First of all I want to say what I great site this is. It has been much help.
Ok here is my question I have a 97 ranger with a mustang 3.8L it has about 50,000 on the 3.8 but the whole truck has about 135,000 miles. Everything runs great never any major problems. Would it be worth it to slide a 302 (some one gave me free and its still in the crate!!!!) in place of the 3.8 and what changes would have to be made I already have a T5 tranny.
Or should I keep my little danger ranger as is and find a 92-93 cobra to drop it in thanks for you help

 

i think you have the 4.0 or the 3.0 not a 3.8.if you do have a 3.8 the trans and bell will bolt right on to the 5.0.find a 96-97wrecked v8 explorer.get all the accys and wiring,intake, even the exhaust manifolds and pipe.or a 89-95 stang efi,or a carb and duraspark.you will need to make these disicions first.l&l,and advanced adapters,and hooker all make swap mounts and headers for the swap.they usually need to go together.but 89-93 convertible mounts and explorer manifolds fit with some mount drilling and motor placement.eariler stangs have less fan clearence and may require cutting the rad support to fit rad underneath the support.plan on 3 grand. if you get it done cheaper great.get the helms evtm for your truck and the doner efi system if you go that way.you have a lot of choices.make them carefully.a 93 cobra is hard to find,usually been beat.the explorer has the same potential as does your 302 you have now. use what you have and get the same results.cobra or police special are bogus high milage beat plain 302's with no extra worth.get aftermarket performance pieces if performance is what you want.