Cylinder head-ache

[Christofficer]

So My truck started clicking out of nowhere. Listened to it and it sounded like the noise was coming from the timing belt cover...So i figured, she's at 140k probably time for a timing belt/water pump change. Got the new timing belt on and water pump and fired her up and then all you hear is CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK....way louder than before. Had the mechanic from the family shop come over to check it out and says its a bad valve. Pull the head, take it to machine shop. CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD.....NOT REPAIRABLE. ****. What are my options. I called all the salvage yards and nobody has this head or this motor, its as if they do not exist. And if one pops up somebody grabs it. :scool:.... Do they make a performance head? Does this happen all the time with this motor. Also as you can see in pics below there is a small gouge about 1/2in Lx 1/4in Wx 2mm deep in the top of #4 piston. Is this something I should worry about? Uncle is a master auto tech and he says no big deal. Do these engines EFF up all the time or what? Thought this thing was a steal for 1500 and now I have nothing but headaches. .... Enlighten me ranger lovers. This is a 97 ranger....98 2.5 4cyl motor, 5 speed MT, 31" tires, spindle/shackle lift. Any other mod suggestions Ideas welcome. I like the truck and wanna keep it just wanna make it better. I also need to find the torque specs for putting it back together once I get the head situation handled.

 

[strvger]

did you try looking in the "classifieds" here on TRS? otherwise, i'd try craig's list and Summit Racing. the LMC Truck lists only for the 2.3, 2.9, and 4.0 motors unfortunately. wish i could help more. good luck with this.
and Welcome to TRS.

 

[heptofite]

there's a couple trucks in the yard right down the road from my house, if you want i can go down there tomorrow and have a look, i know there are a couple of fours, and if you pay the shipping (and purchase price) i'll go rip the head off one of the 2.5s

 

[Funnyman141]

couldn't he use the head off of a 2.3l?

 

[heptofite]

couldn't he use the head off of a 2.3l?

it'll bolt down but it won't run right, the 2.5 has a different combustion chamber.

 

[heptofite]

also, that looks like you've had some det problems, might want to replace the piston, at the very least replace the injector, because it looks like you ran uber lean and got a shitload of det, which is what punched a hole in your head.

 

[TheTopher]

it'll bolt down but it won't run right, the 2.5 has a different combustion chamber.

It's been a while since I researched doing a 2.5 swap, but from what I remember the 2.5 uses the exact same head, it just has a stroked block.

Heads:

All 2.0/2.3/2.5 heads will physically bolt in place of each other. They all have similar exhaust port shape and placement. All cams are interchangeable as long as they are used with the proper followers. Later model (1995 and newer) roller cam followers cannot be easily swapped onto an older head as the valve stem size was reduced in the newer heads and matching slot in the follower was reduced. Early 2.0 and 2.3 heads have the same small round intake ports spaced evenly apart. They differ from each other in their valve sizes though.
Head Variations:

There are several variations on the 2.3 heads though they break down into (4) distinct types:

1) Passenger car oval port heads - 1974 - 1980 Mustang, Pinto, Fairmont, Bobcat, etc.

2) Passenger car D-port head - 1981 - 1995? T-bird, Mustang, Etc.

3) Truck round port - 1983 - 1985 Ranger

4) Truck D-port - 1989 - 2001 Ranger. The 1989 - 1994's and 1995 - 2001's have different combustion chambers and ports. It is thought that the newer head is better designed.

So long as he gets a head from a 95-97 2.3 he should be fine.



Either way, here's a reman on ebay for $350

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[adsm08]

Well if you decide to fix it and get a new head, PM me. I'll send you the torque sequence.

 

[greasemonkey6886]

Esslinger Engineering makes all kinds of performance parts for the 4 cyl Ford engines. They have just about anything you would ever need or want to mod the 4 cyl all the way up to complete alcohol crate engines. They specialize in parts for racing these little engines in circle track and drag applications. They are a little pricey but the parts are awesome. I crewed a dirt track Pinto for about 3 years and the engine we had was flat awesome!! That thing had a TON of power and torque and seen rpm's around 7000 every time it hit the track. I am not talking short burts either. Anyhow.. check them out if you decide to tweak it a little. Another company to check out would be Racer Walsh.

 

[TheTopher]

I'd strongly advise you read the tech library articles for this engine.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4cylinders.html


Most of what's been stated in this thread is already listed there, along with a lot of other questions you may have not thought to ask.




In most cases the Lima motors are bulletproof. They're a favorite of the turbo guys and also the lazy guys like me who just want a motor they can leave alone and expect to work even after the world stops turning.


In think in your case what happened was a small problem was ignored and it turned into a big problem. Once you sort out the kinks you should be good to go.

 

[heptofite]

It's been a while since I researched doing a 2.5 swap, but from what I remember the 2.5 uses the exact same head, it just has a stroked block.



So long as he gets a head from a 95-97 2.3 he should be fine.



Either way, here's a reman on ebay for $350

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

the tech library is wrong, i am right.

the 2.5 has a modified head.

the 2.3 will bolt down, but the VE curves will be wrong and it'll run funny.

 

[TheTopher]

According to what I've read the 2.5 does have a modified head, but the head was actually modified back in '95 when the engine was still a 2.3 so the 2.3 and 2.5 from 95-01 all have the same head. That listing of the head on ebay reflects the exact same thing, as does the tech library. So does everywhere else I read.


If you can make a better explanation than simply saying "They are wrong, I am right" I'd be happy to listen