Blown engine

Pif · May 16, 2014

So after dumping more than $1500 and many hours into my truck, I took it on a grand voyage to America. Power was less than anemic, and fuel economy was horrendous. I should have stopped, but I had a firm deadline to make.

Well, about 14 hours of driving and she lost enough power that I pulled off the road and noticed the cloud of smoke starting from the engine bay. No fire, but no compression on 1 cylinder.

I caught a lift to the event, but the truck was towed to Eastern PA and there it sits. I'm told a 100 pin 2.9 is almost impossible to find now, and on top of that it needs a gas tank and muffler. I'm lucky in that it's at a friends who will fix it if I can provide the parts.

What do I do?

Slammin Sam · May 16, 2014

I don't think a used 2.9 should be that hard to find, especially in PA. You may have to drive a few hours to pick it up, but after the dollars you have invested, having a friend to help, you should fix it. Try to find an 89 or newer because they have the better heads. An online search will turn up quite a few. If the heads are good on your current 2.9, pull them before you scrap the motor. Many will suggest a 4.0 conversion, but 14+ hours from home makes that unworkable.

RonD · May 16, 2014

+1 ^^

RangerSVT · May 16, 2014

Many talk about a 4.0 swap, but not many have considered or even tried a 4.0 OBD2 swap, with only 6 wires I can have that motor running in anything. Add a couple more wires for oil pressure and water temp, 3 more for the diagnostic port, and your good to go...

SVT

adsm08 · May 16, 2014

RangerSVT said:
Many talk about a 4.0 swap, but not many have considered or even tried a 4.0 OBD2 swap, with only 6 wires I can have that motor running in anything. Add a couple more wires for oil pressure and water temp, 3 more for the diagnostic port, and your good to go...

SVT

I considered. I rejected, for the moment, due to budgetary, time, constraints, and considerations of component locations. I do plan to revist the idea of an early OBDII setup in a year or two, when I have more time.

SenorNoob · May 16, 2014

I thought about it myself, then realized that it required at least one sensor that people here seem to have lots of trouble with. (Cam Position sensor anybody?)

wildbill23c · May 16, 2014

2.9L Hard to find. Weird, well ok maybe it depends on where you live? Just was at the pick-a-part yesterday and walked by about a dozen Rangers with the 2.9L V6. Another thing....EBAY they're listed on there all the time along with 2.8L engines.

adsm08 · May 16, 2014

Where is the truck exactly? I might be able to lend a hand getting her on the road again.

Pif · May 16, 2014

The truck is located in Hawley PA currently.

The body has a few holes, but it is the best example I could find in my area. I had planned on patching it up more once it made it back from its maiden voyage.

It's my understanding now that I'm going to have to pay my buddies dad to help... $2800 plus gas sunk into a one way trip. It's killing me that I may have to junk it for $300 after putting so many hours into it and coming to love it so much. B2's have so much character. I miss her already.

adsm08 · May 16, 2014

Ug, Hawley is over 2 hours from me.

Pif · May 16, 2014

adsm08 said:
Ug, Hawley is over 2 hours from me.

Yeah, that's sorta what I figured. Thanks though

jhammel85 · May 17, 2014

Search car-part.com

Its an online database of junkyard inventory. I really Dont see how you can't find a good junkyard motor in PA. Wish you weren't so far from me because I'd help too

Pif · May 27, 2014

My buddy has been on the hunt for a donor vehicle, starting to wonder how possible it is to do a full drivetrain swap, and how feasible. So far he's only found a 1996 F150 XLT 4wd 5mt, but I don't think any of that is compatible.

Blown engine

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