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Mercury Vulcan V6 specs: 182 ci (3.0L) 6-cylinder, 3.50 x 3.15 in (88.9 x 80 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 140-154 hp, 1991–2008. Used in the Ford Ranger. OHV.
The Mercury Vulcan V6 is oversquare — the 3.5" bore exceeds the 3.1496" stroke by 11.1% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.1496" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,600 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 30.3 ci (497 cc).
It is one of 2 engines in the Vulcan family, all of them 182 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 18 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 140 to 154 hp across 1991–2008.
| Displacement | 182 ci / 3 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5" |
| Stroke | 3.1496" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.111 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 140–154 hp |
| Years | 1991–2008 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.111 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,150 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 30.3 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 145 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1992 | 145 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1993 | — | Vulcan V6 |
| 1994 | 140 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1995 | 147 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1996 | 147 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1997 | 147 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1998 | 150 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 1999 | 150 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2000 | 150 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2001 | 150 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2002 | 154 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2003 | 154 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2004 | 148 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2005 | 148 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2006 | 148 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2007 | 148 hp | Vulcan V6 |
| 2008 | 148 hp | Vulcan V6 |