1988 Ranger engine problems

[JimboT]

Hi folks. Hope you can point me in the right direction. I have 1988 Ford Ranger with 76 k miles. I'm original owner. Had been sitting for extended period and was not running. Took it to my long time mechanic and they got it running though very rough idle, ran fine after warm up and at highway speed. Basically everything from new gas tank thru injectors has been replaced. Drove it to my body shop and over about 6 weeks it was restored. Now the problem. Occasionally will start and can keep running with some added gas pedal. Will die and then not start.
Have taken to a recommended mechanic and they have given up. No charge but won't run. I'm no mechanic and am asking this forum for recommendations as to shop that will work on my truck. Many won't due to age.
Thanks in advance
JimboT

 

[Brain75]

just to double check the typical... after the new fuel pump what kind of pressure are you getting at the rail... "new is new, not necessarily good"

 

[JimboT]

I’m not a mechanic so don’t know. Very reputable local mechanic shop spent 4 days trying to diagnose. Gave up with no charges. I’m outside Austin & trying to find shop to diagnose & fix. Beautiful paperweight at current time. Any help appreciated

 

[Brain75]

I got a buddy in Kyle who also has a ranger... let me find out who he would take it to... are you in the hill country or south or - which direction out of Austin?

 

[Brain75]

If you stick with us, we'll help you get it running without the cost of a mechanic though
have you tried to pull codes? (paperclip and patience, no tools required)

Testing EEC-IV Equipped Engines - The Ranger Station

The EEC-IV equipped engines use an older diagnostic system to monitor and report engine related malfunctions. This system is known as On Board Diagnostics (OBD-I). The Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s) are two or three digit numbers and can be … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[JimboT]

I got a buddy in Kyle who also has a ranger... let me find out who he would take it to... are you in the hill country or south or - which direction out of Austin?

I’m in Cedar Creek… off 21 west of Bastrop. Not far to Kyle.

 

[JimboT]

If you stick with us, we'll help you get it running without the cost of a mechanic though
have you tried to pull codes? (paperclip and patience, no tools required)

Testing EEC-IV Equipped Engines - The Ranger Station

The EEC-IV equipped engines use an older diagnostic system to monitor and report engine related malfunctions. This system is known as On Board Diagnostics (OBD-I). The Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s) are two or three digit numbers and can be … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

Got to get it home from mechanic to try the codes. Don’t recall having a check engine light. Appreciate y’all

 

[Brain75]

My buddy in Kyle with the ranger (that we drove to LA and back in) no longer has the ranger *sigh* ... he bought a trailer that required a bigger pickup so sold the ranger and got a big truck.... wouldn't have helped cause he wouldn't take it to a mechanic anyhow, fix it himself. So no help on the name of a mechanic.

I lived in Steiner Ranch when I first got to Austin and later in Jollyville so most of the places I know of are on the far west or north ends... I had issues with some places nit picking to death emissions stuff, so asked some locals for a good shop and they referred me to Auto Techs, but the only thing I ever took there was my GM car and only for sticker. That's a long ways from you. I would give them (Auto Techs) a big thumbs up from what I had to deal with them.

 

[JimboT]

Trying to not move “0le Blue “ truck until I have somewhere to take it so haven’t tried to get codes etc. Appreciate your efforts. Have friends calling friends & relatives looking for mechanic.