Is there actually difference between the early 99 Ranger motors and late 99 motors?

[Murdock_]

So I have been calling some junk yards looking for a new 3.0, and they ask me when it was made, it was made in 02/99, so my question would be what is different between say a 02/99 and a 09/99 Engines? And is there any reason that I could not get one out of any other 98-01/ non flex fuel ranger?

Also the engine that is in it now is a 3.0 flex fuel

 

[sblake01]

A 2/99 would be a 1999 and a 9/99 would be a 2000. But, seriously, from what I've read the 1999 engines are all the same. This link may be of some help:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_0-build.html

 

[RonD]

Head bolts were different length, longer in late '99, heads are the same, blocks had a recess added.

But if swapping the whole motor then you are fine

 

[evanesce69]

it's crazy, but RWD engines fetch a premium. you can save money buying a FWD engine and replacing the headgaskets and oil pump.. $450 FWD vs $850 RWD or so...

 

[stmitch]

Use any 3.0 you'd like from 98-00. If you get a Taurus engine, swap the manifolds and head gaskets like mentioned above. The only difference between flex fuel and regular 3.0's are the fuel injectors, so keep that in mind too. If you end up with a regular fuel 3.0, make sure you put your flex fuel injectors in.