well than instead of complaining about the heads not matching the vulcan motor than why doesnt someone just put the duratec V6 in there ranger and be done with it. Well from what i've heard the automatic transmission in the rangers aren't the best either.

 

....... if I only had the money and time.

 

Maybe not so much a problem for 96-current, but for me I am faced with the fact that all Duratecs were OBD-II. For someone like me, I like subtly, integration with factory components. A dash plugged up with Autometer gauges isn't subtle.

Plus if I were going to do a Duratec swap, it would be an AJ series, as found in the Mazda6, Lincoln LS and Jaguar, it utilizes variable valve timing. I used to own a Mazda6, it has such a beautiful powerband that even a Duratec from an SVT Contour couldn't match. A good used AJ will cost you about $1,300, an ECU $200, engine wiring harness another $200. Since it used CAN protocol, I don't even know if it is feasible to attempt a swap with an AJ. Two Lotus Espirit owners did it, but used Megasquirt setups.

As for the "heads not matching", they do match, they bolt up as stated. The more I dig the more I am coming to the conclusion that the SHO used the Vulcan block. Sure the connecting rods and crankshaft are "different" (The con rods are about a .10" longer than the Vulcan's, pin and crank bores are different on the rods too and the crank is the same stroke, but factory forged), but the physical block appears to be Vulcan. Still researching this, but it appears all that may be required to perform a "SHO swap" is a pair of heads, intake, timing components and cover, and ECU (Sensors and wiring harness too). Still need to check compression height of the Vulcan pistons versus the SHO pistons, but the Vulcan rods being .10" shorter than the SHO rods, they "should" not hit the valves. Optional might be the crank, rods and pistons from the SHO.

 

yeah it seems the duratec short block is the same as the vulcan block so it should match up as i thought so. looking at the head gaskets is no accurate way to see if the head matched up to the vulcan block. I dont believe for would make two different blocks to make the same size motor.with different style heads. that wouldnt make sense.

 

The rear differential unit only provides torque to the rear wheels when the fronts slip. It has traction control, not real "all wheel drive". Ford does not make a true all wheel drive car.

 

I'd just like better headers lol

 

Sounds like a sweet plan