3.0L Vulcan F.A.Q.
Who made the 3.0L Vulcan V-6 Engine?
What years were they in production?
What parts will swap regardless of configuration?
Can I put a Taurus (Sable, Tempo, Topaz, Probe) engine in my Ranger (Aerostar, B3000)?
How far can I bore one out?
How far can I increase/decrease the stroke?
What heads swap?
Can I make an early block into a roller cam block?
Can I use a post '95 (EDIS) block/engine for my Early (Distributor) one?
Why does my 3.0L ping/knock?
Who made the 3.0L Vulcan V-6 Engine?
The Ford 3.0L Vulcan Engine was a "ground-up" V-6 engine that is metric based. Parts are produced by different
manufacturers (Block is by Sherwood Metal Products and the
Intakes are cast at Essex Casting Plant, Windsor, Ontario, etc). The engines are assembled at the Lima Engine
Plant, Lima Ohio, by Ford. The 3.0L SHO engine was produced by Yamaha based on the 3.0L Vulcan and some parts will
swap, but not without machine work.
What years were they in production?
1986 to 2004 (possibly 2005 due to recent cutbacks/losses). The first versions were the FWD (Taurus) and the RWD
(Aerostar) and the 3.0L engine is partially responsible for saving the company. For more information on this,
read the book.
Prior to 5/31/1991, all parts inside the block and heads will swap. After that, there was a new block, cam,
lifters and associated hardware. All heads will swap but may lose "upgrades". Timing covers swap, but
the timing pointer was removed in 1995 for the Crank Position Sensor. Swap in groups: '86 to '94, '95 to '97,
'98 to '01, '02 to '04 to avoid MAJOR disign changes (head bolts, intake changes, and such), but, for the most part, the
blocks are FWD/RWD and Hyd/Roller. THe heads swap accross the board, but watch out for the early FWD heads, they
tend to crack alot! (more on that later)
I wouldn't, and here is why: The FWD engines (or car) have a reverse flow coolant pump and different head gaskets
that allow the water to leave the head from front and rear. The RWD (Truck) engines feed normally, and the water
enters the heads (mainly) from the LARGE oval holes in the rear of the block. Without changing the head gaskets,
there will be cooling problems.
How good of a machinist are you/do you have? How deep are your pockets? 1mm/.040" is supported by Ford.
There are 3.552" pistons (...you know which ones I'm talking about!), that are .049" over stock. The real
question is: Do you NEED to bore it? Normally aspirated? Sure. Damaged/worn bores and it has to be
machined any way? Absolutely! Turbo/supercharger/nitrous? Doubtful, unless you want to raise the
compression, which could be dangerous.
Again, how good of a machinist are you/do you have? How deep are your pockets? .010"/.020"/.030" bearings are
available, so you can change the stroke by offset grinding the cranks rod journals and using oversized bearings. The
real question is: Do you NEED to stroke it? Normally aspirated? Sure. Damaged journal and it has to be
machined any way? Absolutely! Turbo/supercharger/nitrous? Doubtful, unless you want to lower the
compression (and reduce static displacement) that is...
None. There are NO heads that will swap on to the Vulcan block. You can swap ANY Vulcan head (FWD/RWD) to any
Vulcan block, but be sure to use the correct head bolts (Pre-'98/Post'98) and head gaskets for your application (FWD/RWD).
Better yet, ask Alabama Cylinder Heads for their
NEW thick casting heads!
Don't bother. These engines are SO plentiful, it is NOT worth the $800+ to do. If you want more out of your
hydraulic stick (Non-Roller Cam), I can help! How about a very aggressive, non-pump up, adjustable valvetrain good
to 6500 RPMs on your Hyd cam block?
Yes, pull the Cam Position Sensor, install the distributor. You may need to swap the front covers to keep your timing
pointer.
The end!
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