2.8L Head cooling modification

[wagonerkl]

I read about drilling two holes in the 2.8L heads to improve cooling but then another source said to drill four holes. Has anyone actually done this mod who knows which is correct? The gasket has openings for four holes around the center cylinder but the tech section of the Ranger Station website specifies "between the two exhaust valves." The only place the exhaust valves are together is between the (#1 and #2) and the (#4 and #5) cylinders. Anyway, I am confused. any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I remember reading about the two holes A while back but since I have put the two piece thermostat housing in that puts the thermostat in the intake manifold I have not had a hint of overheating. I believe it came with the 85 B-II with A/C. You pull the thermostat from the lower housing and put it in the upper housing. Plug the 3/4 inch bypass on the intake manifold and get the 1 inch by 1 inch bypass hose and chopped down the upper radiator hose to fit.If you can find the housing get the manifold also then you wont have to plug the bypass fitting on it, I`m sure the larger bypass has alot to do with the engine cooling more evenly also.

 

[wagonerkl]

I haven't really had any over-heating problems. I was just thinking since I have the heads off and it is supposed to help eliminate a "hot spot", why not make the mod. Thanks for your input...maybe I will do both

 

[wagonerkl]

I'm not getting any help here guys...anyone have the Sven Pruett book that would be willing to look up the particulars of this head modification for me? Please!! Thanks.

 

[dangerranger83]

I wouldn't worry about it personally. My old 2.8 never over heated and head cracking problems on them aren't heard of much, not nearly as bad as the 2.9 heads that were later "improved".

There's a guy still passing emissions testing on his in California and it has over 300,000 miles on the engine without a rebuild.

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[wagonerkl]

This is getting frustrating. I have two responses telling me "not to worry about" doing what I want to do with my own rig, and then going off on random tangents.

This is a well know mod that is covered at least marginally on this website and supposedly in detail in Sven Pruitt's book. I cannot afford the book at up to $300 a copy so was looking for some help here. Pruit is considered somewhat of an expert on these engines, so if he recommended the modification why wouldn't I do it when I already have the heads off and rebuilt?

I just want to know the specifics of where to drill and to know if anyone else has done it or not and if they have, do they have any tips or comments. Isn't that what this site is for? Sheesh.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

You can drill the holes if you want is it gonna help IDK. You need to be patient and bump the thread a few times until someone tells you what you want to hear. My question now is if your not having a problem with overheating why are you trying to fix it? Are you going to be raceing the motor?

 

[fastpakr]

1) It's a forum, and people give their opinions. For better or worse, that's just the way it works.

2) Lay the head gaskets on the head and the holes that need to be drilled are readily apparent.

 

[Mark_88]

I did a search on Google and one of the first posts I found was one of yours dated 2011 on another forum asking the same question. I saw from your response recently that you abandoned that attempt out of frustration or other reasons and were seeking the same information.

I also had to search to find the book by Pruett that other people have been asking about. I found Amazon selling used copies for as much as $300 and as little as $150 so if the book is the only source of the direct instructions or at least information on how to do this mod then my suggestion would be to try to obtain a copy of the book.

I don't pay much attention to the 2.8 forum but recently had an opportunity to actually purchase a complete and running Ranger with the 2.8 engine...I didn't follow it up because I've been having enough challenge just finding parts for my 2.3 and would imagine that the 2.8 is probably harder to find.

 

[killj0y]

I did a search on Google and one of the first posts I found was one of yours dated 2011 on another forum asking the same question. I saw from your response recently that you abandoned that attempt out of frustration or other reasons and were seeking the same information.

I also had to search to find the book by Pruett that other people have been asking about. I found Amazon selling used copies for as much as $300 and as little as $150 so if the book is the only source of the direct instructions or at least information on how to do this mod then my suggestion would be to try to obtain a copy of the book.

I don't pay much attention to the 2.8 forum but recently had an opportunity to actually purchase a complete and running Ranger with the 2.8 engine...I didn't follow it up because I've been having enough challenge just finding parts for my 2.3 and would imagine that the 2.8 is probably harder to find.

Mark is right, if it is 150 bucks then the proper instructions would be better than opinions and conjecture. Frankly replacing the head if something goes wrong would be costly perhaps about the same amount or more than 150 bucks. Not to mention the labor. Just get the book drill the holes and be happy...150 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to engine modification, consider it an investment. Besides, there may be more mods and useful info in the book therefore basically paying for itself. Or be an asshole order it, photocopy it then claim the book was not as advertised, messed up, missing pages, etc, ship it back and get a refund. Not that hard but kinda shitty...

 

[Mark_88]

Mark is right, if it is 150 bucks then the proper instructions would be better than opinions and conjecture. Frankly replacing the head if something goes wrong would be costly perhaps about the same amount or more than 150 bucks. Not to mention the labor. Just get the book drill the holes and be happy...150 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to engine modification, consider it an investment. Besides, there may be more mods and useful info in the book therefore basically paying for itself. Or be an asshole order it, photocopy it then claim the book was not as advertised, messed up, missing pages, etc, ship it back and get a refund. Not that hard but kinda shitty...

I never would have thought of that option...

 

[kimcrwbr1]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_8L_Performance.shtml
Or you can look in the tech library and get the information your looking for for free.

 

[Mark_88]

Aha~ Someone with a 2.8 finally appears with the magic answer...thanks!

Now I might even consider that engine as an option...seems to have plenty of options for upgrading and rebuilding...hmmmmm...115 HP stock...not bad!

 

[dangerranger83]

I figured you already looked in the tech library or I would have suggested it.

It was a 115hp off the show room floor. But due to the age wear and tear on them, it has less.

Loved my old 2.8 (still in my parents garage minus some parts due to selling them off) it just lacked power to get my truck down the road, even before I did any mods to my truck. Only every got 10mpg out of her no matter how or where I drove it.

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mark_88]

That's what I was concerned about myself...most older engines need a rebuild...but I did find the TRS link has a list of mods and upgrades to perk the old girls up...a breast implant so to speak...but it would be too expensive for me right now regardless...