I just put a 92 engine from an exp into a 99Ranger (this may read funy I also just had hand surgery - not related) The 92 engine had less than 60k but had sat up for a long while. 99 had 200k + I'll rebuild the 99 over the winter and be able to drive the truck in the mean time.
The cam position sensor had to be modified - the 92 did not use one. I used a belt sander to shorten itabout 1/4 3/8 in works fine.
The older blocks don't have the same # of bolt bosses to accomodate the 97-99 motor mounts. I had to fab a piuece to make it work. this is only true of the drivers side.
I had to use my oil pan. the exp pan had a oil level indicator - it was busted + the mating surface looked different - but i really didn't einvestigate. The A/C mount looked different - mine bolted right up
I used all of the 99 intake - bolted right up -as did the trans. Checked out on the diag. at it all tested great. I've got a couple 1000 miles on it - I've seen no indication that the differences in the 92 heads and combustion chambers won't work with 99 emissions and cat convt. Once I finished everrythig I left it was a local shop and they went throught everything to make sure of that.
You will have trouble if you start interchanging some engine parts between models - read the tech article in the front of the ranger station o n 4.0 rebuilds-it helped me a lot.
Hope that helps you
Whatever engine you use be prepared for the rockers to be badly worn
