Help please!!!!!

[stingray]

hey guys, i just purchased a 2001 ranger from a guy and the engine runs hot,he has changed t-stat,water pump,hoses,etc. i tore into the engine and found blown head gasket on pass. side. took heads to machine shop and found that one of the heads are cracked.now here is the kicker,my 8th letter of the vin # is v which i am told is flex fuel.the casting number on both heads are F6DE with no other numbers or letters,the casting number on block is 2F1E-AA.is this a flex fuel motor?has the motor been changed with something else?does this motor belong to this truck?according to auto parts places this is not a flex fuel head. is it going to affect anything if i continue to use this type of head (reman of course). just being cautious i guess. any help would be appreciated

 

[RonD]

If you haven't looked here, have a look:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_0-build.html

The 2F1E block was in 2002 so your 2001 is probably a late model '01
F6DE heads seem to go either way, gas or flex.

The PCM and injectors make a big different between gas and flex

 

[stmitch]

At some point, around late 2000, or early 2001, they quit using the separate casting for the flex fuel cylinder heads. The only difference between the two was a slightly different combustion chamber shape. As long as you use matching heads (both flex fuel, or both regular) it won't matter. You won't lose/affect your flex fuel abilities with the non-flex heads. Ford used the non-flex heads on all flex fuel trucks for many years.

 

[stingray]

thanks for the info guys,i guess that i might just try to by an engine,i don't know how hot this thing has been ran.i am having trouble finding an engine though because i have been told that since mine is a 2001 with eigth digit of vin being a v that only 2001 will work

 

[stingray]

thanks for the responses guys

 

[RonD]

The Mazda 2001 B-3000(3.0l) also came with Flex fuel option, V in VIN same as Ranger