I have a 94 Ranger 3.0 The other day the truck started losing power, and when i shut it off it didnt want to start. I got it to run, and it was firing on only 4 cylinders and blowing good old white smoke My truck has been losing coolant for the last month or so. I assumed it was a headgasket, so i ripped the heads off without even checking my plugs. Well, big mistake. The head gaskets are fine, and now i have no idea what cylinders were misfiring, no no idea where the coolant was coming from. THere was a quart of coolant in my oilpan though

To my point though, is there a common problem with the 3.0 cracking anywhere in particular, or is there anything else i can check that may have caused the problem. I dont want to spend 100 bucks on gaskets if the problem is in my block.

 

Sounds like you might have a few important decisions to make. If it isn't the gaskets, then it's either the head(s) or the block. Not exactly a minor issue. And a few months of coolant in the crankcase means you also have to worry about accelerated bearing wear, as well. Also not a minor issue.

So, if you have head or block problems, it's iffy whether you even want to go any farther with that 10-year old engine. The 3.0L vulcan engine is widely available at boneyards, and so it is fairly cheap, as well.

Just something to consider as you try and pinpoint the source of the coolant leak.

To answer your question, no the 3.0L vulcan engine is not generally known for cracked heads or blocks...

 

I just realized there is a water passage in the front of the intake...im wondering if that is craked in there somehow?? I just cant imagine what would cause anything to crack. There is still crosshatching in the cylinders. Is the standard bore on the 3 liter 3.5"? Im trying to determine if the engine was bored.
Anyway. The 94 3.0 is a Vulcan? I was under the impression vulcans were newer than 94.

 

The 3.0L Vulcan actually debuted in 1986 in the Taurus/Sable: 3.0L Vulcan Specs