Hi - looking for recommendations on a replacement motor (blown head gasket) and/or what companies to stay away from. Looking for a full and complete crate motor. Located in SoCal. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

How many miles on the engine now?

You don't need a Flex Fuel engine, any 3.0l OHV Vulcan long block will work, a long block is a rebuilt engine with heads and timing chain installed
You will need to install your complete intake, with injectors, on the new engine, that's the "Flex Fuel" part that matches your 1999 engine computer(PCM)

Any local machine shop can get you a long block or rebuild yours, so you have a LOCAL Warranty, call and get prices BEFORE looking on line, and also include any shipping cost to RETURN your long block to the seller


A "crate engine" is a Long Block, not a complete engine, just FYI, you still need to install oil pump(may come with one) and oil pan, also need water pump, valve covers and intake/exhaust manifolds, and flywheel or flexplate, harmonic balancer
Some come with timing chain cover, most do not

3.0l crate engine image here: https://spprecision.com/491-home_def...ate-engine.jpg

 

Thank you so much for your response. It has 240k miles on it. Kinda wanted a complete engine - plug and play because it's my son's truck and he's at college without a truck - wanted it done in as short a timeframe as possible. Ty for the info.

 

Then look for a used 1998-2008 3.0l Ranger engine(skip 2004-2006), that's the only way you can get a "fairly" complete engine, but at 15+ years old it would be a roll of the dice as to whether or not you are trading up
And you would still have to swap over intake with injectors unless used engine was 1998-2000 flex fuel model


If its just blown head gasket you can fix that in a weekend for under $800 with new heads
New Heads with valves run about $300each, so $600
head bolts and gasket sets $100
Coolant and oil change $100

I would also change water pump and front(timing chain) cover gasket(known issue on 3.0ls), another $75

240k miles for the lower end bearings and piston rings is about 1/2 life so still have another 200k+ to go

 

Excellent advice. Ty so much!