99 Vulcan 3.0 disaster

[cmkilo02]

Hi, everyone. I was looking for some help regarding my 99 Ranger XLT 3.0 V-6 Flex fuel. I have recently taken it to a local mechanic and he is telling me that my year and type of engine is known for head problems. While driving, my temp gauge would spike, leading me to believe it was a thermostat. That was replaced and then started acting up again. Eventually, it led to the belief that the head gasket may be bad. Now, he's telling me that the heads may be shot and it will cost 1,000 per head alone (without labor). My questions, then, is it true that Ford had issues with these engines as far as the heads? Should I even bother with this or just try to drop a newer engine into the truck and, if so, what size engines would fit in that compartment? Sorry for the long post and I hope that it makes sense. Thanks ahead of time for your input!

 

[Toms01PSD]

Some do some don't. You may just have a blown head gasket. and $1000 per head, hes smokin crack. My buddy blew a head on his 4.7 Magnum and he got two heads for $400. Depending whether the heads are bad or not, you could just get two new heads.

 

[GMWIGGS]

$1000 per head??

Tell your local mechanic to go pound sand!

Not sure what your problem might be though. With the year truck you got as far as engine replacement goes I would stick with the 3.0. If you go with a different engine, you will need to also get the computer controller for the different engine and wiring harness. Cost wise I think you would be better off finding a 3.0 out of a wrecked ford and chunking that in there. Good luck!

 

[BlackBII]

$1000 per head??

Tell your local mechanic to go pound sand!

x2!

There are tests you can do to find out if it's a blown headgasket. That mechanic doesn't sound very honest...

I would look for another mechanic that will do a diagnosis and find out exactly what the issue is.

 

[bigcountry]

for a grand a head http://www.moranav6racing.com/category.html?CategoryID=36 look and see how much heads cost here you could get some decnt heads with some added performance keep in mind the total price is for both. i would never go to that shop again

 

[Geeshik]

Cylinder heads.

While the heads on my Ranger are not flex fuel heads, i bought a pair of cylinder heads for alot cheaper than your mechanic wants to charge you. For the pair, i paid $190 for rebuilt cylinder heads from Dover Cylinder Heads on Ebay. i put the heads in myself, so i didn't have to pay labor, but being that i am a full-time student with a wife and 2 year old, and i don't have a garage, it's taken me a while. My truck is almost running though. i have to get it timed yet, and put my exhaust on it.

i believe the Flex Fuel heads have a smaller combustion chamber to up the compression a little more. If you do order them, just make sure they know you need the flex fuel heads for your application; unless it doesn't matter to you. If you don't plan on running flex fuel, i think you can get away with regular heads. i believe the 99-up heads have a smaller diameter valve and a beehive shaped valve spring. Dover told me they are interchangeable if you replace them as a pair because i got a pair of 99 heads on my 93 now, and so far, so good.

 

[Roadkill]

Has your 'mechanic', and I use that term loosely, even done a leak down test and pressure test on each cylinder? If not, he's guessing and must be in a slow time and needs the cash.

My Contour blew a head gasket, pressure test and leak down test on the cylinders pointed to EXACTLY where the damage was.

 

[stiluv]

i just bought new head from for and they cost me $300 a piece for flex fuel heads. it took one very long day to put them in. if i were you i would spend some money and drop a 4.0 in it thats is if your not planning on running e85. the flex fuels are a pain in the ass. i just spent $500 for a fuel compensation sensor and there is still more wrong with it. its an on going battle, a money pit.

 

[6cylboy]

First ting I would check is if the gage, sender, and wire going to the sender is ok. hook up a mechanical temp gage to the same location as the sender and get it up to temp see if it does the same thing. If you still have the same issue do a compression test and a cylinder leak down test. good luck.

 

[tpking]

he cant even tell you which side it is? i would take my truck else where rolling it off a cliff would be cheaper than that joke .. where you located? maybe someone can point ya to a real mechanic

 

[Destroyer]

My questions, then, is it true that Ford had issues with these engines as far as the heads?

Well, when I bought my non running '00 a few months ago the motor was seized due to bad head gaskets. I bought a wrecked '00 with a 50k mile motor. Runs great but it too had head gaskets replaced by the previous owner.

My mechanic friend that helped me with mine says that it is a common problem, especially with 3.0 Taurus/Sable motors. As a matter of fact he is bringing a customer's '99 Ranger 3.0 to my shop next Wednesday to do a head gasket job. Judging all this I am led to believe it is an "issue" with these motors.