New ranger owner from Mesa, Az.

[david98xlt]

I'm about to pick up an automatic 98 xlt with a bad 3.0 motor (still runs but has a flat #6 cylinder) for $600 from my step brother. The plan is to find a running Taurus with a bad transmission for around $400-$500, swap the motor, and have a local junk yard come pick up the Taurus with the bad motor and give me $250 for it.

From what I've read, all that I really need to do is swap to Ranger head gaskets on the Taurus motor and keep all of my electronics from the ranger since it's going to have the PATS on it.

Any tips or suggestions?

 

[david98xlt]

98 Ranger made it home safely...

Well, for running on 5 cylinders, it sure didn't feel like it on the way home. I'll have to diagnose it myself. My brother's mechanic may have been trying to screw him...

 

[AzLizard]

Welcome

 

[kimcrwbr1]

For $600 and it rolls on all four wheels sounds like a pretty good deal other than its a 3.0. Do a compression test first that should point you in the right direction.

 

[david98xlt]

For $600 and it rolls on all four wheels sounds like a pretty good deal other than its a 3.0. Do a compression test first that should point you in the right direction.

These Vulcan 3.0's are a dime a dozen though, and I've seen 'em do over 300k. I'll take it until I eventually do a 5.0 swap (which is definitely going to happen).

It honestly feels really good driving down the road though, the motor doesn't feel like it's running on 5 cylinders, but my step brother's mechanic says cylinder 6 is running lower compression and I also get a cylinder 6 misfire OBD II code. For $600 though, I've driven it for few hundred miles straight, it starts right up, the a/c blows ice cold, cruise control works, and it's got an aftermarket stereo and speakers. Overall, I'm happy.

 

[david98xlt]

 

[longdx]

First off, Welcome


Second, It looks like you scored a really good deal. Best of luck