I'm trying to find out if the engine block from a '96 Windstar will fit into a '98 Ranger. Both are 3.0L. I have information claiming yes and some that says no. Anybody know for sure?

 

i used to install taurus engine in aero. Fits! but check it out: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb90450.htm

Blocks are a bit different.

 

Awesome! Thanks! I just picked up a 96 3.0L with 30k on the ticker for $200. What a deal, just wasn't sure it would fit.

 

Yep, both the Windstar and the Ranger use the Vulcan 3.0L.

 

I'm finally about finished with this swap, but I think I hit a major snag today and I don't know what to do about it. Maybe someone out there can tell me.

All the engine parts swapped over without any problem, but when I went to install the torque converter the bolts did not line up with the holes in the flywheel. No problem, I just swapped the one from the original engine. I did notice the orignal was "deeper" than the one that came on the engine I bought. When I went to marry the transmission to the block, it wouldn't go. There was about a 1/2" gap between the block and the transmission housing. So what I need to do is find a flywheel that is the depth of supplied flywhell, but has the bolt pattern for the original flywheel.

That's not all though. Upon close examination I found that the recess in the back end of the crankshaft is different on the 2 engines. On the original engine the recess is one consistent size where as on the replacement it starts out the same size but about 2/3 of the way in it becomes smaller. Small enough that even if the flywheel were right I don't think the torque converter would go in far enough to allow the tranmission bolts to tighten.

Anybody got any solutions for this? I really need to get this finished as soon as possible so any advice would be most appreciated.

 

Sounds to me like the FWD and RWD 3.0 blocks use different transmission bolt patterns. I don't know 3.0s that well, but that's what it sounds like.

 

I asked about this before I bought the engine, as you can see above. I was told the 2 were interchangeable. Even this link to babcox.com says that all '95-'98 are the same. The original was a '98 and the replacement is from a '95 Windstar. Looks like all the info I got was wrong.


The bolt pattern on the engine is not the problem. I can put either flywheel on the crankshaft and the transmission will also bolt to either engine, provided I don't install the torque converter. The problem is the torque converter is not compatible with the replacement flywheel or the crankshaft end on the replacement engine. I'm wondering if I might be able to either find a flywheel/torque converter that will work, or modify the existing flywheel and torque converter to make them mate properly.

 

Sure hope I can figure something out and don't have to start all over again. Somebody save me.

 

Check your pm. One would think that if one does not know for sure these engines will inter-change, they would remain mute. jd

 

I agree, but even the babcox.com said the engines were the same. The block is, but the crank is not and the difference is so slight it took me over 2 hours to find it. Lucky, I only paid $200 for the engine...could have been worse. Maybe it will work out. I sent the PM you advised, no reply yet. Thansk for the help.

 

This may sound dumb, but why can't you use the flywheel off the replacement engine and get a torque converter for the windstar application?

 

i would use the original drive train out of the winstar....... or was it front wheel drive?

Matt

 

That is his problem, the Windstar that the engine came from is front drive and his Ranger is rear drive.

 

That is my next approach, BUT I'm going to make damn sure the Windstar torque converter will work with the Ranger transmission before I shell out $300 for a torque converter. SO far nobody I've talked to seems to know the answer to that question.

Here's something else I found out, the coolant flow through the front wheel drive Windstar engine is different than the the rear wheel drive Ranger. I'm told unless I change the head gasket the new engine will not last long. Anyone got any input on that?

 

i do know that if you get your flywheel drilled by a machine shop, that you could modify your current flywheel to work with your current tranny.

as for the coolant flow, ill call bs on this one. as long as the water pump is hooked up to a radiator.... it should be alright?

Matt