Can anyone tell me for sure what are the years( 03- 08 ) of motors that will work in the 2003 3.0 ranger? I have also herd that the ford Taurus motor will aslo fit but again I also run into the same problem. From what year to what year will work for my 2003 V6 ford ranger. Also my truck is Flex fuel, but i never plain to use E-85 in it. Any info would be a great help

 

1999 to 2008 will have same valve stem size and head bolt length, also will use the same Cam sensor

But on any other year than 2003 I would plan on swapping upper and lower intakes to match 2003 engine wiring and connectors
If 1999/2000 then you should also swap in your 2003 injectors

Yes, you can use taurus or sable 3.0l OHV engines, they also used 3.0l DOHC engines which you can not use, needs to be the 3.0l OHV also called the Vulcan engine
But you will need to change head gaskets because car engines were mounted sideways so coolant flow thru heads was different

In 2003 the Flex Fuel won't matter, as far as engine is concerned

2003 3.0l also used a Knock sensor bolted to passenger side of block, pull it off and install it on the other engine if it doesn't have one, 3.0l Rangers only had that sensor a few years and your 2003 computer needs it


And when a 3.0l engine is out
Change rear main seal
I would also pull timing chain cover and oil pan to change gaskets
oil pump is your call, 3.0l timing chains never wore out, they don't even have a tensioner, lol

 

Wouldn't they stretch after high mileage though?

 

They do ware out, although I can't imagine how this one became so worn.

 

My wifes 1999 3.0 had 165k miles on it when I did the timing cover gasket and had bought a chain and gear set "Just in case" and I'm glad I did. It had A LOT of play like the video above.

 

Yep, my dad had an old F150 with a 302 that jumped time from a loose chain. I bought one for my truck as well when I do the timing cover gasket next month.

 

Same here. 04 Edge with about 150K at the time, when replacing timing cover gasket due to coolant leak, observed fair amount of slack in chain and changed it out. Easy to do and inexpensive.