Is there a way to find out how many liters the truck has?

[KrAzy KoOl MaN]

I know this sounds ridiculous, but that is what I need to know.

I am buying this truck (my first car) and I found this 1987 ranger for $1200 and I got is down to $600. I have not even looked at it in person ( I saw pictures and it has new paint. black) and I already got it down that much.

Anyways I asked about the engine, and he said he was trying to figure out what it was? I was like WHAT. He is going to be suprised when a 16 is telling him what motor he has.
So I said to count the spark plugs. So he said he counted 6, so it is a V6 right? Here is the kicker... He has a rebuilt engine.
Well I would really want to know how many liters it has because I want to stay away from the 2.9L because I heard many bad stories about it. By the way what do you think about the 2.9L?

So please anyway to distinguish would be a great help and If you could answer my questions please?

How about the 3.0L. Is that one good? How about the gas mileage on the V6 motor? Is it around 25 or 20 or what?

What else should I look for to tell me if it is not a good buy when I go look at it in person?

I know it has no ABS brakes, but are they really necessary?

Thank You in advance..

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I'm almost 100% sure you have a 2.8L...

 

[np24]

if its an '87, its a 2.9L
there isn't anything wrong with the 2.9. most of the 2.9s have a lifter tick, it doesn't affect the engine, just makes noise. its mainly a top end oiling issue because of the cam bearings.
BUT, if the engine has been rebuilt, then i wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I stand corrected... I thought the 2.9 was a year later...

 

[scotts90ranger]

2.8 was '83 to '85, '86 to '89 v6's were all 2.9's, I believe '90 was the first year of the 4.0 and I think '91 being the first year of the 3.0 (pretty bullet proof engine as long as you don't abuse it maintenance wise), the 2.9 was offered through '92

 

[myold96]

what size is it

there should be an engine no. on the engine somewhere if the owner doesn't know what size then ask who he had rebuild it and ask them f the owner rebuilt it themselves look at the recepts no recets i would be leary because who knows what got done.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

I don't think it matters what it has or wha has been done for a buying price of $600.....

 

[Snoranger]

I was about to respond to this... Till I looked at the original posting date.

If the OP hasn't figured out what engine it has by now, he'll never know.

 

[adsm08]

I still don't know how people are unable to tell what engine they have when they have a 2.9.

I can see some doubt on the 4-cylinders since they both are identical externally. I can kinda see some doubt on the 3.0 and 4.0 since they don't look a like but aren't labeled (unless you have a plastic intake on your 4.0).

But I never understood any identification doubts on the part of the 2.9 by people who can read Arabic numerals. It says, in great big letters, right on top of the intake "2.9L".

 

[ricardo93]

From what I've read the 2.8 is the worst v6 ford made hands down, and my buddies uncle had the 2.8 cracked it swapped in the 2.9 and put 400k miles on it

 

[Mikel89us]

They were ok motors through all years, they all had issues.

 

[adsm08]

They were ok motors through all years, they all had issues.

Once you ditch to super problematic feedback carb the weakest point I know of on a 2.8 is the siamese exhaust ports.

Even the feedback carb was a really neat idea on paper, it just didn't work at well in real life application.

 

[Mikel89us]

I have one of those carbs. It is a great idea, but they didn't execute it well

 

[Dune Runner]

I had a 2.9 in my old 1990 Ranger. I sold it with 300k on it. Never had anything go wrong with it. The only negative is they are under powered.

 

[adsm08]

I have one of those carbs. It is a great idea, but they didn't execute it well

Yeah, I can point to a LOT of those.

The Chevy I-5s, any Chrysler automatic with electronics on it, the 6.0 PSD, the 6.4 PSD, the early 6.7 PSD, the Chrysler "Lean Burn II" system (the fix for which was a carb), the 3.8 and 4.2L Essex engines (3.8 head, 4.2 bottom end), the multi-port EGR systems on the Windstar (those will make you run in circles chasing the misfire until you remember it has the dumbest EGR setup in the world), the A4LD, Tera Reid's boob job.

Do I need to keep going?