• 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.

2.5L ('98-'01) Replace engine or replace head


TheRacer02

New Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Phx
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Manual
So almost 3 years ago I purchased a 98 with a blown head gasket for $250....first weekend my wife and I swapped the head gasket. Found a decent crack in cylinder 1 at the time we didn't care(bought the truck to teach her how to drive stick....later fell in love with the truck and now my DD) ....finished the head gasket swap and threw some stop leak in the coolant. That was 3 years ago and I have been driving the truck daily in az heat with zero issues.

2 weeks ago I was doing an oil change and discovered my coolant res empty radiator was maybe 3/4 full. I wasn't surprised stop leak is wearing off and its leaking into cylinder 1 again.

What would you do?

Replace cylinder head with a reman and drive off happy

Or a full new long block?

Seeing long blocks avg 1700-3300

Reman heads 550 max?
 


Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Long block..... those bearings are not long for this world after the antifreeze gets in there.... im surprised it lasted as long as it did.

If you like that truck enough and you think its worth the money might as well do it right. Get a jasper or equivalent with a warranty.
 

TheRacer02

New Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Phx
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Yeah jasper quoted me around 3300 delivered to my door. It may be a bit steep for me. I am still looking around. The bearings never saw coolant (coolant jacket to cylinder) changed the oil after the gasket swap just was dirty oil not maybe 1% water. Truck also sat for 6 months im still shocked its such a good truck!!
 

Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
There was most likely mixing if the piston was steam cleaned. You could just throw a head on and timing chain but normally a high mileage engine throws that bottom end out depending on mileage after tightening up the top end and not the bottom. In my experience. So maybe a full rebuild would be a better option if you can do most of it yourself. Obviously you gonna need some tools you may not have or take the short block to a machine shop and get it line honed/decked.... etc to prepare for the new head. Hospital clean surfaces and all... but its hard to decide I know..

Plus you're gonna want to get that block hot tanked after using that stuff.
 

TheRacer02

New Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Phx
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Yeah will not be doing the rebuild my self. Unless I find a crazy cheap core and have it built while I can still drive the truck. That was my fear as well. Once the head was done I just pictured the bottom end letting go.
 

Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
It sounds like you like the truck. So If you plan on keeping it and being in the no rust state where it will last until our sun goes red giant and consumes the earth jasper it is or cheap heep motor for now until you got the cash.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
You could always look for a used engine from a junkyard. I did that with my 1998 and it's still running 8 or 9 years later. The truck has another owner now but he and I are friends and he has been happy with the truck. He has a handyman business, so he runs the crap out of the thing with it loaded down with tools and what not all the time.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

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


Kirby N.
March 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