1987 Ranger Needs Help

[carellano67]

My son bought a 1987 manual transmission Ranger so I could teach him to driven manual. It is so fun!

He JUST got the transmission replaced before he left for Alaska and the first day I drove, it the engine blew. It's now in storage and I'm here looking for information so we can get her back in the road as inexpensively as possible.

Not looking for extra power, not looking for anything fancy. The fact that it only goes 62 was fine...

I look forward to reading through the boards and learning as we go. Thanks in advance for your counsel.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Welcome to TRS.

Im assuming its a 4 cylinder since it was so slow? Lol

What makes you think it grenaded?

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome!

That's actually a nice looking truck. It deserves to be saved.

Will you be dependent on paying a shop or a mechanic to do the work?

 

[carellano67]

Hi Gentlemen,

It's the 2.9 unfortunately.

The shop I took it too gave us a diagnostic and estimate. He is an adult and had the best reviews it the area, so I'm trusting that he knows his craft.

Shop quoted 4k min for a replacement if he can find one used.

A friend of mine says he'll help us put in another if we can find one.

I'm not having good luck finding one...

 

[RobbieD]

It sounds like you'll be dealing with a shop. That's good that you checked reviews, and of course use your own instincts on the trust part.

That being said, having a shop, that you trust, install a remanufactured engine is likely your most viable option.

Was his estimate based on doing this?

And, did his diagnostic describe the damage he found, and/or explain why the old motor died?

 

[pentode]

Check car-part.com
There are quite a few 2.9s scattered around the country listed as good runners. Obviously caveat emptor and due diligence but they're out there.
Does your friend that's willing to help have an engine hoist? It is possible to DIY an engine swap with meticulous planning and at least moderately solid mechanical skills.

 

[RobbieD]

Maybe it's my pessimistic cynicism, but I'd be leery of buying a 2.9 sight unseen, and shipped from a distance. Mainly because of the known weakness of the heads and overheating. Getting a bum motor, or worse paying somebody to put in a bad motor, would be hard to resolve with a distant seller.

It would be one thing, to have some experienced help, AND to know what to look for when shopping for a used motor. Especially for a 2.9, and they don't exactly grow on trees anymore.

For a person without a lot of experience, and isn't as knowledgeable about these trucks as a lot of us here, biting bullet and investing in a reman engine installed by a shop that will back their work would be worth considering.

If it were me I would look for a firm "turn key" price quote, use the reman company that the shop prefers (do research them, of course), and have it made clear in the work agreement that if the reman motor is defective, that the shop takes care of the labor to correct it.

Yes, it's an investment, but the truck really looks like a decent one, and the tranny was just done. So, basically a new drivetrain which should last for years.

 

[pentode]

Maybe it's my pessimistic cynicism, but I'd be leery of buying a 2.9 sight unseen, and shipped from a distance. Mainly because of the known weakness of the heads and overheating. Getting a bum motor, or worse paying somebody to put in a bad motor, would be hard to resolve with a distant seller.

It would be one thing, to have some experienced help, AND to know what to look for when shopping for a used motor. Especially for a 2.9, and they don't exactly grow on trees anymore.

For a person without a lot of experience, and isn't as knowledgeable about these trucks as a lot of us here, biting bullet and investing in a reman engine installed by a shop that will back their work would be worth considering.

If it were me I would look for a firm "turn key" price quote, use the reman company that the shop prefers (do research them, of course), and have it made clear in the work agreement that if the reman motor is defective, that the shop takes care of the labor to correct it.

Yes, it's an investment, but the truck really looks like a decent one, and the tranny was just done. So, basically a new drivetrain which should last for years.

No, I don't think you're being overly cynical and I agree with you across the board. I think finding a good engine at a distance is probably going to be harder than doing the actual swap - which is why I felt I needed to double down on the caveat emptor. I just wanted let them know that it is feasible since they mentioned the helpful friend possibility and that they were willing to learn, and mainly just in case the potential $4 expense was a bridge too far.
Which reminds me - I think much slower than I used to - when you're up into the 4 digit price range I do think a second opinion is justified. Not because I think 4k is outrageous for a guaranteed replacement (seems reasonable anyway) but more for the diagnosis. I hope they get back to us with what mechanic 1 actually said was wrong. I know moving around a broken vehicle is a problem- maybe there's a good mobile tech in the area?
Last thought... On these 2.9s, when an engine swap is necessary, is there anything else you could retrofit in there that would be easier to find?

 

[RobbieD]

No, I don't think you're being overly cynical and I agree with you across the board. I think finding a good engine at a distance is probably going to be harder than doing the actual swap - which is why I felt I needed to double down on the caveat emptor. I just wanted let them know that it is feasible since they mentioned the helpful friend possibility and that they were willing to learn, and mainly just in case the potential $4 expense was a bridge too far.
Which reminds me - I think much slower than I used to - when you're up into the 4 digit price range I do think a second opinion is justified. Not because I think 4k is outrageous for a guaranteed replacement (seems reasonable anyway) but more for the diagnosis. I hope they get back to us with what mechanic 1 actually said was wrong. I know moving around a broken vehicle is a problem- maybe there's a good mobile tech in the area?
Last thought... On these 2.9s, when an engine swap is necessary, is there anything else you could retrofit in there that would be easier to find?

Not that I disagree with using a used engine; your suggestion to look at carpart.com was a good one. But there is just so much more potential for problems when trying to find a healthy replacement for an engine that's been out of production for over 30 years, and especially one that has a known weakness if it's been overheated.

It would definitely help a lot, in our offering suggestions to the OP, if we knew more about what the mechanic says is wrong with the current engine.

Unfortunately there's no easy "plug and play" for an alternative engine. A 4.0 swap is possible, but more difficult on a 1987 model than say, a '90 model. Downgrading to the 2.3 4 cylinder is also possible, with it's own difficulties and in this case the recently replaced transmission wouldn't be able to be used.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

2.9's rarely "blow".

Yes they crack heads, and yes they tick and do all sorts of other weird stuff....but actual total failure isnt super common. Not unheard of, but uncommon.

Were there diagnostics done on the current engine? If it could really only do 62mph i would atleast do a compression test. If the compression is good...pull the dipstick. Look for metallic in the oil. Any weird discoloration of the oil? Like snotty looking slime? If none...and the compression is good...its likely your engine can be saved.

Lack of power could be many things....clogged cat comes to mind.

Or is it simply not running? Is it getting fuel and spark?

Im not trying to be an ass just trying to save ya some money.

But yes buying a used engine is a gamble....so is a reman really but it comes with a warranty.

 

[pentode]

Great suggestions. There's a lot of simple things the OP can do to verify the diagnosis without paying another mechanic. Glad you mentioned that as I got target fixation again.