Hello to All,
I am getting ready to replace the intake manifold gaskets (again) on a 2001 3.0. Can anyone tell me why the lower intake is captured by that #3 pushrod?
Thank You for any info !

 

Welcome to the forum

Not sure what you mean by "captured"

What year 3.0l Vulcan?

 

The push rod holds the intake "captive", lower manifold will not come out until the #3 rod is removed. The truck is a 2001, I purchased the truck used, the engine may have been replaced.

 

Google: 2002 Ford Ranger Lower Intake install

Watch the 1.5 min video

1986 thru 2008 3.0l Vulcan engines all used the same procedure

Maybe the old intake gasket was stuck to manifold???

 

Thank You for the link Ron,
I viewed it and on the V6 3.0 engine that is in my ranger, the casting of the lower intake goes around the push rod. there is no way to remove the lower intake without first removing the push rod.
I am curious as to why.

 

Casting flaw maybe?

It is a tight fit at #3(and #4) pushrod but should be an open slot to slide around pushrod

You can see it here: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DfcAA...M8v/s-l500.png

#3(and #4) slots should be an open gap, not enclosed

 

Yes, that looks open to me.
This is the intake I am working with

 

That's definitely not an open slot, and maybe should have been machined open, after casting
There is no reason for that bar of aluminum to be there once intake was cast, its just a flow path to make sure casting is even

I was just looking at other posts and do see this come up about #3 pushrod, but not "common", so could have been random

But Ford's 3.0l lower intake replacement manual write up does have a step to remove ALL 12 pushrods first then remove the lower intake, so maybe not so random?
And to install new gaskets and then lower intake and then install pushrods
Removing all the pushrods would make cleaning head and coolant ports easier, so maybe not related to #3 but maybe it was, lol

Just out of curiosity what does #4 intake slot look like?
Basically its just a mirror of #3

 

4 is open like the others, only #3 is an issue.
I am considering cutting out the connection that closes off #3
I also have seen other posts regarding the pushrod interference,
but no idea why it would be done that way. Lol

 

I see no issue in cutting a slot in that bar

 

Ok, Thanks! I hope it all goes well,
I will probably finish up that project next weekend
and let You know how it goes.