Definitely a good engine. Have rebuilt mine twice... which I know may sound bad lol my younger brother blew the engine the first time and it had 226xxx miles on it. When I ripped apart and had it deep cleaned and inspected, the place couldn’t believe it had that many miles. I took real good care of it, still had the the honing marks on it from when it was built. Camshaft synchronizer went out and stopped pumping oil, which my brother didn’t say anything until it started knocking which was too late. Engine locked up. Rebuilt it, and blew it 26xxx miles later cuz I was having too much fun and broke a rod, which got seized in the crankshaft so it didn’t do anything other damage. Good engine for being a small v6. Was going to do the v8 swap from the explorer or mountaineer, but my luck, when it blew the 2nd time, couldn’t find a donor vehicle for the right price so I just rebuilt the 3.0 and plan and taking it easy until I get the parts for the swap. But, plan on stroking it to a 331 or 347. Haven’t decided for sure.
@@HitchinMitch i got 400k on 3.0 1.. and 600k on the other 4,0/// they both great.. im slow 55mph.. but i tend to overload it trailor alot lol .. grass and firewood each year .
284k motor. That makes me happy. I bought my 2001 ranger new and am closing in on 150k. Still running like the day I took it home from the dealership. Sounds like it will outlive me
Mine is a 2000 Flex that I've only done the Intake gaskets and timing chain on, and the chain was still fine at 230k miles. Ford made this motor to LAST. Not as good gas mileage as the 2.3/2.5 or power as the 4.0. But it really was a beast of an engine.
And you always gonna be better off getting a low mileage Taurus 3.0 block (they made them longer than the Ranger) and putting all the Ranger's top end parts on it to convert it to front wheel drive. I bought an entire 2012 Taurus engine with 21k for $400.....heads and all. Which is half of a 100k Ranger engine because....."truck"....lol. I sold all the parts off the new engine for......$375. LOL! So once I bought all new gaskets and everything, I have $300 in a 21K mile bottom end new top end Ranger 3.0
Vacuum leak caused a lean air/fuel ratio and melted those 2 pistons. The 3.0 is pretty bad about leaking where the upper intake seals to the lower manifold. They can leak where the lower manifold seals to the heads but it's not as common.
Misfiring issues stem from bad reading from upstream O2 Sensors, low coolant level readings, and vacuum leaks in that order of importance. I just finished up fixing my 3.0’s misfiring issues
I’m a firm believer that these 3.0 Vulcan engines are one of the best engines ever made. Mine has 309k miles on it. It’s set up like a rally truck. I love drifting it off road and still peg it off the rev limiter. No issues what’s so ever. I believe it’s the off set rod journal design that causes this engine to run with barely any vibrations. I was thinking of a rebuild and a turbo setup around 250 hp would be perfect in that 3k lb truck. Good luck with the build brother!
Thank You, my 04 Ranger is having misfiring issues due to cylinder 4 so watching you and seeing what I might have to do to get it working by having a rebuild done on the engine. It is very informative. Keep at it I look forward to seeing how it goes.
I've got a 2002 with almost as many miles. I'm the 6th owner and change oil religiously every 5-6k miles with full synthetic and a K&N filter. Got the idea in the back of my mind to get a junkyard motor and rebuild it just in case my engine craps out. Looking forward to seeing what you did with this.
The melted pistons are from really bad detonation. The cylinder wall usually has a thin layer of melted piston in small spots near the damaged piston edge.
I hope you keep at it and rebuild it. I would like to see the finish product. Very informative. Right now I am having very similar issue with my 2000 ranger 3.0 5speed. I did a pressure test and it is showing that there is combustion leaking through. It overheated on me and was barely any radiator fluid inside. I know for a fact that the gaskets are blown. Just hoping to see if I can spend less money on working on it myself instead of getting a new motor or having someone else do it.
Leatherman Tread found in the wild. Nice. They get a lot of hate but I love mine even if I don't get to use it all that much since I carry a Charge too.
i got 2x rangers . both 94.. 1 is 3.0.. the other is 4.0... the 4.0 is built way better ! easier work on .. both got heads re done.. i know!!!! lol.. YES : i KNOW WHAT happened !!!! 2 things will do this ..#1- water to clean valves trick .. but done it too long and motor was HOT! ....#2 - best gas + 2 bottles of octane booster = engine made for 87 ... got 93 + octane booster :>).. also .. i havent seen /but suspect 93 + a TURBO.. stressed it out! ..Rebuild and use lightweight race pistons + rods + oversized valves on exhaust for power + gas mileage.. :>) ..be happy /proud man.
Hey 👋 there. Not sure if you got the previous message. You sure pronounced my name perfectly. In regards to the prise, please 🙏 donate it to a needy family 👪 in your area. People are having a really hard time 😪 these days. God Bless you 🙏 ❤ 🙌
Wanting to trade my 98 Ranger for an Old model Toyota! I miss the old days when I could wash my engine and keep it fresh painted. Hit me up if you got a possible trade near Mississippi.
Build it man, this is inspiration for me. I'm eventually going to build my 3.0
Why would you wanna do that. Just buy something fast
@@braydenpaulson5295 maybe because it's paid off and mine to do whatever the fuck I WANT TO DO WITH IT. Maybe that's why
I want to build mine as well.
@@braydenpaulson5295 Yeah lemme just drop 20 grand on a “fast” engine real quick brb
Build it and we will come.
Definitely a good engine. Have rebuilt mine twice... which I know may sound bad lol my younger brother blew the engine the first time and it had 226xxx miles on it. When I ripped apart and had it deep cleaned and inspected, the place couldn’t believe it had that many miles. I took real good care of it, still had the the honing marks on it from when it was built. Camshaft synchronizer went out and stopped pumping oil, which my brother didn’t say anything until it started knocking which was too late. Engine locked up. Rebuilt it, and blew it 26xxx miles later cuz I was having too much fun and broke a rod, which got seized in the crankshaft so it didn’t do anything other damage. Good engine for being a small v6. Was going to do the v8 swap from the explorer or mountaineer, but my luck, when it blew the 2nd time, couldn’t find a donor vehicle for the right price so I just rebuilt the 3.0 and plan and taking it easy until I get the parts for the swap. But, plan on stroking it to a 331 or 347. Haven’t decided for sure.
So I keep hearing, these 3.0 Vulcans seem to be quite the engine! That's awesome you kept yours going!
@@HitchinMitch i got 400k on 3.0 1.. and 600k on the other 4,0/// they both great.. im slow 55mph.. but i tend to overload it trailor alot lol .. grass and firewood each year .
284k motor. That makes me happy. I bought my 2001 ranger new and am closing in on 150k. Still running like the day I took it home from the dealership. Sounds like it will outlive me
Mine is a 2000 Flex that I've only done the Intake gaskets and timing chain on, and the chain was still fine at 230k miles. Ford made this motor to LAST. Not as good gas mileage as the 2.3/2.5 or power as the 4.0. But it really was a beast of an engine.
And you always gonna be better off getting a low mileage Taurus 3.0 block (they made them longer than the Ranger) and putting all the Ranger's top end parts on it to convert it to front wheel drive.
I bought an entire 2012 Taurus engine with 21k for $400.....heads and all. Which is half of a 100k Ranger engine because....."truck"....lol.
I sold all the parts off the new engine for......$375. LOL!
So once I bought all new gaskets and everything, I have $300 in a 21K mile bottom end new top end Ranger 3.0
Water leaking from the head gaskets slowly melted those pistons, or you have cracks in the heads
Probably not the engine was probably overheated and the to ends of the rings touched and popped the the top of the piston off
Vacuum leak caused a lean air/fuel ratio and melted those 2 pistons. The 3.0 is pretty bad about leaking where the upper intake seals to the lower manifold. They can leak where the lower manifold seals to the heads but it's not as common.
Misfiring issues stem from bad reading from upstream O2 Sensors, low coolant level readings, and vacuum leaks in that order of importance. I just finished up fixing my 3.0’s misfiring issues
I’m a firm believer that these 3.0 Vulcan engines are one of the best engines ever made. Mine has 309k miles on it. It’s set up like a rally truck. I love drifting it off road and still peg it off the rev limiter. No issues what’s so ever. I believe it’s the off set rod journal design that causes this engine to run with barely any vibrations. I was thinking of a rebuild and a turbo setup around 250 hp would be perfect in that 3k lb truck. Good luck with the build brother!
Currently mine has 327,000.
Thank You, my 04 Ranger is having misfiring issues due to cylinder 4 so watching you and seeing what I might have to do to get it working by having a rebuild done on the engine. It is very informative. Keep at it I look forward to seeing how it goes.
Check plugs and wires first. My B3000 just throw the same code and it was because the plug for cylinder four was touching the headers.
I've got a 2002 with almost as many miles. I'm the 6th owner and change oil religiously every 5-6k miles with full synthetic and a K&N filter. Got the idea in the back of my mind to get a junkyard motor and rebuild it just in case my engine craps out. Looking forward to seeing what you did with this.
The melted pistons are from really bad detonation. The cylinder wall usually has a thin layer of melted piston in small spots near the damaged piston edge.
That's a good look at a 90s spec Vulcan engine! Ya exhaust and or O2
Tom Morana Racing. Has high performance parts for Ford v6 motors
Iv been watching your videos to see how hard replacing a headgasket will be on my 3.0 and so far not bad at all
I hope you keep at it and rebuild it. I would like to see the finish product. Very informative. Right now I am having very similar issue with my 2000 ranger 3.0 5speed. I did a pressure test and it is showing that there is combustion leaking through. It overheated on me and was barely any radiator fluid inside. I know for a fact that the gaskets are blown. Just hoping to see if I can spend less money on working on it myself instead of getting a new motor or having someone else do it.
Leatherman Tread found in the wild. Nice. They get a lot of hate but I love mine even if I don't get to use it all that much since I carry a Charge too.
Build top in BTM in from Jeff and ZIP
Im learning and freaking getting so into my ford ranger
i got 2x rangers . both 94.. 1 is 3.0.. the other is 4.0... the 4.0 is built way better ! easier work on .. both got heads re done.. i know!!!! lol.. YES : i KNOW WHAT happened !!!! 2 things will do this ..#1- water to clean valves trick .. but done it too long and motor was HOT! ....#2 - best gas + 2 bottles of octane booster = engine made for 87 ... got 93 + octane booster :>).. also .. i havent seen /but suspect 93 + a TURBO.. stressed it out! ..Rebuild and use lightweight race pistons + rods + oversized valves on exhaust for power + gas mileage.. :>) ..be happy /proud man.
That was 1 and 5. Cylinder on is always the front on the right bank. Right 1-2-3 left 4-5-6
Hey 👋 there. Not sure if you got the previous message. You sure pronounced my name perfectly. In regards to the prise, please 🙏 donate it to a needy family 👪 in your area. People are having a really hard time 😪 these days. God Bless you 🙏 ❤ 🙌
Hello! Yes I did see you're previous message! I'm in contact with super clean about donating the products! 👍 It's very thoughtful of you.
Your pistons are clean from the hot coolant leaking in and steam cleaning them. That's why you had all that liquid in your cylinders. Bad head gasket.
It would really be good if you invest in some shop lights to improve your filming.
"hey futures me"
Hi Mitch! 🙋🏼♀️
Wanting to trade my 98 Ranger for an Old model Toyota! I miss the old days when I could wash my engine and keep it fresh painted. Hit me up if you got a possible trade near Mississippi.
I think I would just build it.
BUILD THE MOTOR!! IT WILL BE AWESOME!!!
build it!
Do it right and build it!
Go with a V8 from an explorer
There are a million forums on using an Explorer V8 in rangers. Pretty easy to do and much better upgrade potential.
Build the 3.slow
4.6 v8 has twice the power or be the first to put the triton v10 in a ranger
Engines can never be easy can they...
Ya exhaust leak and or o2
Make a decision on the engine yet?
I've got the parts to rebuild the 3.0, but I keep throwing around dropping something else in there. 😅
Has to be somewhere.....
Rebuild it bro
Build it
Lil late but hey 🤷♂️
Bore it out, super charge it.
So it can blow head gaskets more
That's probably from detonation, these engines are bad about spark knock, or dieseling under load from timing being off, etc,etc.
Free up the pistons, refresh it and just get it back in the truck!
Honestly that'll probably be what happens.
Don’t build it- you don’t even know your cylinder layout.
These engines are junk
These are junk