Motivate me!

[ISX_15]

1985 Ford Ranger 2.8L Baja project.

This is how I had originally received it about 3 years ago, I had not started putting money into it until now.


Sitting alright like this now.

Right now I am in the process of tackling all the major problems with it, seems like its a new problem everyday. Im down to the nitty gritty and that's fixing the starter drive gear.
Leaks oil like hell all on my driveway too

Lemme know what you fellas of the community think, i'm pretty damn young and new to this community, so far its been nothing but great considering how much help is available here.
One question, would you recommend i take my starter to a machine shop to have the gear replaced? or just switch it out with the 4.0L starter (if im right), what would be my best bet?

 

[97RangerXLT]

Not sure that a 4.0 starter will work with your 2.8, I do believe that they are different between the 2.9 and 4.0, and the 4.0 is almost a direct replacement for the 2.9... if you can buy the gear separately or have a gear off of a bad starter, I would imagine that you should be able to swap them yourself. if it is pressed on, a gear puller and heating the gear up will help. put the new gear in the oven for 20 minutes at 300 degrees and put the starter in the freezer over night. should make tapping the new gear on easier.

Nice looking 1st gen. for the oil leaks, I would do your valve cover gaskets first off, but I would imagine you are due for a rear main seal as well. that will require transmission removal, so if you are doing the clutch anytime soon, that is when I would address teh rear main seal. get a set that has a sleeve to go over the crankshaft to repair any grooves worn by the old seal.

AJ

 

[RobbieD]

The 4.0L has a different starter (larger flywheel and 10" clutch) versus the 2.8/2.9L (9" clutch). Sorry, I've yet to change a Ford starter drive gear yet, so no tips, but that's the route I will take when it's needed. Replacement parts have gotten so crappy these days I'd much rather rebuild and reuse the original Ford parts wherever I can.

2.8L's are notorious for having leaking valve covers. Changing yours out isn't that hard, and will likely reduce the driveway art. I like the all rubber gaskets over the cork/rubber, but any new gaskets will be better than the broken, brittle ones you'll probably find on there now.

That's a good looking truck. It has a lot of potential, and good luck!

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Fix the leaks, and the starter. You got a truck with great potential there.

 

[ISX_15]

Not sure that a 4.0 starter will work with your 2.8, I do believe that they are different between the 2.9 and 4.0, and the 4.0 is almost a direct replacement for the 2.9... if you can buy the gear separately or have a gear off of a bad starter, I would imagine that you should be able to swap them yourself. if it is pressed on, a gear puller and heating the gear up will help. put the new gear in the oven for 20 minutes at 300 degrees and put the starter in the freezer over night. should make tapping the new gear on easier.

Nice looking 1st gen. for the oil leaks, I would do your valve cover gaskets first off, but I would imagine you are due for a rear main seal as well. that will require transmission removal, so if you are doing the clutch anytime soon, that is when I would address teh rear main seal. get a set that has a sleeve to go over the crankshaft to repair any grooves worn by the old seal.

AJ

with all honestly the whole under neath is just coated in some real good years of oil, dirt, and asphalt buildup. i have seen the leak coming directly from the mainseal, but i will do a full wash underneath to determine if there is more spots such as the oil pan. I will defiantly also take a look at the valve cover too.

at the end of the day, im just going to have the trans rebuilt since it does need some adjustments, for the starter, i could not find the correct gear needed since all the links on the forums were gone (posted years ago)

appreciate your help! you folks are the reason im enjoying this build so far.

 

[ISX_15]

The 4.0L has a different starter (larger flywheel and 10" clutch) versus the 2.8/2.9L (9" clutch). Sorry, I've yet to change a Ford starter drive gear yet, so no tips, but that's the route I will take when it's needed. Replacement parts have gotten so crappy these days I'd much rather rebuild and reuse the original Ford parts wherever I can.

2.8L's are notorious for having leaking valve covers. Changing yours out isn't that hard, and will likely reduce the driveway art. I like the all rubber gaskets over the cork/rubber, but any new gaskets will be better than the broken, brittle ones you'll probably find on there now.

That's a good looking truck. It has a lot of potential, and good luck!

all i know is that the starter drive gear, or bendix gear (whichever to call it) needs to be replaced with a 10 tooth, however the links provided are long gone

 

[ISX_15]

Fix the leaks, and the starter. You got a truck with great potential there.

other then that, its a pretty decent daily driver, just needs a tad adjustments. i do plan on putting new springs and shocks to give it a bit more height, from there i will save up for a 2WD baja kit, and its all from there.
i have so much planned for it i could write a book. going to take a few years that for sure.