4.0 oil pan questions

[Flash Gordan]

I was hoping that someone could answer a question for me. I pulled the oil pan off the engine I was just about to drop into my 89 ranger. I say just about because I'm not sure if I want to use this motor anymore. I found a lot of metal in the bottom and I can't figure out where it came from. I'm thinking there was a oil baffle in the bottom of the pan that looks like it broke loose and shredded itself. Any other ideas of what it might be?

 

[adsm08]

Well, there is an oil baffle in there. Or at least there is supposed to be. I would go through that engine very carefully before installing it.

 

[Flash Gordan]

I flipped it over on the engine stand and checked the crank and pistons. No damage to the cylinder walls, but I did notice a small chunk missing out of the #6 piston skirt which probably started bouncing around and destroyed the oil baffle. And which it is also probably enough to upset the balance in this engine.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I would not be in a hurry to install or run that engine if a piece of piston is gone.