2.8L and 2.9L engine life expectancy

[AKX]

What is the average life expectancy in miles that you get with these engines before they need a rebuild with normal maintenance?

Looking at purchasing a BII in the near future.

Most seem to have 150k-200k on them already.

Anything I should know before I make a purchase?

Thanks.

 

[enginepaul]

150K is common. I don't know the upper limit.

 

[small ranger]

valve seals tend to go on the 2.8l heads. I hear they are not too bad to change but not sure cause I have not done one yet.

 

[krugford]

I just sold my 92 Ranger 4x4 with just over 190,000 miles on it. It was still running strong. Upper limit is a matter of maintenance.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

valve seals tend to go on the 2.8l heads. I hear they are not too bad to change but not sure cause I have not done one yet.

Pain in the butt to change the valve seals on #3 cylinder on a truck with A/C and a 3" BL, I don't think you could do it without the BL and the engine still in the truck.

The other 5 cylinders are a cakewalk though.

 

[Jspafford]

I have 156K on a stock 2.9 that still see's 24mpg on the freeway.

 

[Sunk]

My first 2.9 cracked a head at 170 something thousand, but I wasn't nice to it. The current one has around 110k, but its death was due to my own idiocy.

 

[Tony Raine]

around 270,000 and change before rebuild on my 2.8.

 

[litleblue]

Around 320k on my 2.8, overheated it about a dozen times (thats what really took the engine out). Changed the valve seals at 150k and the cam at 250k

 

[Eric Kropp]

Mine has 330,000 on it and I finally had to put an entire gasket kit on the engine minus the head gaskets. I did not rebuild it while I had it out. It was leaking oil so bad I was embarassed to park it anywhere. I put the valve seals on it while I had it out. Now that all the leaks are fixed it uses and loses no oil and does not smoke at all. Still passes California smog tests. Runs 60 lbs oil pressure and never has over heated. I think I will get another 70 or 100,000 miles out of it.

Eric<><

 

[bbombe00722]

2.8l

i bought a 1984 ranger 2.8L standard 4 gears(i paid 600$ for the truck), there was 297 000 km and believe me or not... when i made my accident the millaege was at 675 000 km and the engine was still running like a new one!!!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I have well over 300K on my 2.9L

There used to be a guy here with a 87 BII with a 2.9L that had 660,000 miles.

2.9's either run litrally forever, or grenade under 200,000.

If you hit 200,000 that engine is not going to die. Period.

later,
Dustin