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What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)


bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
It was two days ago, but I changed the oil. Fell for the marketing hype as well as Lake Speed Jr’s video and am trying the Valvoline Restore and Protect. Also use the Purolator Boss filters.

If it works up to its name I will start using it in my dad’s Volvo. The engine in there is notorious for burning oil due to deposits on the oil control ring, the exact thing this oil is supposed to remove. It may help the oil consumption more than anything else.


i use the Purolator when i can. rotella and valvoline. the short filter for my diesel filter was discontinued.....unless its a high spec....walmart oil from there


what lake puts down is good stuff.
 


Bgunner

Well Known As an Idiot
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,986
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Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
It was two days ago, but I changed the oil. Fell for the marketing hype as well as Lake Speed Jr’s video and am trying the Valvoline Restore and Protect. Also use the Purolator Boss filters.
I have no doubt that the Valvoline Clean and Protect oil does it's job and does it slower than their old version of it for diesel engines BUT be cautious if you have any sludge build up in the engine. If there is any sludge in the engine you will need to to do short filter changes during the first run of it due to filters still getting plugged up by it. You really should do a 200-300 mile filter change to start and cut open the filter to see how much the filter gets plugged and go from there. This will prevent any oil starvation issues due to a plugged filter and let you know how often you will need to change the filter till the sludge is cleaned out.

I've seen Lake Speed's vid and others use this oil and cut open the filters. This stuff works but one needs to be aware that it can still cause a plugged filter with use on an engine that was not properly maintained.

Since seeing Lake's vid I've often considered using this in my engine as there is a lot of varnish in it but no sludge. Having the valve covers and oil pan off I know there is no sludge so I can do the normal filter change intervals and be fine in my case. If the engine condition is unknown it is best to cut a filter open after a few hundred miles and see what it looks like to determine filter change intervals to start with and repeated opening filters till it clears up.
 

CamTheHedgehog

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Jul 24, 2023
Messages
453
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775
Location
From Charlotte, NC; Living in Lansing, IA
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ranger Edge
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Torsion Bar Max Crank (Pre-2008)
Tire Size
265/75/16
My credo
Professional Dingus At Work
I have no doubt that the Valvoline Clean and Protect oil does it's job and does it slower than their old version of it for diesel engines BUT be cautious if you have any sludge build up in the engine. If there is any sludge in the engine you will need to to do short filter changes during the first run of it due to filters still getting plugged up by it. You really should do a 200-300 mile filter change to start and cut open the filter to see how much the filter gets plugged and go from there. This will prevent any oil starvation issues due to a plugged filter and let you know how often you will need to change the filter till the sludge is cleaned out.

I've seen Lake Speed's vid and others use this oil and cut open the filters. This stuff works but one needs to be aware that it can still cause a plugged filter with use on an engine that was not properly maintained.

Since seeing Lake's vid I've often considered using this in my engine as there is a lot of varnish in it but no sludge. Having the valve covers and oil pan off I know there is no sludge so I can do the normal filter change intervals and be fine in my case. If the engine condition is unknown it is best to cut a filter open after a few hundred miles and see what it looks like to determine filter change intervals to start with and repeated opening filters till it clears up.
I know my engine has little if not zero sludge, just varnish. I had the engine out and torn down for my timing chain job about 6k ago, and it was nice and clean then except for varnish (some of which I cleaned off if it was accessible)
 

Curious Hound

Formerly EricBphoto
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Messages
16,546
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19,038
Age
60
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.
Beautiful pictures. I can't believe your engine bay looks like that.

Sorry about your health issues. Just prayed for you.
 

Neli

New Member
EMT / Paramedic
Joined
Sep 18, 2024
Messages
2
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10
Location
Idaho
Vehicle Year
84
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2800
Transmission
Manual
New plugs in, uni wires in the mail - finished the other valve cover. Not perfect but I like it :) Ran a new ground cable for the swap… ordered more parts… went through way too much brake cleaner 🙄
Slid that motor in right quick last night though! Expected more resistance but she only complained for ~10 minutes about her new home.
 

Attachments

Maritime Drag Racing

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
164
Reaction score
1,025
Location
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
355 Chevrolet
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
2" drop rear shackles
Tire Size
27 X 5 X 15 Hoosier front - 9X30 Goodyear rear(slicks)
My credo
Race it - Break it - Fix it - Repeat
Ranger and it's Ford 3910 cousin are all hunkered down in the garage for the winter. Ranger needs some minor rear suspension tweaks but I don't need to lift the hood until the day before the first race in 2025 since it was working so good . Tractor needs some maintenance too....

20240921_115853.jpg

20240921_115835.jpg
 

pentode

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703
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870
Location
Moncton NB
Vehicle Year
2005
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Ranger and it's Ford 3910 cousin are all hunkered down in the garage for the winter. Ranger needs some minor rear suspension tweaks but I don't need to lift the hood until the day before the first race in 2025 since it was working so good . Tractor needs some maintenance too....

View attachment 117856
View attachment 117857
Please tell me you parked it because the racing season is over and not because you know snow is coming. 😉
 

Maritime Drag Racing

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
164
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1,025
Location
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
355 Chevrolet
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
2" drop rear shackles
Tire Size
27 X 5 X 15 Hoosier front - 9X30 Goodyear rear(slicks)
My credo
Race it - Break it - Fix it - Repeat
Please tell me you parked it because the racing season is over and not because you know snow is coming. 😉
Racing is over for the year at our home track. Still a couple of tracks racing here in Atlantic Canada running for about another month but both of them are 7 hours minimum tow plus they're both 1/4 mile. I'm really geared for 1/8 mile but could run 1/4 if I buzzed it hard in high gear. Little too risky for me....
 

scotts90ranger

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Feb 28, 2001
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Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
Took the wife and I to a local yard sale in the '97 this morning then went to move the '90 and the battery was too low so jumped it with the parts Camry since I needed to move it anyway :). Unless I get a wild hare and install the new shock on the '90 or tear into the rear bumper bracket stuff it needs or start massaging the inner fenders that's the last of the Ranger stuff for today...
 

Bill

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Aug 6, 2007
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Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicle Year
2007
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I rolled underneath it for a quick assessment regarding replacing ball joints, control arm bushings and other front end stuff. I have over 200,000 miles on it and the ball joint and tie-rod end dust boots are gone, so I'm thinking of replacing everything while I have it all apart. I can't find replacement springs for it. It appears they have discontinued the springs for the 2.3. I might order the springs for the 3.0L, but I don't know how much difference it will make. Probably a slightly stiffer front suspension.
 

JohnnyO

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Joined
Jan 6, 2002
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6,501
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Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
Changed the oil and installed a K&N air filter.
Valvoline Advanced 5w-30 and a Mobil 1 filter.
I bought Motorcraft filters for years but since Walmart doubled the price I figure I might as well get Mobil 1 filters.
Walmart.com had by far the best price on the K&N air filter, $51.99 and free shipping. I'll never have to buy another one. Had one for 200,000 miles in my old Sport Trac, just clean it once a year and it's good to go.
 

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,760
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Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
I did get a wild hare tonight and ended up changing the front shock on the '90 and investigated the rear bumper brackets and only one had a broken weld so I fixed that too...
 

SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
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Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
3,110
Reaction score
1,114
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
Filled the hole on my steering column cover and painted it. Rustoleum colonial red satin is a little brighter then the top of the can, but it's close enough I'm not gonna mess with it.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
24,421
Reaction score
5,779
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
Ranger and it's Ford 3910 cousin are all hunkered down in the garage for the winter. Ranger needs some minor rear suspension tweaks but I don't need to lift the hood until the day before the first race in 2025 since it was working so good . Tractor needs some maintenance too....

View attachment 117856
View attachment 117857



can we get a double triple hellz yeahz!!! that is awesome to hear.
 

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