1997 Ranger 3.0 leaking out the starter

[JackLima]

I recently bought a '97 Ranger with know head gasket issues. When I got it home I noticed there wasn't any water in the radiator, so I filled it, but the water I put in just ran right back out. I looked under the truck and the water was coming out of a hole(which was definitely supposed to be there) on the bottom of the starter. Any ideas on where it could be leaking from? It comes out really fast for a freeze plug leak or crack in the block and the engine runs fine(or at least it did before I took the top end off).

 

[RonD]

Core plug(freeze plug) leak is what it has to be, they will leak just with gravity, head gasket or heater hose leak usually would need the water pump on to leak like you described.

 

[JackLima]

Core plug(freeze plug) leak is what it has to be, they will leak just with gravity, head gasket or heater hose leak usually would need the water pump on to leak like you described.

Alright, I'm probably going to yank the engine tomorrow. What's the best way to pull it, with or without the transmission? The heads weren't very warped, but they did have some very obvious machining marks on them, so I've sanded them down a bit and gotten most of the marks out.

 

[RonD]

Depends of if it is 2WD or 4WD, manual or automatic

But if the trans doesn't need servicing then just pulling the engine.

Heads are either warped or they are not warped, "not very warped" = warped

Take them to a machine shop and have them surfaced, also pressure checked.
And assuming blown head gasket and overheating at least once, there could also be a crack in the head, so have it pressure tested.

You will be wasting your time, and money(head gaskets and head bolts) if you put warped or cracked heads on.