2.9 q

[Shran]

Bitchin. Keep that sucker forever.

Supposedly Boss 302s from that time period are around 290 horse. So like almost 1/1 hp/ci.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Only problem I ever had with my 2.9 were oil burning and oil leaking, since the tranny went to shit I got rid of both problems at the same time with a 4.0/M5OD. A lot more torque and a bit better mileage. I beat my 2.9 like it owed me money, including hydrolocking it and it came back for more. 2.9s can do OK MPG until you start adding weight and bigger tires, then the 4.0 will usually do better on gas mileage.

 

[wrecking-crew]

my 2.9 is decent compaired to some of the bigger engines ive driven. if you do get it, first oil change put in some Lucas oil stabilizer and get the k&n oil filters (you have an extra quart of oil in the engine filter also fits the 302s and 351s). makes it smoother running.

 

[Mechanickid]

The biggest issue ive had with any 2.9 is like mentioned the head gasket/cracking. The oil leaks however vary. My 88 had oil issues around the valve cover, my dads 86 has over 300,000 miles on it (with 1 rebuild) is starting to puke oil out of the intake gasket,around the #6 cylinder where the head and intake meet. As long as you take care of the cooling system the 2.9 will take care of itself. I'm really fond of the 2.9,they make good power but its not the power I like its the torque @ 2600 RPM they make 170 ft. lbs. and it stays around until 4000 RPM. No V8 has a band that wide and stays that strong. Its all about torque

 

[PaleBlue90]

i had a 2.9 in my 89 ranger, it leaked oil a lil, 2 quarts every 6 months. i got it warm once and it wasnt happy. kept it cool and that little bastered ran forever. yes it ticked but i never saw it as a problem. i bounced mine off the rev limiter quite a bit and it always asked for more. it never let me down. i even ran a tank of 95 and fuel injector cleaner in it every 6 months. made it real happy. i ran it for 9 months without a exaust on it too. it was my DD, when she went to the bone yard it started knocking but for 343K on it it STILL drove itself to the bone yard. i have regreated getting rid of it just beacuse it did real nice with my 31's and it was good to me.

 

[chittybangbang]

The 2.9 is a lil powerhouse givin its displacement and era it was built in.

To put it in perspective:
Chevy
2.8l V6 125hp-150 #ft trq(total turd)
4.3l V6 150hp-230#ft(sbc minus 2 cylinders-more than enough power)
Dodge Dakota(even though its a mid sized pu)
3.9l V6 125hp (5.2 minus 2 cylinders-no trq figures but a total turd)
5.2l V8 170hp
Jeep Comanche
2.5l I4 117-130hp(no trq figures)
4.0l I6 177-190hp(this sucker moved)
Ford
2.9l V6 140hp-170#ft (ok for 2wd-it will cruise 75 all day)
4.0l V6 160hp-225#ft(more than enough power)
Heck back then,The Jeep was the power house.Chevy had the 4.3 which moved and Ford finally came out with the 4.0 in '90.The 2.9 has always been a reliable engine for me.I have overheated it once but luck has been on my side.The manual transmission that Ford put on the 2.9 sucks eggs.(the auto isn't any better)

 

[91rangerxlt]

well i had a 1990 ford ranger 4x4 with the 2.9. drove 18 miles a night to work and on 2 ocasions (sp) i drove it without coolant 18 miles. made it home barely and put coolant in it the next day and it drove ike a charm. i know it wasnt the smartest thing to do but they are tough little engines. aside from the head cracking i wouldnt mind having another one.

 

[DangeRuss71]

Man I feel really good about my purchase. I just bought a '89 with the 2.9 with 64xxx miles on it. Pretty much stock, VERY well taken care of, interior is pretty much as it was the day she rolled off the assembly line. Got her for 1500 bucks. I feel REAL good about my purchase after reading this thread.

 

[89DANGERANGER]

i got mine for 400$!!!!!!!!! 149k miles nooo rust. or dents ,4x4, runs and drives great