Villager/Quest 3.0 Engine Compatibility

I got a hand-me-down freebie 93 Villager from my Mom about 18 months ago. It had been overheated when she owned it so I knew I'd be looking at a head gasket job at the least. I've managed to make it last this long but now the water usage is getting way worse, and the oil has started getting quite water contaminated. I'm sure the bottom end has suffered as a result of all of the water/coolant that's been getting into the oil.

So now I'm looking into finding a decent replacement engine and am wondering if anyone knows if all 93 - 98 Villager and Quest 3.0 engines are compatible. Another question I've got is whether the engine can be r&r from above. I've got the 1993 Ford service manual for the car and of course their procedure is to drop the engine/trans-axle combo out the bottom. I've got access to a nice work area this summer in my folks garage, but there's no way I'm going to be able to do the job if the engine has to come out the bottom.

I'm kind of miffed about spending about a grand a year ago getting the timing belt, water pump, and tires replaced, but on the flip side that's all I've got into this thing and I don't want to go throwing good money after bad!

I've got other cars to drive while I tinker with this thing over the summer, but I do like having a minivan in the stable for those times I have to haul half of the soccer team around.

Have you tryed a salvage yard for used engine? Check into a jasper remanufactored engine. Salvage yard should be able to tell you what engine will work. (It is a Nissan engine, Quest and Villager have the samme engine.)
If you would get a used engine consider but in a new timing belt and water pump on while engine is out of vehicle. I would say with engine out it shouldn't take more than hour to change both. Keep us posted.

Check out this post:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/message/38148 it talks about removing engine from top and installing a 96 crankshaft in a 93.

93 thru 95 have a crankshaft that is prone to break at the front of engine because of overtightening power steering, alt., and A/C belts.

Between 5-1-95 to 2-1-96 there was a recall on the engines because of a oil passage hole left out in the block causing wear on the clyinder walls and creating piston slap.

96 thru 98 is a OBDII system and I have read that engine should work but the intake may need to be replaced with the 93 intake and some sensors may need to be changed also.

hope this helps