98 Ford Ranger 3.0 L blown head gasket dillema

[TeamOK]

I need some advice on addressing this problem. I have driven under this condition for a few months before realizing it was a head gasket problem . It will be a costly repair and probably cost me half of what the vehicle is worth . I have 140K miles on the engine . The radiator is getting slugged up and for what it is worth to have it cleaned out I could probably buy a new one for a little more I am assuming . Also it was recommended to just get a good low mileage engine and swap it out considering that the lower end may give me problems even though I have the top end repaired (heads milled & both head gaskets changed) . I am leaning toward a low milage engine since it will extend the service life of my truck . This is a 98 model v-6 3.0L engine . I have looked and am having a hard time finding 98 . Can you just drop a 99 or 97 etc (they are all the same horsepower) and have it fit like a 98 without a lot of extra modifications other than a computer update ?
Thanks

[TeamExploder]

Oh yeah, I would think you should be able to take a 3.0 out of about any ranger and it would bolt up, don't think they've changed the bellhousing's or motor mounts, It should be the same the whole way except maybe the computer of course.

[TeamOK]

I dropped in at the local salvage yard and the owner checked his book for compatible engines and it showed the only other year you could just drop and bolt one in , without any modifications , was a 1999 . Even then he said there are times when something don't fit as planned and you have to do a little finnessing . He did not have one but I finally found one on the internet out of state and made arrangements for them to frieght it in for about $50 bucks more . It would have cost me at least that in gas to go get it . It was a low mileage engine with only 36K on it and they gave me a 90 day warrenty . I should know sooner than that wether it is going to be a reliable engine . Most the salvage yards are closed here due to the bad storm we had come through this week and most the city is without electricity . So I have spent $800 in plastic and will spend that much to have it installed . I had to have it shipped to a business as they would not ship it to my house . An earlier estimate for the head gasket repair was approx. $1100 .

[TeamExploder]

Jeesh, well glad to hear you've found yourself a replacement engine.