1989 Ranger 2.9L 2WD Oil Pressure Relief Spring

[BillupsOMally]

I have a 1989 Ranger 2.9L 2WD, I have the oil pump out and am trying to remove the oil pressure relief spring. I just want to know if it's threaded, right or left, or if it's pressed in before I go breaking anything. If you have any suggestions on how to get it out with nothing more special than a wrench and a bench vice, that'd be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[holyford86]

uhh, why?

 

[BillupsOMally]

WELL, I have two beaters that were basically given to me. One's almost safetiable, except it has no oil pressure but "good" compression. The other's completely finished. The oil pump from the first one is in half decent shape, but the pressure relief spring looks to be broken into 3 pieces and piled inside of itself, and the pump on the second looks like gravel was run through it, but the spring looks golden so I'm assuming half decent. The closest scrap yard is over 2 hours away, I have a budget of about $20, and all I really want the truck for is messing around in the bush a bit before it finally seizes up. I realise I probably won't get anymore than 10 psi pressure, and the truck'll only last a day or two, but on the other hand, it may last a while. A friend of mine with a Ranger that's got 347000km has 9 psi oil pressure at 4000rpm (warm) and has put 20 000 on it in the past year, AND moved down over 2 tonnes worth (including trailer) to go to school 6 hours away.

Long story short, just tell me how to get the plug out? Hahah

 

[BillupsOMally]

Answer: Pressed in, easily removed.

Result: Good spring + washers to shim = exploded oil filter.

Atleast now I know my oil pump works. Gonna try another brand of filter though, I haven't heard good things about FRAM lately.

 

[logicgear]

try using the motorcraft filter from ford. you can get them at schucks/kragen/checker/orileys or walmart. there like a dollar or two cheaper then the fram and a WAY better filter.

 

[BillupsOMally]

Thanks for the advice. I'd heard FRAM restricts flow, amongst other things. Probably this weekend I plan on testing that out, sort of. I have a mechanical gauge hooked up and I'm going to test out cold start pressure, and warm pressure after the same drive with each filter. There's 4 brands you can get in my area (Northern Ontario) without ordering in: FRAM, Motomaster, Motorcraft, and K&N, so I figure I'll try those.

 

[IMenriched]

It is A Lot of work to get to it again...but...may wan to get a thinner washer under that spring in that pressure relief on the oil pump....if blowing oil filters continues to be a issue. but you prolly have already realize that. watch the oil seals front and rear too

 

[BillupsOMally]

Sound advice be that. lol I knew I could've shimmed the spring too much, so the first time round I didn't even lower the motor back onto the motor mounts before starting it up to check the oil pressure. I had lots of room to work, I pulled both front axles out and the truck has a 2" body lift, so it took me less than half an hour from exploding the oil filter to starting it up with a reshimmed pressure relief spring.

OH, and I'm pretty sure the front and rear oil seals already leak, not badly though.