Interchangeable cylinder heads

[coulrophobian]

I have an '89 Ranger with a stock 2.9L V6 and recently cracked a head. My first question would be are the heads interchangeable, in other words, can the head that was on the passenger side be bolted back onto the block on the driver side? I was told that the only thing that I have to look for when finding a new head was the casting number which match (86TM). Is this REALLY the only thing I have to watch out for?

 

[90range]

i would actually buy new castings if you want to replace those heads, and yes they are inter changable but i wouldnt recomend doing that due to the way the push rods wear. form personal exp, i went to three different yards, plus auto dealers, all the heads from the yards were cracked, and the price on a head from a machine shop is about 400 bucks, new castings are about 150 each through world products but you still have to have the valves swaped from the old head to the new one.


these things are famous for cracked heads

 

[srteach]

check Cylinder Heads International out of Texas for good reman head prices. I purchased a set for heads for $300 complete, no upfront core.

 

[coulrophobian]

What casting do I look for should I be unsuccessful in finding an 86TM casting that is not cracked? Is valve swapping quite easy?

 

[MichiganLarry]

check Cylinder Heads International out of Texas for good reman head prices. I purchased a set for heads for $300 complete, no upfront core.

Bought a set of heads from them for my sons 89 also. Great guys to work with and nice heads.