1995 Ranger blown head gasket and questions

[jimbobhog]

Hello all,

I have a 1995 Ford Ranger 3.0, 5 speed manual, with 170k miles on it. Truck would not get to operating temp lately (would stay right above the C on the gauge.) and blew cold air out of the heater vents, so I thought the heater core was clogged and I needed to put antifreeze in the coolant system as we were about to get a bad freeze. I was doing general maintenance on it and replaced the following: plugs, wires, air filter, oil and filter(was dark due to age, but nothing out of the ordinary), top radiator hose(seemed very mushy and would collapse on itself), thermostat, radiator cap and flushed the heater core with Prestone flush. I burped the system, filled it with the correct 50/50 antifreeze and set out on my way. Well, the temperature would wildly fluctuate, so I burped the system a few more times and added more 50/50 mix. Everything ran like a champ for a day, temp perfect, and hot heat out of the heater. I thought I was all fixed up...well.....

Well last night, on my way home, the temp gauge flew to H and I immediately pulled over and let it cool off. I checked under the hood and the reserve cap had been blown off. After everything was cooled down, I replaced the reserve cap, and added a full gallon of water to the radiator, just to limp it home. I knew I was in trouble because even though the reserve cap had blown, I didn't loose any antifreeze. On the way home about 10 miles, i drove it easy and would pull over and let it cool down if it started to go above 3/4 on the temp gauge. I got home and checked the oil dip stick and the "oh crap" factor was obvious. There was "Chocolate Milk shake" oil the complete length of the dip stick.

My questions are:
1) Other than a head gasket, what other damage may have been caused (trying to see if just doing a hg job versus motor swap would be the best way to go).
2)A local junk yard has a set of heads on a vehicle for 85 bucks a piece, since mine overheated, if I decide to go with the head gasket replacement, should I get other heads as well.
3) Long Shot : I have a junker 2001 Mercury sable wagon with a 3.0 Duratec 24v DOHC engine that has good heads. (Cracked block) I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but would they fit my Ranger?

I'll spare ya the sob story, but any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

 

[RonD]

No on the 3.0l Duratec.

Have your heads tested and if OK, cleaned and surfaced at machine shop.

You would need to do that with used heads as well, so check yours first.

Water/oil mix has been run thru all the bearings, which is not good, but isn't the end of the world either.
Before pulling the heads I would drain the coolant and the oil/water mix.
Remove all the spark plugs
Pull valve covers
Refill engine with cheap oil and use cheap filter.
Put towels down on exhaust manifolds to catch oil from valve train.
Crank engine repeatedly to circulate new oil thru all the bearings.
You should see it start pumping clear oil at valve train.
Then drain that oil out.

After pulling lower intake clean as much of the water/oil mix as you can off engine and then if needed pour clean oil down across the cam and engine to clean it, that oil should be drain out of pan.

Do the head job now

Use new oil and filter at startup and then change it and filter after 100miles or so.


Oil is used not just to lubricate but to cool the bearings.
The big issue with water/coolant in the oil is that it can vaporize when it comes into contact with a hot bearing surface, this dries out that area of the bearing which causes wear, because you were letting engine cool down you are probably OK.
But you do need to flush as much of the water out as you can.

 

[jimbobhog]

Thanks Mr. Ron,

I'm starting the job tonight after work and plan to take photos and document the job. Really appreciate the prompt response and your freely shared knowledge .

Very Respectfully,
Jim