Can i get an opinion? BIG Decision

[TheNicky]

3 weeks ago bought a 83 ranger
-Idled high failed CA smog
-Rebuilt the carb (not a huge difference)
-Had my buddy come check it out (mechanic)
he told me it sounds like i might have a rod knock and he cant figure out whats up becuase i cant pull codes... Pulled once and said something about tpd and ect out of range replaced both... now i cant pull anymore codes for some reason... My buddy is gonna come back with a steathoscope and listen but cant really say for sure yet... he said if its a knock i should get rid of it...
i dont want to get rid of it all ready i feel like im giving up... and i really like my truck... its just he said in his position get a new one or theres the option of throwing money into it in which you will NEVER get back becuase its old..

So im thinking of maybe getting a new engine or selling it...

Please guys let me know what i should do

 

[mhughes165]

3 weeks ago bought a 83 ranger
-Idled high failed CA smog
-Rebuilt the carb (not a huge difference)
-Had my buddy come check it out (mechanic)
he told me it sounds like i might have a rod knock and he cant figure out whats up becuase i cant pull codes... Pulled once and said something about tpd and ect out of range replaced both... now i cant pull anymore codes for some reason... My buddy is gonna come back with a steathoscope and listen but cant really say for sure yet... he said if its a knock i should get rid of it...
i dont want to get rid of it all ready i feel like im giving up... and i really like my truck... its just he said in his position get a new one or theres the option of throwing money into it in which you will NEVER get back becuase its old..

So im thinking of maybe getting a new engine or selling it...

Please guys let me know what i should do

honestly.....if ur buddy the "mechanic" cant tell if it has a rod knock just listening to it then id suggest taking it to a REAL shop, it should be apparent, i would check the timing on it, and it would help to know what it failed for as far emissions, the actual readings

 

[wrecking-crew]

well, you can always keep the ranger and get another vehicle if worst comes to worst

 

[kunar]

honestly.....if ur buddy the "mechanic" cant tell if it has a rod knock just listening to it then id suggest taking it to a REAL shop, it should be apparent, i would check the timing on it, and it would help to know what it failed for as far emissions, the actual readings

not to mention the fact that pulling codes isnt gonna expose a mechanical issue... the computer doesnt know if you have a knock.

as for what to do... i guess it depends on your abilities. swapping in a 4.0 would be a good start

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Ok, you have posted on repairing this truck and I have helped you to the best of my ability on the web. If your "mechanic" cannot figure this truck out, or even tell if it's a rod knock by simply hearing it, he's not a good technician. I asked you for the readings on the emissions test several times and no reply. So my answer is, now that you have not listened to what people have to say, and your "mechanic" cannot figure it out: 1; get rid of the truck, 2; take it to a good, reputable shop and pay for it, Or lastly 3; Give the information we ask of you listen closely, post findings, and fix the problem as we diagnose it step by step. Sorry for being dry, but I have tried to help.

 

[Toms01PSD]

LOL, he's not much a mechanic if he can't tell whether a rod is knocking or not. Like was said, take it to a Ford dealership or a local shop.

 

[Shran]

Ok, you have posted on repairing this truck and I have helped you to the best of my ability on the web. If your "mechanic" cannot figure this truck out, or even tell if it's a rod knock by simply hearing it, he's not a good technician. I asked you for the readings on the emissions test several times and no reply. So my answer is, now that you have not listened to what people have to say, and your "mechanic" cannot figure it out: 1; get rid of the truck, 2; take it to a good, reputable shop and pay for it, Or lastly 3; Give the information we ask of you listen closely, post findings, and fix the problem as we diagnose it step by step. Sorry for being dry, but I have tried to help.

100%

We are not trying to be rude or anything, we really do have a genuine interest in seeing your truck running right.

I would personally take it to a shop and have them tell you exactly what it needs done. If it needs minor tuning or whatever, ask them if you can watch because you want to learn about this stuff. If it does need a motor then I would either start looking for a junkyard motor or sell it. Even with a junkyard motor I would probably still sell it after I put it in. No sense in keeping something that old if you don't know how to work on it and state laws prevent you from modifying it to be the way it SHOULD have been in the first place.

 

[RobbieD]

Yeah, being in California is really working against you. Being required to keep the truck compliant "as built" to be legally driveable, and not having any wrenching experience is definitely putting you in a bad spot.

That's unfortunate, as the older Rangers are one of the easiest and cheapest vehicles to repair and maintain. First-generations are becoming more desireable, and more valuable as time goes by. 1983, is coveted as the first year Ranger, and at 26 years old, is already considered old enough to be of "classic" vintage. They are just damn neat trucks . . . .

I feel for you, but you can only do what your ability and situation will let you do. Should you sell it, please do so to a good new home. If you keep it, invest your repair dollars wisely. Or better yet, resolve to learn the art of doing your own work. Whichever way you go, good luck.

 

[TheNicky]

Woah sorry I was in a hurry and left some key things out...
Mechainc works for a reputable shop and he came to my truck out of his way and didn't have the tools or or a bigger screwdriver to do that trick... he said he was buy a wheel well and noticed a know but didn't wanna say anything till he had his scope...
And what readings do you want?
And I did the timing exactly on 10 degrees...

 

[mhughes165]

Woah sorry I was in a hurry and left some key things out...
Mechainc works for a reputable shop and he came to my truck out of his way and didn't have the tools or or a bigger screwdriver to do that trick... he said he was buy a wheel well and noticed a know but didn't wanna say anything till he had his scope...
And what readings do you want?
And I did the timing exactly on 10 degrees...

u shouldnt need a screwdriver to diagnose a rodnock, a rodnock is a VERY distinct sound, and the reading we want are as to why u failed emissions, which gasses were high etc. and timing may or may not need to be set to 10degrees on a 2.0 carbed


and if all it failed emissions for is a high idle, i will guess at either someone monkeyed with ur idle set screw or u have a vaccum leak somewhere

also, what is the name of the shop he works at, is it in sacremento, or a surrounding area IE antelope, etc......

 

[TheNicky]

But like i said 2 times he said he didnt want to tell me for sure until he had his scope he said you might have a knock... He works at aamco... and i went to his house and he was thinking all he would have to do is tune so he didnt bring any tools... and mainly he was just looking at it... this turned into a thread baggin onmy buddy lol i just need an opinion on what to do...

And like is aid its my 1st project and have learned alot IMEAN ALOT and still have alot of learning to do i was out there for 2 weeks straight trying to get things right going through manuals,books and comments that have been posted on here for me and still no luck... ran out of options showed my other friend with a 83 ranger he didnt know what was up. took to another friend same thing so i called my mechanic to come look at it... and he saidi could bring it in becuase he has all the tools at his shop and will be able to diagnose but he couldnt flat see a problem then and there at my driveway...

And to people wanting the smog readout i will have it later but everything was well over gross polluter on everyone... my mechanic said wow these are crazy... but when it was smogged it wasnt by me by the guy who sold me the truck the timing was WAY off and was idling at 1200k and specd was around 800k

 

[TheNicky]

But my trucks at my friends house and paperwork is in there i will post the readings there... anything else any other info you guys want to help me out.... sorry for not doing what i was asked ill be better... sorry again... i just want my truck going you know... so any other info let me know?

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Ok, we are not trying to bash your "mechanic". The fact is a rod knock is very, very distinct. We know you do not know a lot, and have been patient trying to explain. The fact is you not knowing a lot hinders you from communicating the problem to us. I am a ASE certified master auto/ diesel with advanced diesel/ gas performance, and a certified ford tech I can sign any warranty paper on a ford including a rousch, or anything like it. Now I need to know exactly what it is doing the symptoms, clearly, also the emissions numbers, and anything else that may be relevant. trying to diagnose something without, hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, driving is very hard, but sometimes I can get it done. Now again not bashing your buddy, but if he hasn't fixed it, or cannot tell you if it's a rod knock, either you need to pay him, a shop, or help us help you.

 

[TheNicky]

I choose help us help you haha! what other info do you need as help to you to help me?
Besides the numbers becuase i dont have them at the moment... and any questions i can answer my best just shoot!
and i gotta start somewhere you know!

Symptoms-Irratic idle 1day ill start it and will have REAL HIGH IDLE, another day ill start it it will idle real low, Each day the idle jumps all over the place... from about 860 to 1100 rpms.. now i cant seem to ge the idle right...

I have
Checked vac diagrams
Checked Vac lines pressure holding
Redid and rechecked the timing to 10 degrees... Now mhughes^^^ mentioned is needing to not be at 10 degrees?
Replaced the Vac Switches on driver side
Replaced TPS
Replaced ICS
Tested them before putting them on!

Thats my problem i had my mechanic check out and see what he can do and when he was checking timing he was like "uh oh" i said what? he said "you might have a rod knock" i said huh? and he said "but wait tilli have my gear before i tell you for sure"
thats when i got on here...

ill post the emission stuff when i get back to my truck its in the glovebox...
any other info you guys might need?


Also i called around for engines what would you guys recommend?
Dismantlers 50-150 miles away ranging from 350-800$ or...
PickNPull i think is about 200 bucks not sure though

 

[Nhaz]

IAC problems are common in rangers. Yours sounds sticky.

God knows mines given me enough trouble

And you didn't list it as being checked.

Oh and move out of California. =>