Hi I was wondering if anyone knew for sure if a 3.0L from a 1997 Ranger would work as a replacement of a 3.0L in a 2006 Ranger(RWD). They look the same from what I can tell but not 100% sure. I had the dreaded broken cam synchronizer and spun all the rod bearings. Grrr.

thanks in advance,
Matt

 

Welcome to the forum

Good read here on the changes to 3.0l over the years: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech..._0-build.shtml

It only goes to 2003 but there were no major changes after 1999, end of production was 2007/8

You will just use the long block, block and heads, you will use your current upper and lower intake and 2 wire cam sensor/synchro for 2006, 1997 has 3 wire
Use your valve covers and oil pan unless they are the same

If 3.0l is from a car you should change head gaskets, they have a different coolant flow pattern than Ranger 3.0l

Always change rear main seal anytime you have access to it, i.e. engine swap or transmission work

Head bolt length changed in 1999, but heads were the same

 

Take a look at this...
Ford Ranger II 3.0 liter Engines

The 97 may have a 2 pin Cam Synchronizer Sensor as apposed to your 3 pin on your 2006.
So that may need changing out to match your wiring harness.
The hole in the block that the actual synchronizer is the same in all 3 Liter engines.

Take note of the colour of your fuel injectors, if they are different, switch them out.
Put your 2006 ones on the 97.

 

You beat me to it again Ron, but your link is wrong.
I think you meant to post the link that I have.
A maybe a different one ???

 

Oops, yes I changed it

Thanks for the heads up

 

Thank you both really helpful information. Never knew that about the car engines either. Well didn't even know that was an option to use but hopefully ill get this 97 engine picked up tonight and just switch everything off the 06 to the long block of the 97. Sucks about the gear getting destroyed on the syncro cuz the rest of the motor looks pretty good. Hopefully ill have this baby up and running in the next couple of days

 

That's the odd part, things have to get pretty bad for that gear to fail in some way before the oil pump stops turning.

Usually the synchronizer makes a lot of racket and gets changed before the drive fails.
The cheap aftermarket ones have a very thin roll pin that can shear off, they are not as thick as the Ford ones.

 

Yeah it was a company truck that I'm sure the guy did care about at all just turn the radio up

 

Yeah it was a company truck so I'm sure the guy didn't care at all. Just turn the radio up that'll fix it .