My 2000 3.0 ranger suddenly lost oil pressure and locked up. It never got hot and never stated knocking. was rolling down the road all seemed fine when the check gauges light came on, I noticed the oil gauge was down on 0. pulled over checked the oil it was fine. started it up no knocking and not hot all seemed fine. Thought maybe the pressure sensor failed or wire came off. Decided to get to the next exit and off the highway. 1&1/2 miles later it looses power and locked up, still did not over heat at all never made a bad noise. So now I need a new engine. How much trouble would it be to put a V8 302 in this truck. 2000 XLT 4x4 auto trans.

 

Can't help you with the V8 conversion, although there are numerous threads here on the subject.

Sounds like the gear that drives the oil pump and cam shaft position sensor has worn out or the roll pin holding the gear in place has sheared off.
When you say locked up, will the starter still turn the engine or is it actually seized.

If the cam shaft position sensor suddenly stops turning some models will just stall.

 

Its seized up. Unfortunately. Been looking at the v8 swaps here and think ill just find another 3,0 or maybe a 4.0 to put back in it.

 

3.0 is your best bet, swapping to a 4.0 is going to just as much work as a 5.0

 

Are there any easy power mods for the 3.0?