Any Differences between 1999 and 2000 3.0's?

[briansz]

My boss blew the 3.0 in his '99 Ranger 4x4 awhile back. We've found a low-mileage 3.0 from a 2000 Ranger for a decent price (I'd be installing it for him).

Both motors have all accessories still mounted. Seems like this would be a straightforward transplant, does anybody know of differences in the two years? Don't think the plastic intake came in until 2001.

My truck is a 4-banger so I am not as familiar with the V6 configurations.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[09ajmaros]

As far as I know it should bolt right up, I don't think the transmissions changed.

 

[briansz]

I'm almost certain about it bolting up to the tranny.

I think that the 2000 motor was Flex Fuel though. He's only planning on running gas in it as he always did in the '99, so I don't think seals are going to be a problem, I'm just curious about the sensors and if they differ much.

I don't mind swapping his '99 stuff onto the 2000 motor if there are differences in the sensors, but I want to make sure I actually can swap his '99 stuff on there without a bunch of rework.

 

[Chance]

Transmission pattern is the same. I don't know much about the differences between the 3.0 and the 3.0ff though so no help there from me.

 

[Froggmann]

99 is the first year for the Flex Fuel Ranger.

 

[09ajmaros]

As long as he only puts gas in it he should be fine, or else I think the injectors and lines need to be converted over but that shouldn't be a problem with him planning to use only gas. You don't need anything to convert between the two for fuel lines then.

 

[briansz]

We're going to go look over the 2000 motor tonight, I'll make sure to check out the injectors.

 

[buckshot777]

'99 flex built before 7/26/99 is different then anything built after that. what is different? i dont know. i just know from looking into replacing my engine this one thing that comes up.

 

[briansz]

Just a follow up on this. The injectors were off one part number between motors (3532 vs. 3533, I think) but have identical characteristics according to Google, we actually ended up running a few of each since a couple of the originals were slightly damaged.

Got the swap done yesterday in ten degree weather with all manner of heaters. Started on the first crank and purrs like a kitten.

I can't see any differences in the motors externally.

 

[briansz]

I should probably also note that the original 3.0 we removed grenaded and severely spun several main and rod bearings when the folks that rebuilt the bottom end did not tighten down the cam sensor. It was completely loose when we pulled the engine out.

The cam sensor drive gear exploded, which I assume stopped the oil pump. One of the crank journals actually showed signs of what looked like a little melting. Nasty stuff.