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  #1  
Old 08-17-2010, 07:03 PM
Brizane Brizane is offline
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Default Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

First, hello, everyone. I've spent a long time reading here, every time I have an issue with my Ranger. You all are some great help to us out here.

Now, I'm in some deep water here. I blew at least the head gasket. My mechanic tells me I had 2 quarts of water in my pistons, and my oil looks horrid. I just got it home and parked it in the garage, trying to figure out what to do.

I checked Craigslist, after learning here that I could fairly cheaply swap my motor out with a like model. But, this has brought up some issues. So, I'm hoping you all can help me.

I found a 2002 3.0 motor. Its not Flex Fuel. Its also off an automatic, and mine is a 5 speed manual.

1. Will a non-Flex Fuel swap out exactly with my old Flex Fuel?

2. Is there going to be an issue going from a motor mounted to a manual, vs one from an automatic?

I found another add for a 3.0 Flex Fuel, but when I called the guy ( I am pretty sure he was a junk yard), He had me go to my door panel and read the date on the sticker there. After telling him (10/98 by the way), he told me his was a different date, and it wouldn't work.

3. Is there a year issue, with my motor? If so, what years are compatible with my truck?

I race dirt bikes, and i can tear them down to every nut and bolt, and put them back together again. While I am new to working on trucks, I think I am mechanically inclined enought o swap out a motor, if I can work out the details of things I do not know.

Thank you again for all your time and help.

Brizane
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  #2  
Old 08-17-2010, 07:10 PM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

Whether the engine comes from an automatic or a manual doesn't matter, you just need to swap the clutch and fly wheel off the old engine to the new.

Concerning the flex fuel and the date, I couldn't tell you. Hopefully some one else will know.

BTW, what kind of mileage do you have on your clutch? It might be worth considering a new clutch kit while you have the engine out. Maybe a new slave cylinder if yours is like mine and is in the bell housing.
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  #3  
Old 08-17-2010, 08:19 PM
Brizane Brizane is offline
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Default Re: Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

I had my clutch redone less than a year ago, so I figure it to be in great shape.

As I am beginning to understand, I only need to swap my fuel injection system, if I go a non-flex fuel. Not that I have any idea yet, how to do that.

Brizane
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Old 08-17-2010, 08:51 PM
SmokeyMcPot420 SmokeyMcPot420 is offline
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Default Re: Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

I would just get a flex fuel engine and not deal with everything..I went from a non flex fuel to flex fuel and had alot of problems. the CEL never goes off, it will say its a o2 sensor, I replaced it and it didnt do anything. Save yourself a hassle and get the same engine thats in it now.
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1998 Ford Ranger

147,000 on chassis, 50,000 on engine.
3.0 v6 5 speed 4x4...4x4 don't work lol

What I hope to do- Paint wheels, new head unit, exhaust, fix four wheel drive.
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Old 08-17-2010, 08:52 PM
SmokeyMcPot420 SmokeyMcPot420 is offline
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Default Re: Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

I think the computers are diff, and thats whats caused my problems
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1998 Ford Ranger

147,000 on chassis, 50,000 on engine.
3.0 v6 5 speed 4x4...4x4 don't work lol

What I hope to do- Paint wheels, new head unit, exhaust, fix four wheel drive.
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  #6  
Old 08-19-2010, 12:30 PM
Brizane Brizane is offline
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Default Re: Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

You guys are so helpful. This is great. Ok, so let me give more info, maybe my situation is not as bad as I think. Here's the scoop, as I saw it...

I drove to a BBQ on Saturday. Drove home, parked in the garage. When I got out of the truck, the garage felt very hot. Now I live in Phoenix, and it was 110 that day, but still, it seemed hotter than normal. Still, obviously not enough to concern me. Didn't drive on Sunday.

Monday morning, got up early for the gym. Hopped in the truck and about 2 miles from home the motor died when I clutched, coming up on a stop sign. Turned the radio off, and she fired right up. Turned the corner of the block, hit the radio, and then next stop sign, died again coasting after clutching. Figured it to be a bad alternator or battery, turned around and drove home. After the local autozone open, drove it there for a check. The said my battery was dead. Bought a new one, slapped it in, headed home to pick up my work things, and head to work. All seemed well.

About a mile fom home, heading to work, pulled away from a stop sign, and she felt sluggish, like I was in the wrong gear. Pulled over, and she died. Wouldn't restart. I pushed her home, popped the hood and checked my oil. Saw water drops on the dipstick. Checked the radiator, couldn't see water. Added water, and she took tons. Seriously, like she was empty.

Had it tow'd to my mechanic. He calls me later, says the engine is blown, found 2 quarts of water in the piston tubes, and the oil looked like melted ice cream. Tow'd it home, not sure really what to do.

And, here I am. Money is really tight, so I'm having to learn to do all this on my own.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

I really do appreciated all your help.

Brizane

P.S. I am writing this from my iPhone at work, so please forgive my spelling and grammar.
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  #7  
Old 08-19-2010, 05:36 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Help with my '99 Flex Fuel

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brizane View Post
1. Will a non-Flex Fuel swap out exactly with my old Flex Fuel?
I won't try to answer this question exacty but I will say that most, if not all of what makes your vehicle a flex fuel is located under the chassis.

You can run any vehice with E85 but a flex fuel vehice has some fuel/emission components are made from sightly differnt materials to better withstand the higher corrosiveness of ethenal over time.
Plus a special sensor on the fuel line that tells the engine management in advance what fuel composition is being delivered so that the feedback from the 02 sensors is processed in that context and instead of the engine management having to rely on feedback to adjust timing etc.
That's still a vague answer to what your asking though. You're looking for facts not speculation.



Is your current engine seized up? Shoot just three weeks ago I thought my sisters focus was nuked after she forced it to run without coolant for ??? - smoking stumbling hissing knocking. Looked bad. But after less than a week I had it back in business.
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