What 3.0L ?

[mikkelstuff]

I'm thinking about having a 3.0L rebuilt for a later swap into my 2002 Ranger 4WD XLT.

I see lots of Taurus 3.0L engines available for cheap. Will those fit my Ranger?

I assume externals like water pump, oil pan, alternator, upper intake manifold would have to be swapped.

 

[stmitch]

Yes, Taurus/Sable 3.0s will work. But, they offered two different 3.0 v6 engines at the same time for a number of years. The 3.0 OHV Vulcan engine will work. The 3.0 DOHC Duratec engine will not. Get the newest Vulcan that you can.
Upper and lower intake manifolds, front timing cover, and exhaust manifolds will need to be swapped with Ranger parts. The oil pans are different, but I'm using a Taurus oilpan on my 2000 2wd truck with no problems. Not sure if it would work with a 4wd truck or not. You can obviously use the Ranger pan if you feel like it.

Don't worry about whether your engine or the replacement are flex fuel or not. Just run your current fuel injectors in the replacement engine and it will be fine.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Great. What about the water pump and front crankshaft pulley?

 

[stmitch]

Water pumps are different between Ranger and Taurus. Crank pulleys are the same

 

[mikkelstuff]

Very good but sadly my great engine builder suffered a massive stroke and, though recovering, cannot work for the time being.