I drive a 93, 3.0 L Standard length aerostar with a 5 speed manual transmission. The engine recently blew as a result of a seized water pump and needs to be replaced. The two engines designed for this vehicle are the 3.0 V6 and the 4.0 V6 (the 4 being a standard engine on the explorer of the time.) Now My van is a bundle of fun with her five speed and all... off the line power is adequate but was never lively... I've heard the 4 liter does good things for it but both seem so inadequate compared to todays engines...
I eman the 3L puts out a whopping 135 hp and 155 lb-ft. The torque is a blessing off the line and for towing but overall she's still weak. Again the 4L offers a bit more power and torque but only in the tens or twenties more than the 3L and both have... deplorable gas mileage...
Now it's a fact that the 3L aerostar had way back when... was shared with the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable... same specs and all... I'm wondering if maybe a newer engine will botl in as nicely... perhaps transplanted out of a more recent taurus (they're still running 3L V6's thought they're newer) somethign with more power and better mileage... question is... would it fit/work? or maybe from a ranger. Aero* and Ranger shared it's 3 and 4 L engines as well... Frig ranger's 4 cylinder today puts out more power and comparable torque to the old 3L V6 under the hood now. So since I have to replace the engine ANYWAY why not play with it a bit? Suggestions are welcomed and Experienecs as well... Anything as powerful and more efficient or more powerful and AS efficient I'll consider... The van itself is in immaculate condition save for the dead engine and I beleive she warrants the new engine over junking the entire thing.
So... Ideas?

 

I'd find a 4.0 motor, and slap a BBK Instacharger on top of it. I'm also a big fan of the V8 swap in the Aero*. How much are you willing to spend?

 

Rangers have a 2.9, which is totally different. 3.0 is in millions of taurus and A*. 3.8 is a 5.0 V8 cut down to a six. 4.0 is a bored out 2.9, and has no distributor.

There must be plenty of good 3.0 at the wreckers from crashed Taurus' and vans.

 

I'm pretty shure that the taurus 3.8l had the same bellhousing pattern as the 3.0l. so hear's what you do, swap in a 3.8l v6 get it running good, then find a 93 t-bird sc and swap all the supercharger stuff on to the fwd 3.8l. you can rewire your wireing harness or swap in the t-bird harness I'm not shure about the moter mounts.
once my mom gets tired of her aerostar I'm going to swap out the 2.3l for a 2.3 turbo then gut it.