Head Gasket 4.0 1987 Ranger 4x4

[sun417]

I have a fouled out #2 sparkplug and it appears to be coolant and oil on it. I think I have to replace a head gasket just wondering how much work this would be for someone who has never worked on a fuel injected vehicle or computer. Last time I worked on a car was my falcon back in 70. Plan to port and polis while they are out and replace the water pump does that sound like the way to go??

 

[fdnl33ranger]

I've got a 91 ranger with 4.0 me and one of my friends took the whole top end off in 2 hrs last nite one of my heads were cracked. If u need help just go to an auto parts store and u can buy a book for the ranger and it wil tell u step by step how to tear it dwn.

 

[MAKG]

Head gaskets are head gaskets. They don't know what kind of fuel system you have.

Changes due to EFI are minimal. A few more electrical connectors. Far fewer vacuum lines.

But as in the 70s, the first thing to do is get the ID right. There was no 1987 Ranger with a 4.0L. Put a 4.0L head gasket in a 2.9L (or vice versa), and the results won't be nice.

The only real "gotcha" is that Fel-Pro lower intake gaskets suck donkeys -- they don't have end gaskets anymore. Get one from the dealer or you get to choose between big blobs of RTV in the crankcase or a big oil leak at the back (or maybe front) of the engine.

 

[F150hybred]

Um... MAKG, I hate to burst your bubble... but Fel-Pro took care of the crappy lower intake gasket situation. They now make a complete gasket set that rectifies the problem and works great... without the globs of sealant.

 

[MAKG]

Good. Their old ones used to be like that as well.

Good to hear they pulled their heads out. It sure looked like a desperate cost cutting measure.

Though if you'd seen the OEM gaskets, you would still be impressed. Ford did some nice work on some of those (and they aren't as expensive as some people think). Same deal with valve cover gaskets. OEMs can't be crushed.