new motor

[kilbrethj]

I am about to purchase a 94 ford ranger reg cab long bed 5 speed 4x4 with 187,000 miles on it. it runs very strong (besides lack of power) does not burn oil, stutter, skip or anything. I am going back to school with this truck because i need something good on gas. my lifted f350 with a 460ci will be a little to much money!! lol but anyways i was wondering were i could find a rebuild kit for this motor. it is a 3.0l v6. also if anyone makes headers for it and a cam? i am also planning to have the heads ported and polished and probabley the upper and lower intake aswell. and also a 3" body lift and 31's and 4.10 gears. thanks

 

[Ranger44]

The 3.0 is very reliable engine. It likes higher rpm's both for power and gas milage. It seems weird but you get better milelage in 4th than in 5th gear. It likes 3grand. They make headers but they will only give your exhaust a throatier sound, no power gains unless you put a supercharger on. 4.10 gears will be a big improvement. Remember a ranger is no sports car. Do the gears and make sure it is in tune, and in good running condition and you will have a fuel efficient and reliable truck. Good Luck.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

any parts store should be able to get you an engine kit.

noone makes an aftermarket cam for this motor. you can either send yours in to camcraft and have them grind it...or find a local shop to do it for you.

headers arent a bad idea with the other mods you plan on doing. just dont get carried away with exhaust pipe diameter (2.25"-2.5" will do fine).

swapping an upper intake plenum from a newer ranger (the composite plastic type) will give you a noticeable gain in power...as well as giving you a removable throttle body which gives you the option to upgrade to a 60MM escape TB. the throttle body is the biggest restriction in the intake of a 3.0.

if the truck has a manual transmission, shift at 4k RPM when your accelerating hard..this will keep the RPMs above the power peak going into the next gear. if it has an auto, im sorry

since this is just a fuel economy rig, i recommend against the lift and tires, since this can dramatically decrease economy. let your f-350 be your play rig and leave this stock for maximum fuel economy. just my $.02