3.0 Smoking and low power.

[gooseracer3]

Ok so i just baught a 91 ranger, 2wd. I have had it a weekjust did front bearings, rotors,pads calipers. and i thought that was the low power problem as when i took the wheels off the were basically stuck. But took it around the block after that and a oil change, seemed to have less power... Just put in 4.75 quart castrol and new filer. When i drained it, it had almost 6 quarts in it (from previous owner), which i thought was causing it to smoke, not the case.. it also got new plugs, im assuming now that the rings are shot?? as it still smokes alot, and seems to hjave less power than before... HELP???

i had thought about a 4.6 swap but dont know if it would work that or a 302 swap.. any ideas???

 

[Big Jim M]

hmmm

Ok so i just baught a 91 ranger, 2wd. I have had it a weekjust did front bearings, rotors,pads calipers. and i thought that was the low power problem as when i took the wheels off the were basically stuck. But took it around the block after that and a oil change, seemed to have less power... Just put in 4.75 quart castrol and new filer. When i drained it, it had almost 6 quarts in it (from previous owner), which i thought was causing it to smoke, not the case.. it also got new plugs, im assuming now that the rings are shot?? as it still smokes alot, and seems to hjave less power than before... HELP???

i had thought about a 4.6 swap but dont know if it would work that or a 302 swap.. any ideas???

Well there's smoke and then there's smoke! Is the smoke grey? Or is it black and sooty?
First thing to do is to pull all the plugs prop the TB open and do a compression test! Ya just gotta know what the compression is in that engine.
Most oil smoke is caused by valve seals.. not rings.
To help us out here we would need to know the tire size and gear ratio... both have a lot to do with power.
Big JIm

 

[gooseracer3]

well Tire size is stock and i think the gears are stock.. smoke is blue and smells like un burnt fuel.. Would it make more sense to rebuild the 3.0 or try and swwap?? note i have the tools to do the swap/ just no hoist or engine stand so i guess even a rebuild would be a challenge.. I feel like i may have a dead cylinder, but i have no knocks or pings or any odd noises other than a injector click? and the exhaust knocking on something.. the engine rocks so bad at idle that it reminds me of a camed v8..?? i know it needs valve cover gaskets nut i was hoping that the over filled oil was the cause of the smoke. Could the exessive oil have really hurt my engine??? could the timming be way off causeing detonation? im at a loss and i went to school for this stuff...

 

[Big Jim M]

Blue smoke indicates oil burning. Most times that indicates bad valve seals. Before you do anything else you really need to do a compression check.
The idle shake could be an OILED plug that isn't firing. Pull the plugs and look at them. That would be part of a compression check. If you have a oiled plug and low compression on the same cylinder... THEN think about a rebuild.
Big JIm

 

[gooseracer3]

which would you do rebluild? or replace???

 

[Big Jim M]

Always

which would you do rebluild? or replace???

It's best to find out what you've got then think about what to do. But as an aside, I always like to rebuild myself rather than TRUST others to do the same job I'd do.
Big JIm

 

[gooseracer3]

i guess my fors question about rebuilding it is cane it be done with the block in the truck??
I can do the hone work myself and redo valves, but i dont have the following.
hoist, stand, Valve spring compressor, timing light,comp tester, ridge reamer, if i pull it aprat mi would wanna add a bit of power to it.. like cam, but i dont have the stuff to do it..

 

[Rearanger]

It's a 91, how much money you want to spend on it? I'd say buy a good quality rebuilt engine and forget about adding "power". If you could afford more I'd have to ask why did you buy a 91?

 

[gooseracer3]

well, i had a 600 dollar budget, and it was 600 on the nose.. it was kinda spur of the moment, saw it and bought it, i needed a truck and it was cheap.. i am tempted to try and sell it for like 900. just what i have in it and find something else. but used isnt all that plentiful and i need a vehicle..