looking to have a solid engine when done. He suggests I have the upper and lower intake manifolds port and polished to match the heads. Has anyone ever gone to this extreme with a 3.0? He has given some options on how the heads and block will be done. I will figure that out when he has all peices. He also suggests headers instead of exhaust manifolds. Have not been able to find 3.0 headers anywhere. Can exhaust manifolds be port and polished to match the heads properly?

I've read more in the 3.0 section and found some good information mtnrgr said a few years ago about his rebuild. Sent him a pm awhile ago, haven't heard back. Can someone help with my questions as I am dropping these off Monday morning. Need some information before I go. Mtnrgr seems to be the 3.0 know it all, an old member wicked sludge. He hasn't been on in years. Can someone help out a 3.0 newbie. I am excited about having this done and becoming a 3.0 owner.

 

[Bgunner]

Port matching and polishing helps air flow into the engine smoothly. To take full advantage of this you need to free up the exhaust and why headers were suggested. The issue is 3.0 headers were not as plentiful as 4.0 headers and were all sold so they are now only able to be found in the wild, junkyards, privet sales ect.. Can exhaust manifolds be port matched? Yes but polishing won't help as much as Port matching them. Exhaust manifolds are more restrictive than tube headers so Port matching them only gets you so far but without the exhaust gasket issues that come with headers.

If you opt for Port matching then I suggest a high flow cat to help free up the exhaust. The exhaust is designed to be less restrictive than the intake in stock form so not a lot is needed unless you are installing a power adder, turbo/super charger, to the engine.

Depending on budget a cam may be added to increase HP/torque but then you need to deal with fuel delivery requiring a programmable ecu and possibly injectors. Now you are talking a good chunk of change on top of the engine.

Rolling rockers are a good upgrade for this engine but less impactful than a cam or Port matching. Finding them in the correct configuration can be difficult but not impossible and able to get them new.

Headers are a hard to find option and junkyards are the best place to search for them. Maybe social media could turn up a set but due to size may be harder to get shipped.