89 Ranger for winter, 2.9L, starting to panic here($$$)...need advice

[mibson]

Should I pay to get this fixed or try to do it myself? Im pretty broke...Ive never done any work on a car other than oil changes, spark plugs. I am somewhat mechanically inclined(fixed washing machine, dish washer etc) with NO experience on cars. Have, sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches.

I bought an 1989 2.9L Ranger for winter for $500 bucks. I bought it based on milage 147 000km (91,000 miles) and no rust. I feel it was probably well cared for. The interior is in great shape and the pedals show minor signs of wear. The tires on it are 10-15 years old!

The seller said his grandma drove it 2-3 times a month (Im smart enough to think this was suspicious). He bought it to replace the water pump then sell it, he did a good job (the mechanics said) but put in a used water pump that failed quickly.

I took it in for a mechanical inspection for insurance purposes. It cost $700 for brakes and exhaust to pass the inspection.(brakes feel good and sounds great now)

The mechanics told me it needs a water pump(it leaks fast), moneys tight so I had them just do the work to pass inspection.

I bought a New water pump for it today($60.00) Prestone. Read online as much as I could with no specific links found regarding 2.9L water pump replacements.

Thoughts/concerns:

1)specific tool for "fan clutch"
2)might as well do thermostat too?

Vehicles:
1989 Ranger custom, 2.9L, 2 wheel drive, no AC, manual
2006 Mustang GT, manual, CIA, exhaust, 3.73

 

[Rangerman4158]

Water pumps are easy yes a fan clutch tool is needed but you can get one at a parts store that'll loan tools and definatly replace the thermostat

 

[sfwjesse]

Be careful when taking off the bolts holding the water pump to the block. I broke one off in the block.....that makes things difficult. My 88 2.9L required a special flat open end wrench specifically made for fords to get the fan nut off. This wrench is sold for like 10-20 bucks at any auto parts store.

 

[mibson]

Thanks, Im gonna go for it...

Ok Im thinking I might try this. Since the water pump on there now was replaced recently Im hoping the bolts will be easy and that the last guy to work on it didnt break any and just leave them in.

One person online said he used a large crescent wrench to get the fan off, is this possible?

Ive never had to remove belts or re tension them. Is there anyone who knows where a good link is to instructions on how to replace a water pump on this 89 2.9L?

 

[sfwjesse]

Ok Im thinking I might try this. Since the water pump on there now was replaced recently Im hoping the bolts will be easy and that the last guy to work on it didnt break any and just leave them in.

One person online said he used a large crescent wrench to get the fan off, is this possible?

Ive never had to remove belts or re tension them. Is there anyone who knows where a good link is to instructions on how to replace a water pump on this 89 2.9L?

I had to get the wrench.....a crescent is too thick i believe. This is a real easy job other then that damn fan. The belts are loosened by loosening the power steering pump and alternator, and tightened by pulling back on those guys fairly hard and re tightening the bolts. If you plan on doing some motoring on this, i would pick up a haynes manual, but here is the link to the autozone version DIY.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/re...9&partName=Water+Pump&partId=0900c15280077d99

 

[mibson]

Great!

Perfect, that is what I need. I will get the repair manual for this truck since Im excited about learning how to work on cars and this is an older truck.

Anyway, Ill do it with these instructions.

Cheers!

 

[mibson]

What else should I replace while im in there?

Ive been reading about replacing the thermostat and water pump. Im starting to wonder what else should be replaced while im in there?

How often does a fan clutch need to be replaced? They are not too expensive and since Im in there Im just wondering if I should replace that too?

 

[countryboy]

with the year of the truck and since you are alreadt tearing everything down and if you have the extra funds i would say go for it. fans can be good one day and bad the next.

 

[IMenriched]

Just note that the threads on the fan clutch are LEFT handed pitch...not standard right handed

 

[mibson]

questions...fan clutch

1) I read to remove fan clutch turn counter clockwise...is this right?

2)I dont understand where I use the fan clutch tool?

There is one large hex nut(about 1 1/4 inces) and Im sure I can fit my crescent wrench in there...since it has been done recently shouldnt be to tight.

Is this the nut that removes the fan and fan clutch?

There are 4 bolts on the fan, perhaps they dont need to be removed? From what I can tell they dont...



Thanks for any help!

 

[mibson]

Update and How to clean contact surfaces

I got the water pump off, cleaned away the old gasget. Now Im going to replace the thermostat....I got the Hayes manual too.

One question, The manual says to clean with varsol or laquer thinner...

I have some paint thinner that the parts guy said would be fine but I cant find it.

Is there some other ways to clean the contact surfaces?
Perhaps sodium triphosphate?
Perhaps numerous clean rags?

Thanks for any tips.

 

[mibson]

One of the 12 water pump bolts is stripped inside the holes, the bolt is fine.

What is the solution?

 

[IMenriched]

One of the 12 water pump bolts is stripped inside the holes, the bolt is fine.

What is the solution?

presume that the threads pulled out of the aluminum timing cover to which the water pump mounts to.

drill and tap it oversized....or....there is a product called heili-coil, which would return the thread to original size...provided that the hole isn't egged out of shape too much already.

if the hole just has the thread stripped out, not too egged shaped...then the heili -coil is probably the way to go....you drill down the same hole with a slightly larger drill bit...then re-tap the hole with a specially sized tap...then with a special installation tool, screw in the coil of reconditioning thread, so everything is below the surface of material...snap off the tabs of the coil and your back in business to the original size...it is very strong...but as with anything in alunimum...it could get happen again. It would be better if you could remove the cover of the timing chain and do this work on a drill press or at least on a bench area.

Not sure of the cost of the timing chain cover vs the cost of the doing the heili-coil or oversizing the thread altogether. might be easier to to just get another whole cover from the JY?? the risk is having the same thing happen again, unless you already have extra engine lying around, that could be a donor.

overisizing the the hole can happen too...but then you'll need to oversize the bolt hole in the water pump to accept the now larger bolt.

 

[creepinjeepster]

I got the water pump off, cleaned away the old gasget. Now Im going to replace the thermostat....I got the Hayes manual too.

One question, The manual says to clean with varsol or laquer thinner...

I have some paint thinner that the parts guy said would be fine but I cant find it.

Is there some other ways to clean the contact surfaces?
Perhaps sodium triphosphate?
Perhaps numerous clean rags?

Thanks for any tips.

I've always taken a drill with a wire wheel on it to the surfaces to clean them, then wipe down with a clean rag.

 

[mibson]

Heli Coil and Permatex Stripped Thread Repair Kit

Ok, regarding the one stripped hole for the water pump.

The maintenance guy at work gave me a heli coil kit, then a few hours later he came to me with "Permatex Stripped Thread Repair Kit".

This Permatex stuff says its good up to 128 ft lb torque (sounds pretty good), and 300 degrees F.

Im skeptical about this Permatex stuff, but the guy at work said it should work...

Ive decided to try one of the two. The hole is not to bad, just the threads are stripped, the entire hole is not dammaged.

Any thoughts on the best way to go here?