kfant

i have a 88 mercury sable motor 3.0 that im wanting to put in my 85 ranger 4x4.the problems are that i dont know if a bellhousing off a 86 ranger with a 2.9 will fit.or the original out of my 85 with a 2.8 motor.i looked up what year ford started to use the 3.0 and they are the exact motor that was in the sable..in 1992 or so the ford discontinued use of the 2.9 and used only 3.0 for the v6.does anyone know if the bellhousings i have will swap or am i wasting alot of time??????? and another thing the 2.8 and 2.9 the oil filter is installed directly under the motor on passengerside.the 3.0 is sticking out toward the steering box on driver side.will the exhaust and oil filter clear my frame on the 3.0????? i have a 6 to 8 in lift with 33x12.50x15 on my truck so i got a little play but will the motor being designed this way affect installation?????any pointers or helpful information would be great.please help