I have a 99 ford ranger 3.0 that had a spun bearing and bent rod. For 50$ i was able to pick up another 3.0 from a 1997 Taurus. It had a blown head gasket. We replaced the head gasket and swapped all the ranger parts to this new engine. We didnt think to mark the cam positioning sensor or anything when we swapped it.

Now its all back together and it will start after about 5 minutes of cranking it.
It runs like sh*t. it is getting spark on all cylinders. We unplugged each spark plug wire to see if it was one specific cylinder that wasnt firing...The entire drivers side bank is not firing. It is getting spark. So it runs no different when you have all plugs connected compared to when you have only the passenger side connected.

We tried messing with the cam positioning sensor and turning it but that made no difference. We also tried unplugging it and that made no difference. I assume it is getting fuel so yeah...i dont know what do.

There is no CEL. I am assuming its the cam positioning sensor but i dont want to replace it if its not the problem.

please any help is appreciated.

Has anyone had a cam positioni8ng sensor go bad? does anybody know how to diagnose a bad cam positioning sensor?

Hi,
Surprised your not aware of the CPS as its the great destroyer of Vulcan motors. It requires a special jig to align & install. Usually when they fail (from lack of lubrication at the gear) they toast the motor as the cam gets out of time and pistons smack valves.