Best heads?

[Ranger850]

What would be the best selection for replacement heads for my 3.0.?
Are the Taurus Heads Identical to Ranger heads.
Are there some that offer any advantages to the ones that are on it?
From the JY would be ideal, but I would purchase new/remanned ones for the right price ( reads = cheap)

 

[Dirtman]

Well the 3.0's had exhaust valve problems so the ideal replacement would be reman heads that are the upgraded 6U7Z-6049-A versions so you dont end up buying a headache. Im no expert on the 3.0 though... adsm will probably have a more useful answer.

 

[RonD]

Yes, there are no "better" heads, the 2004-2006 3.0l stock heads did have exhaust seat issues, avoid as is used heads from those years

Yes the 3.0l Vulcan Taurus/Sable heads are exactly the same by year, same for Mazda B3000
Ford cars also used 3.0l DOHC Duratec engine during same time period as the 3.0l Vulcan, totally different engine, so "3.0l Taurus" doesn't mean 3.0l Vulcan engine

3.0l Vulcan was used from 1986 to 2008 in several Ford models, info here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_0-build.shtml

There were 4 different heads used
Gas only
Flex fuel
8mm valve stems <<<< Valve STEMS, not valves, valves were the same size in all years
7mm valve stems

 

[Snoranger]

5.0 heads (old 5.0 or coyote), 460 heads, 6.2l heads. They may require other modifications to install.

 

[Ranger850]

Yes, there are no "better" heads, the 2004-2006 3.0l stock heads did have exhaust seat issues, avoid as is used heads from those years

Yes the 3.0l Vulcan Taurus/Sable heads are exactly the same by year, same for Mazda B3000
Ford cars also used 3.0l DOHC Duratec engine during same time period as the 3.0l Vulcan, totally different engine, so "3.0l Taurus" doesn't mean 3.0l Vulcan engine

3.0l Vulcan was used from 1986 to 2008 in several Ford models, info here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_0-build.shtml

There were 4 different heads used
Gas only
Flex fuel
8mm valve stems <<<< Valve STEMS, not valves, valves were the same size in all years
7mm valve stems

Thanks for the link @RonD, but I got a little confuse. lol Are the 4 types of heads interchangeable? meaning, as long as I get 2 of the same type, will any of the 4 types fit my truck, or do I need specifically what my truck has stock? It's an '01

 

[Ranger850]

5.0 heads (old 5.0 or coyote), 460 heads, 6.2l heads. They may require other modifications to install.

would there be any advantage to using any of these? and what type of Mods?

 

[RonD]

snoranger was joking

modification would be to put a 5.0l block under the 5.0l heads

Yes the heads are interchangeable by sets, you would want same model heads on each side

 

[Ranger850]

curse you @snoranger.lol you got me. my ignorance is showing now, thank

 

[stmitch]

The early flex fuel heads (used in both Taurus and Ranger) had a different combustion chamber shape that was a few CCs smaller than the standard gas heads. Technically, that would increase your compression ratio a little over regular gas heads which would equal more power. You'd probably need a pretty finely tuned butt dyno to notice any difference though.

Porting/polishing the heads and getting a nice valve job will provide a more noticeable improvement. And roller rockers, stiffer valve springs and a tune. And boost.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Put a 2.9 in it.

 

[Dirtman]

need a pretty finely tuned butt dyno to notice any difference though.

Wtf is a butt dyno!?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Whats a butt dyno!?

@Ranger850 's mother has a FINE one.

 

[JeremyS]

What would be the best selection for replacement heads for my 3.0.?
Are the Taurus Heads Identical to Ranger heads.
Are there some that offer any advantages to the ones that are on it?
From the JY would be ideal, but I would purchase new/remanned ones for the right price ( reads = cheap)

I purchased heads for my 2002 3.0 from The Cylinder Head Shop. Going on 6 months since installing them and no problems.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I purchased heads for my 2002 3.0 from The Cylinder Head Shop. Going on 6 months since installing them and no problems.

If you mean J & C in West Virginia, second vote for them. My 2.9 heads are from them. Couldn't be happier with them.

 

[Ranger850]

I purchased heads for my 2002 3.0 from The Cylinder Head Shop. Going on 6 months since installing them and no problems.

Price$??? if you don't mind me asking