Some interesting info on the 3.0L Vulcan engine...
 

Found this on the good ol' internet. Thought it might be interesting to some of the 3.0 owners here:


The Ford Vulcan V6 is a 3.0 L (2982 cc/182 in³), 60° V6 engine, first introduced for the 1986 model year and originally designed to be the optional engine in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. In 1988, it became the standard engine for the Taurus, and was the only engine available in the Taurus' last years. It has also been used in the Ford Probe, the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz from 1992 to 1994 (optional), the Ford Aerostar and Ford Windstar minivans, and the Ford Ranger and Mazda B3000 pickup trucks; it replaced the Cologne 2.9 engine (which it is not related to) as the base V6 in the Ranger.

The Vulcan was a clean-sheet design using the metric system. The engine block is built by Sherwood Metal Products, the intake comes from Ford's Essex Casting, and the engine is assembled at Ford's Lima Engine plant in Lima, Ohio.

The Vulcan is a straightforward pushrod design, with 2 valves per cylinder. Bore is 3.5 in (88.9 mm) and stroke is 3.15 in (80.0 mm). The engine was designed to use electronic fuel injection from the start (there was never a carburetor-equipped version), and was also sold in a "flexible fuel" configuration that could burn normal gasoline, E85 (a blend of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol) or any mixture of these two fuels.

In 1991, it was updated with lower-friction pistons, a strengthened block, roller camshaft and other changes that resulted in a power rating of 145 hp (108 kW) and a torque rating of 160 ft·lbf (216 Nm). In 1998 further improvements were made, with a new intake manifold, changes in engine management and cam timing; output was further increased to 155 hp (115 kW) and 185 ft·lbf (251 Nm). A plastic upper intake was added in 2001.

It is likely that Ford chose this name in homage to Vulcan, the mythological Roman god of fire and ironworking, as the engine is a fully cast iron design.

This engine has become very well-known for its durability, and it is not uncommon to find engines running strong at 300,000 miles and beyond.

The Vulcan is now used only in the Ranger, which has been scheduled to end production in 2008. It is unknown which engine will be used in the Ranger's replacement, but Ford insiders report that Vulcan production will end in 2007.

Applications:

• 1986-1997 Ford Aerostar
• 1986-2007 Ford Taurus
• 1986-2005 Mercury Sable
• 1990-1992 Ford Probe
• 1991-present Ford Ranger
• 1992-1994 Ford Tempo
• 1992-1994 Mercury Topaz
• 1994-present Mazda B-3000
• 1995-2003 Ford Windstar

CMOS :-wink

glad my 1993 probe gt i had back in the day had the 2.5 24v dohc mazda engine.
the only other version of the engine for the probe was a 4cyl, didnt know they offered the 3.0.

yup, the gt's up to 92 were 3.0's, 93-97 gt's and gts's were the 2.5

i had a 1994 4-cylinder auto. i miss that car, was fun to drive, but i can honestly say my 00 civic is more fun to drive.

Some more technical stuff: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb90450.htm

Guess we know when that info was published - only goes up to 2003.

Good stuff.

CMOS

It's strange, I had a aerostar with the 3.0 and drove a taurus with the 3.0 and they were both alot quicker than a ranger with the 3.0, I wonder why?

Gearing perhaps. Most of the 3.0 Rangers come with the 4:10 rear end.

[shrugs]

CMOS

Yeah, but 4:10's should make the ranger quicker, it can't be weight, maybe it's in the tune, I don't know. The aerostar would excellerate hard and fast.

I'd guess a 4x4 Ranger is heavier, too, and has bigger tires.

Even the 2wd ranger 3.0's are slugs compared to other vehicles with the 3.0, there's something different.

Perhaps the situation is similar to the 2.3 in the Ranger -- I read it is de-tuned a bit for the Ranger compared to its applications in the Escape/Fusion/Mazda3/Focus in an effort to have it be more durable and handle the heavier loads of truck duty.

Funny...you never think of the 3.slow as a "sport" engine.

Good info both you guys, thanks for that.

I find my ranger (91 3.0L) pretty peppy even with 420lbs of sand in the back and 27" tall tires (hurts accel compared to the stock like 25" tall tires). It only has 3.45s out back.

Your confusing the 3.0L OHV "vulcan" with the 3.0L DOHC "duratec". ;)

Is the ranger not heavier then? im suprised; I would think its tuned for torque rather than speed for our application.