3.0 L V6 94 RWD Engine Swap Help

[Metro_Medic_One]

Hey everyone I'm new here. I just pulled my first engine a 3.0L V6 Vulcan from a 94 RWD Ranger. I didn't really plan this very well and now I'm looking at my options. I think buying a used engine is the cheapest way to go rather than having the old one rebuilt. I have a A4LD automatic transmission in it right now. I am confused about what other vehicles ran the same engine that I can put in and still bolt to the transmission. Does it have to be an engine from the same year? I read that Ford changed their block on the 3.0L Vulcan between 94 and 95 and I really don't know what the hell I'm doing to be honest. Any thoughts on what kinds of vehicles I should be looking at to take an engine from?

 

[PlumCrazy]

Just about any 3.0 ohv motor will work. Just not a DOHC from a newer Taurus.

Ford Taurus, Aerostar, B3000, or Ranger. If you use a Taurus engine you will have to swap over everything from yourRanger like oil pan, intake, accessorie drives, fuel rail, waterpump, timing cover and exhaust manis. You also need to put Ranger head gaskets in it.

If it is from another Ranger you may just have to swap fuel rails, dizzy/cam sensor depending on the year.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Metro_Medic_One]

92 ranger 3 liter ohv 2wd

Great thanks for the help. If I put in a 92 2wd 3 liter ranger engine will I just have to switch over the head gaskets or is there something I'm missing?

 

[PlumCrazy]

You don't have to swap head gaskets unless you are using a fwd (Taurus) motor.

Not sure if you truck has a distributor or DIS coilpack, if yours is DIS then you just have to pull the distributor out of the 92 motor and put you cam sensor/oil pump drive in.

I strongly recommend replacing the oil pump drive/cam sensor with a new motorcraft one. The gear strips off and the pump stops leading to a locked up motor. Stripped oil pump drives are the number one 3.0 killer.

-PlumCrazy

 

[adsm08]

3.0 should have had a distributor up to 1995. It should just fall in as long as the other truck also had a 3.0. The 3.0 has a bell pattern that is unique among Ranger engines. No other Ranger trans will bolt to it.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Here is a stripped gear

The engine I put in my 99 was from a Taurus with just over 100k and the gear looked like razer blade fins. It still worked, but was close to failure, so I picked up a new drive.

I done believe the distributor 3.0 has these issues. Beware that cracked heads are also common on 3.0s.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Metro_Medic_One]

Thanks for the help the 3 liter has a distributor on it. If I don't have to change the head gaskets on the 92 ranger engine I'll probably just buy that one. It's getting cold out and I have to get this going before it's stuck in the driveway all winter.

 

[adsm08]

It's getting cold out and I have to get this going before it's stuck in the driveway all winter.

So you have experienced this phenomenon as well. I was beginning to fear that I was the only one who put a total halt to all home car repairs between November 1 and April 1.

 

[91ranger3.0]

i just rebuilt my 3.0 and it runs good, depends unless u can find the car with the 3.0 or another ranger just have it rebuilt it would cost less.

 

[Metro_Medic_One]

Oil pumps and pick up tubes

I am in the middle of swapping everything over from a 94 ranger 3 liter v6 engine onto a 92 taurus 3 liter v6. I am unclear on whether or not the oil pump from the taurus needs to be replaced. Can I just pull the old one from the Ranger and put it on there?

 

[PlumCrazy]

I would buy a new one. It doesn't get any easier than now.

BTW, I think they are the same pump, but have different pickup tubes to fit the pan. Order one for a Ranger to be sure.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Metro_Medic_One]

Head Bolt Holes

I just bought a Taurus 92 3 liter v6 engine to put in and just went to replace the heads when the last head bolt won't screw in place. I was told to buy a tap or thread chaser to clean the bolt hole but I don't know the size of the hole or the bolts. Anyone got any ideas it's a Taurus 92 3.0 liter v6 vin U! I can't seem to find it.

 

[stmitch]

Make sure you have brand new head bolts. The 3.0 head bolts are one time use only.

 

[Metro_Medic_One]

Do I have to swap out the harmonic balancer from the two engines?

 

[locovaca]

Do I have to swap out the harmonic balancer from the two engines?

No. I'm running one off of a Taurus myself.