My block has the recessed threads mentioned here in this post from Ron:

https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3...3/#post2106977

But someone used the short head bolts.

The date of manufacture is February 1999, where there is supposed to be the short head bolts, but the block doesn't have the threads going all the way to the top.
I have the long head bolts (stretch type) so I will be using those, but I have to make sure they don't bottom out.
I can't check this at the moment because the heads are at the machine shop.

Ford wouldn't use the short ones on the wrong block would they ???

 

Yes, it had the wrong bolts

Article about that is here: Rebuilding The Ford 3.0L Engine

3/4 of the way down it discusses head bolt change in '99, with pictures

The heads got smaller valve stems in mid-1999(7/27/99), but the longer head bolts started in Jan. 1999, so your Feb. 1999 is correct with recess threads in block and should use the longer bolts.
It is possible the factory F'ed up and used the shorter bolts, not like that never happens

 

lol ikr ron try having a 6/95 built ranger, it sucks! have found '94 '95 '96 parts on mine! they all run at the auto parts store when they see me walk in.

it should be obd 1 but is obd2

 

Late 99 block......longer head bolts.
I had the right bolts and the wrong specs

These two block designs have different torque specs. That's the problem.
The longer bolts cannot use the specs from the earlier engine. I broke 2 sets of head bolts figuring this out.

I had to sift through lots of info to find the right specs.