Cracked head or bad gasket?

[shadowofthewoods]

I have an 89 ranger with a 2.9l. There is what appears to be oil in the radiator. Oil (cap and stick) seems fine. No obvious exhaust smoke. It goes through coolant rapidly. No obvious leaks. When drove for a long distance it gets hot. When I come up to a stop I lose oil pressure and she starts knocking. Acceleration picks the oil pressure back up, but still knocks. Is this all because of a cracked head or bad gasket? Do I have other possible problems? Is there a way to determine if its the head or a gasket without a bunch of disassembly?

 

[shadowofthewoods]

No opinions? Well what about a swap - 302, 351, diesel? Need a daily driver with 4x4 that can haul and pull a load. Something that will see very mild off roading and snow. No strips, but the occasional "put ya in my rearview". I realize that the 302 would probably be the fastest, cheapest, and most economical for the time being, but will it do everything I want and need? The 2.9 is gettin ready to blow, so I need some honest opinions.

 

[RonD]

Sorry missed this.

There is an easy test to find out if you have a leak from a cylinder to the cooling system.

The Glove test
Engine cold
Disconnect coil, a no start is wanted
remove rad cap
Remove overflow hose and block that opening in rad
Place latex glove, or balloon, over rad cap opening seal it with rubber band or zip tie.

Turn over engine, watch glove
If it bounces or inflates you have a cylinder leak into cooling system.

If you want to find out which cylinder is leaking then remove 1 spark plug at a time, crank engine after removing, when glove stops bouncing then last spark plug removed was the cylinder with the leak.
Re-install it to confirm.

This won't tell you if its a head gasket or cracked head though, only removal and inspection can do that.

This member used another latex product to do the test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFGquUimXro&feature=youtu.be

Good video of leaking cylinder test


As far as a swap, the 4.0l would be the best option, the 2.9l and 4.0l used similar block so not many changes are needed, and you get the extra power without the extra cost.
But a V8 explorer swap can be good as well.
Good info here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-engine-fuel.shtml

 

[john93rangerstx]

well the knock problem washed the bearing out from coolent
and take the head off to and look