deRangerous
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2020
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger Ext
- Transmission
- Automatic
I recently bought a '99 4.0 OHV w/ over a quarter million miles on the cheap figuring with the money saved we could get it up to speed maintenance-wise, etc....I get home and start poking around and observe an erratic idle, slightly low vacuum(15in) and a little steam coming off the back of the engine to accompany my 171 & 174 DTC's. Having browsed several forums I was digging into the motor assuming I would find messed up intake gaskets. This engine was so covered in gunk that I couldn't really tell where all the leaks actually were. I realize now I should have finished my exploratory with a compression/leak-down test and a pressure test of the cooling system at a minimum to help identify where all the issues were most likely to be found. I cleaned the MAF, idle control, throttle body and did propane and brake cleaner spray testing without finding my leak so I tore it down figuring it was work that needed done anyway. As I take it apart I saw evidence suggesting a severe overheating was likely as well as JB weld on the intake so I was concerned about possible cracks in the intakes, heads or...? I also found a couple of freeze plugs that were leaking as well as the valve covers looked to be puking oil as well (a helluva mess). I pressure washed the engine and started re-assembly. I didn't like the look of the lower intake manifold so I bought a Dorman unit off ebay. Everything was progressing nicely until I tried to install the coolant temperature sensors on the front of the intake which are trying to strip on me. Was I supposed to take the manifold to be machined before installation? I thought it came ready to go. I really don't want to take the valve covers off to pull the manifold and take it to a shop. What size tap do I need to clean up these shoddy chinese threads and does anyone know where I can buy it? This manifold has some really thin clearances where the injectors are located and the overall machine work is weak compared to the original. You got what you paid for, I guess. That being said, does anybody have any constructive advice for me? Thanks in advance for any help provided!