Hey all...

[Christofficer]

Just bought my first ford. 97 ranger (98 2.5 motor) has a spindle shackle lift and 31 bf goodies. Bought the truck for 1500. Couldn't pass it up. Anyways have since I have bought it I have replaced power steering pump. Water pump. After all that I put it back together and valve started knocking so I pulled the head off and it's now at the machine shop awaiting rebuild. This site has been a good resource for me. Can anyone tell me anything I should be concerned with about this particular motor and truck? What mods should I do? I seem to struggle getting the truck to go in 1st without a lot of clutch.




Here are some pics:

I am a little concerned about the notch on the top of the piston where I am assuming it hit one of the valves or something. dimensions are about .5 inch long x .25 wide x about 1.5 mm deep.

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS~!

I'm sure you will get plenty of input as to what you can do...and turbo charge is probably the best suggestion...so you may want to rebuild the bottom end with some forged pistons before you put it back together...if you think you might do that eventually...

Otherwise, nice little truck!