Common spot on the 3.0's for this leak. Do a search on this section on water leak, or use google, and you will find several links, youtube vids, and write-ups on it.

As to it being a major or minor fix, I guess it's up to either you doing the repair (my labor is cheap, for me doing work on my vehicle) verses paying someone to do the repair. Most of the accessories have to come off to get the timing cover off, scrape and clean all mating surfaces for new gasket install; this all takes time, and that's where the cost runs up. Most shops in the central Florida area charge 90 bucks an hour, just for labor.

I searched on this section, and found several; here's one example:

https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3...gasket-140268/

 

Well guys appreciate all responses they steered me in right direction. So now have another question. Thought i had all my mechanical issues solved and decided to carry it to body shop. Well while waiting at shop left tuck running and i heard clutch fan come and got in truck and temp guage was in hot zone not completely pegged out. Drove down road clutch fan still runnung and eventually temp dropped and clutch fan cut back. Anybody have any ideas.

 

same place as mine was leaking. Finally found a shop that only charged 150.00 to replace gasket. Ford place wanted 8 to 9 hundred. The leak came from where water ran thru cover on that side. If you remove alternator you will see like mine water seeping out between block and timing cover.