I have a 99 Ranger with the 3.0 L Flex Fuel. It just shut down on me the other day and I had to get towed home. Sounded like a weak battery so I had it tested, battery was bad so I replaced it. Truck still didn't turn over but I started to hear a clang from the starter. Tried the hammer on the starter and still got nothing. Pulled the starter and the flywheel looks fine. Replaced the starter and now I'm back to square one. I think the engine is seized! I am going to manually try to turn it tonight. I would really appreciate any help with this or any ideas. I have been offered a 2000 b3000 3.0L engine if I need it. I just need to know if I'll have to change out the transmission and everything or if it will just get more expensive. Once again, I need some help.

 

The 3.0L all use the same bolt pattern configuration. The 3.0L bolt pattern is unique to the 3.0. Not too sure on if a straight gas engine is 100% compatable with a flex fuel though. As long as you use gasoline you would be fine with it.

Matt

 

im about 99% sure that the b3000 is the same motor. hell, i think its the same truck thats been rebadged. i would just swap it. even if the other one is the opposite tranny, the bellhousings are still the same.

on thing you can try is spraying some pb blaster into the cylinders. it might not help, but it would be ok to try. next is to make sure it is doing the same with all of the plugs out. if it slipped the timing, it will turn over real hard because the valves wouldnt be opening right.

turning a motor over manually is dangerous. the only way i will ever do it is with a vice grop on the flywheel. if i screw that up, its only a flywheel, not threads in a crank

Matt

 

If it did sieze then my guess would be the cam synchronizer gear stripped and caused the oil pump drive to stop spinning.

If the donee engine is not a flex fuel, then make sure to swap the fuel injectors over (FFV injectors are larger).

 

ahhhhh touche rockledge. another great peice of info. thanks

Matt

 

Okay, so I decided to try the key with the plugs out. I didn't even hear the starter kick out. Any idea why the starter would lose all power with the plugs out? I would think that it is straight wired to the battery.

 

before doing something with engine drop oil pan. Usual problem of 3.0 is clogged oil channel to bearing. Sometimes it cause bearing turning inside engine ore broken rod.

Broken rod is realy bad, becouse block, piston and sometimes cyl. head are damadged. Cheapper to replace engine.

If one bearing is seized, look carefully at crankshaft surface. If you consider it good, use small screwdriwer ore wire to put dirt away from channel, replace bearings, change oil and try to drive. If crankshaft is bad, engine will nock in 1000 miles, else it will run fine.

Was your engine overheated?

 

have you thought of trying a starter off the other 3.0? it may just be underpowered. ive had this happen before.

Matt

 

Engine did not overheat and this is the second starter.

 

Have you tried to manually turn it over yet? I don't care what the starter or wiring is doing, lets find out if it's actually siezed first. Put a breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt, and try to turn CCW, this way if it's seized and you put too much torque to it, you'll just break that bolt loose instead of stripping it. With an 18 inch bar, you should be able to turn it over with 1 hand, especially with the plugs out! Once we figure out whether it's seized or not, we'll go from there.

 

i have always been told to not turn a motor in the wrong direction. i also been told to not tighted because you could trip it or mess the balancer up. i would use the flywheel to manually turn it. then you can do it just like the starter

Matt

 

ABNGoat! Drop oil pan and look for a problem. There are 2 dozens of bolts for 8mm socket. 20 minutes deal. Engine swap is a big deal. You must be sure.

 

Engine swap is complete, putting fluids in today and gonna give it a try. Both engines are identical, most of the Mazda is labeled FORD RANGER.

 

Were you ever able to get the original to turn over after you got it out?

 

Did you take old seized engine apart to learn what caused seizing?