99 3.0 rebuild or swap?

[adfav1]

last night leaving work i had no oil pressure.i shut it off and turned the key again to check if the guage moved before starting and it did not.i restarted it and again no pressure.it ran for maybe 15 seconds and now i have a knock.the oil is clean and full so it looks like i have a internal problem.it has almost 160,000 on it so i think i am just going to replace it.i can probably get a 3.0 out of a taurus i think a 98,low miledge does anyone know if it will swap right out.i guess my other option is to rebuild.any suggestions.thanks

 

[mojoranger]

I got an engine out of a 2005 taurus with 25,000 miles on it for $300 and put in my 99. I changed the head gaskets to the ones for the ranger and used the rangers intake and exhaust. I also had to get a new water pump since the one on the taurus is shorter. Other than that it was a direct bolt in. Its alot easier to find a good taurus engine than a ranger. Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[adfav1]

problem found

thanks, i might go with a used motor.i found the problem.the cam sensor on the rear of the intake has a shaft with a gear on it that drives the oil pump and the gear was stripped.i might try replacing and hope the motor survived without oil for a couple of minutes.if it does not help at least i will have a new one to put in a replacement motor.

 

[NoName]

thanks, i might go with a used motor.i found the problem.the cam sensor on the rear of the intake has a shaft with a gear on it that drives the oil pump and the gear was stripped.i might try replacing and hope the motor survived without oil for a couple of minutes.if it does not help at least i will have a new one to put in a replacement motor.

You might get lucky. The engine will probably have oil pressure issues afterwards, that's usually the case with the Taurus. Was it tapping like it was being starved of oil, or can you hear actual rod knock? Engine is probably damaged internally, either way.

If you change the engine, it's a good idea to put a new Camshaft Synchronizer in the replacement engine, obviously.

 

[adfav1]

it was a knock from the top of the engine,sounded like lifters.i will post a reply after i find a tool to line up the synchronizer and install it.

 

[adfav1]

just my luck

well i got the synchronizer in without a tool following posts on how to install.started right up but knock is still there sounds like lifters.with the miledge i have i am going to look for a used or maybe a reman since i plan on keeping the truck a while.

 

[RangerSVT]

If you plan on keeping the truck for a while why not upgrade the 3.slo to a 4.go ??
SVT

 

[NoName]

well i got the synchronizer in without a tool following posts on how to install.started right up but knock is still there sounds like lifters.with the miledge i have i am going to look for a used or maybe a reman since i plan on keeping the truck a while.

Drive her till she pops and start tracking down a 4.0.

 

[joecool85]

If you plan on keeping the truck for a while why not upgrade the 3.slo to a 4.go ??
SVT

Gas mileage I would assume. Thats why I like my 3.0 engine. Nothing like 20mpg average in a 4wd supercab truck with a V6 (even if it is "slow").

 

[RangerSVT]

My cousin's ex had a 96 explorer 4x4 getting 22mpg....20+mpg's are not impossible with the 4.0L
SVT

 

[joecool85]

My cousin's ex had a 96 explorer 4x4 getting 22mpg....20+mpg's are not impossible with the 4.0L
SVT

22mpg average or highway? Also, Explorers have a much lower drag coefficient than the Ranger - being a pickup truck that's kind of a given. And lastly, what size tires and gears? I'm running 245/75/16 (31" tall) with 4.10 gears - not normally something you would call fuel efficient, yet I still get 20mpg average (on back roads etc). I get 22 highway and don't know for city really since I don't drive through one very often.

 

[RangerSVT]

Stock gears, stock tires. And the ranger may be less coefficient, but its heavier. It's averaged, mostly highway mileage, as we live out in the country...
SVT

 

[joecool85]

Stock gears, stock tires. And the ranger may be less coefficient, but its heavier. It's averaged, mostly highway mileage, as we live out in the country...
SVT

Stock tires are a 235/75/15 for a 2000 Explorer 4wd. 29" tall, that's a LOT less rotating mass. Not sure what stock gears are, but I'd imagine something in the mid 3's which is better for mpg but not as good for towing/offroading etc.

All I know is that when I have talked to others here in Maine that have an almost identical ranger to mine, just with the 4.0, they are getting 18mpg or so. 2mpg less than me. Doesn't sound like much, but when you are driving 20,000 miles a year it adds up. At 20mpg that is 1,000 gallons of gas. At 18mpg it is 1,111. That's over $300 in extra gas. Add to that the fact that I don't need more power than the 3.0 has to give and I'm all set with keeping it indefinitely. I'm sure others disagree, but I love my little 3.0.

 

[Big Jim M]

gears

Stock tires are a 235/75/15 for a 2000 Explorer 4wd. 29" tall, that's a LOT less rotating mass. Not sure what stock gears are, but I'd imagine something in the mid 3's which is better for mpg but not as good for towing/offroading etc.

All I know is that when I have talked to others here in Maine that have an almost identical ranger to mine, just with the 4.0, they are getting 18mpg or so. 2mpg less than me. Doesn't sound like much, but when you are driving 20,000 miles a year it adds up. At 20mpg that is 1,000 gallons of gas. At 18mpg it is 1,111. That's over $300 in extra gas. Add to that the fact that I don't need more power than the 3.0 has to give and I'm all set with keeping it indefinitely. I'm sure others disagree, but I love my little 3.0.

Your gear ratio is POSTED on the drivers door post.. READ IT and post it here someone will tell you zackly what your gear ratio is..
Big JIm

 

[RangerSVT]

I wasn't trying to talk you out of another 3.0, I was really just asking your opinion on what you thought about it. Each to his own
SVT