1996 ford ranger project

[Josh B]

Awesome Idaho! Good luck with it man

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

I think I found my huckleberry. This thing runs great… gonna tear it apart to re-seal it once I get it out. Only then will I be able to say definitely that it’s in good shape. I fired it up and run it all the way up to temperature and it seems to be good.
Super low miles and worth every penny of what I paid.
These engines are getting nearly impossible to find. Almost makes me want to start messing around with the eco boost engines here soon.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Those 5.0L's are tough things, my '00 Explorer that I just pulled the engine to rebuild had been BEAT TO HECK before I got it, we replaced EVERY hard part in the transmission (the one part we didn't replace lasted 20k miles before it exploded... they drove it hard enough to STRIP OUT the rear spider gears), pulled the engine at 260k and still cross hatching on all of the cylinders and valve seats looked new, I ground the exhaust valves and replaced one push rod and rocker, the rest was fine... of course it needed all the bearings and a hone and rering but that is to be expected at those miles... I wouldn't be afraid of pulling the engine, changing the oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets (might as well do valve stem seals too) and front and rear main...

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Starting the tear down!
I’ve never seen an aftermarket intake plenum before…. This one has what I would assume to be a dorman intake…. Nothing special at all, but different for sure

 

[scotts90ranger]

Some reason I thought this was your other thread before . Don't know that I've seen an aftermarket plenum either, that's a lot different looking than the OHV's I've worked on in the past, haven't had one in a decade so I imagine parts aren't any easier to find...

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Got the engine out of the explorer and got it back on the trailer. Got the lower intake gasket done and painted the valve covers too!
Just waiting on the oil pan gasket and timing cover gasket then I can get it sealed the rest of the way!

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Small progress while I’m waiting on parts for another project!
Got the timing cover cleaned and painted with a new front main seal, installed, got the oil pan installed and the motor plates swapped over to the TTB setting.
Still deciding if I like the color (it’s gonna stay that way)

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Got it in ! Will be running by the end of the day today or tomorrow

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Got it running and driving today and got the hood back on and she is out of the shop finally !!! Woohoo!! Sprayed her off and now I have to get a bumper and grille.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Finishing up the project … final odds and ends things to do. Found a bumper for it and sanded it down and painted it. Switched the wheels and tires for winter wheels and tires and it’s ready to go after I get the alignment done!

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Got the alignment done yesterday and let me tell you…. This thing drives better than my 98 does.