Does the 88 Ranger have the better heads?

[wingzam]

Two more questions about the 88:does it have the better heads and what improvements were made to the 88 from 87.Is there a check engine light?

 

[cckc135r]

Nope the 88's have the heads that are very prone to cracking and I believe the casting is 86TM. You can find this number by the center spark plug hole. 89's have the redesigned heads but will still be prone to cracks. World still has their 2.9 replacement head that is even better and I've not known anyone to have had cracks in them. Also, check the 2.9 link on the tech page and it will give you all the info you need and then some.

 

[wingzam]

Thanks for that!

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Nope the 88's have the heads that are very prone to cracking and I believe the casting is 86TM. You can find this number by the center spark plug hole. 89's have the redesigned heads but will still be prone to cracks. World still has their 2.9 replacement head that is even better and I've not known anyone to have had cracks in them. Also, check the 2.9 link on the tech page and it will give you all the info you need and then some.

i read a thread that they are clearin out world heads. 105bux a head. if i could afford em i'd buy em right now.

 

[wingzam]

i read a thread that they are clearin out world heads. 105bux a head. if i could afford em i'd buy em right now.

Saw them on EBay,think they have 90 left.Wish I had more money too cause i'm real impressed with this little engine and would like to do more with it.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Saw them on EBay,think they have 90 left.Wish I had more money too cause i'm real impressed with this little engine and would like to do more with it.

me 2 i love my 2.9 but im ready ford dodge eatin chevy shittin 302 power so they arent on my list of plans for my 88

 

[wingzam]

me 2 i love my 2.9 but im ready ford dodge eatin chevy shittin 302 power so they arent on my list of plans for my 88

Its been awhile ago,but I had a 302 I was going to put into an '85 Toyota Tercel - behind the front seats!Would love to do the same kind of thing with a Ranger,and put the engine wherever it got the perfect 50/50 weight bias.Paint it Ferrari Red,paint the wheels that Ferrari yellow and call it a Forrari!

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Its been awhile ago,but I had a 302 I was going to put into an '85 Toyota Tercel - behind the front seats!Would love to do the same kind of thing with a Ranger,and put the engine wherever it got the perfect 50/50 weight bias.Paint it Ferrari Red,paint the wheels that Ferrari yellow and call it a Forrari!

or a ford-rari haha

 

[wingzam]

or a ford-rari haha

Lets make it simple - a Ferd!...not to be confused with a turd

 

[AllanD]

Nope the 88's have the heads that are very prone to cracking and I believe the casting is 86TM. You can find this number by the center spark plug hole. 89's have the redesigned heads but will still be prone to cracks. World still has their 2.9 replacement head that is even better and I've not known anyone to have had cracks in them. Also, check the 2.9 link on the tech page and it will give you all the info you need and then some.

Actually the Casting number for the "Better" heads is 89TM, but NO '89's actually got them and neither did most 1990's

you've gotta understand just how far ahead stuff like head castings gets ordered and even if the vendor (even if another corporate facility) has them ready sooner they aren't going to use the "new" stuff until supplies of the older stuff are exhausted.

Basically if you want to be SURE of finding the "better heads" you need to look for late 1990's 1991's and 1992's


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[wingzam]

AllanD,good info.Thanks!