• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

New purchase, overall status, anything missing?


rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,386
Reaction score
7,476
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
1st pic is where the air intake tube is supposed tto hook too before the filter...i believe.

2nd pic is an AC service port.
 


RobbieD

2.9l Mafia
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,875
Reaction score
3,445
Points
113
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1984,1990,1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Toonces drives a Ranger . . . . just not very well.

eightynine4x4

Active Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Messages
673
Reaction score
178
Points
43
Location
New York
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5" Suspension
Tire Size
31 x 10.5 x 15
1st pic is where the air intake tube is supposed tto hook too before the filter...i believe.

2nd pic is an AC service port.
Gotcha thanks! I'll dig into the air intake situation.
Any thoughts about the plastic black tube dangling down from radiator ? That one seems more suspect..
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,369
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
1st picture is for the Warm Air intake, often left open when its duct deteriorates
The duct is a metal flexible tube that runs to a thin steel chamber around the exhaust manifold
When outside air temp is cold and engine is started a vacuum valve opens this duct and sucks in the warmer air around the exhaust manifold so engine can warm up faster
The thin steel air chamber around the exhaust manifold is often left off after engine work, so make sure its there before trying to restore this system
Looks something like this: https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/opg-g201173.jpg
It attaches to exhaust manifold studs and the flex tube from the vacuum valve hooks up to it
These can make a ratting sound if loose or bent, another reason they are removed

Once engine is warmed up a bit, 2 or 3 min, the valve closes and the cold air intake is used
So not an integral part of engine operation, its more for emissions, the faster an engine warms up the lower the emissions
 
Last edited:

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,386
Reaction score
7,476
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
1st picture is for the Warm Air intake, often left open when its duct deteriorates
The duct is a metal flexible tube that runs to a thin steel chamber around the exhaust manifold
When outside air temp is cold and engine is started a vacuum valve opens this duct and sucks in the warmer air around the exhaust manifold so engine can warm up faster
The thin steel air chamber around the exhaust manifold is often left off after engine work, so make sure its there before trying to restore this system
Looks something like this: https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/opg-g201173.jpg
It attaches to exhaust manifold studs and the flex tube from the vacuum valve hooks up to it
These can make a ratting sound if loose or bent, another reason they are removed

Once engine is warmed up a bit, 2 or 3 min, the valve closes and the cold air intake is used
So not an integral part of engine operation, its more for emissions, the faster an engine warms up the lower the emissions
They used those on fuel injection?
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,324
Reaction score
16,583
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,386
Reaction score
7,476
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
I dont recall ever seeing one on rusty even when she was new? I dont know maybe i didnt pay attention.
2.9 has it too, pulls warm air off the exhaust manifold
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,386
Reaction score
7,476
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...

eightynine4x4

Active Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Messages
673
Reaction score
178
Points
43
Location
New York
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5" Suspension
Tire Size
31 x 10.5 x 15
Ok,
Next up...
Something(s) missing here?
This is peaking in from the left front wheel well. The lift makes this nice and easy to see things.
There are at least two large holes sitting open down there, which is the drivers side of the engine. There is also some kind of unmounted bracket point which i also circled.
On a side note, i drove the truck around the block yesterday. It's actually performing better than when i test drove it. No smoke even when accelerating up a steel hill. Maybe that MAP sensor truly was in need.

50219


50220
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
.....are you missing an entire freeze plug?

Photos unclear.
 

eightynine4x4

Active Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Messages
673
Reaction score
178
Points
43
Location
New York
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5" Suspension
Tire Size
31 x 10.5 x 15
It's quite tough to get a good shot of, but here's a pic that shows both big holes together.
I can't see this section of the engine from any other angle unfortunately. Hence i didn't catch it until i was looking inside the well for some other stuff.
On the note of freeze plugs, here's a video that seems to be quite related. I can only see two open spots in my engine but perhaps there are more. Looks like a nightmare to try and plug them with the engine installed. Why, and how, would someone remove these?




50222
 

Attachments

Roert42

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
4,774
Reaction score
4,955
Points
113
Location
Kintersville, PA
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ranger XLT
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
If the freeze plug was missing you would also have no coolant in the engine.
 

eightynine4x4

Active Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Messages
673
Reaction score
178
Points
43
Location
New York
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5" Suspension
Tire Size
31 x 10.5 x 15
If the freeze plug was missing you would also have no coolant in the engine.
Apparently some people say you can still run it you just have to keep the coolant level constantly topped off. My truck's coolant level is good. It's not healthy and needs to be flushed, but it's at a good level. This makes this all a little weird. I've noticed no leaks of any sort.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,324
Reaction score
16,583
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I don’t think thats a freeze plug hole, judging by the images in that video.

There are often extra holes and extra threaded holes in castings like that. Could be mounting points for optional equipment or for using that engine in other vehicles, earlier versions, etc. If it’s not leaking something from the hole, it’s not likely a problem.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top