Needing some help with my 86 ford ranger 2.9l

[Joshuamc]

I just join this site, after purchasing a Ford Ranger from my mom's boyfriend.after driving the truck around for a few days I noticed that it was leaking oil from the heads. So I got a top end rebuild gasket kit an started taking it apart( this truck sat for 10 years before my mom's boyfriend got it an he only had it for 2 weeks) an oh my god at the slug it was hard as a rock on the valve springs. I cleaned everything with a wire brush, I broke 8 bolts off exhaust manifold. Well after soaking them in good oil for a week I began trying to tap the broken bolts out. Well the didn't work out because the mount on the heads where they manifold go Corner broke. So my question is I have a 86 Ford Ranger 2.9 L will a 90 3.0 head work or a 4.0 head work? What heads will work with my 2.9l motor? Thanks for any help

 

[sheep herder]

You need 2.9 heads for a 2.9 block.

 

[RonD]

Yes, +1 ^^^

You need 1989-1992 2.9L heads casting is 89TM you don't want the older heads they crack

Unfortunately they are getting hard to find

 

[Joshuamc]

Thanks guys. I guess it's a shooting target now.

 

[19Walt93]

There are aftermarket heads for those I think. If the engine is full of sludge it should get a complete teardown. I've seen sludge break loose after partial repairs and clog the oil pump pickup. Do it right or you'll end up doing it over, good luck.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Thanks guys. I guess it's a shooting target now.

Dude you can buy a running 2.9 for less then 500 bucks.

Besides are you sure it was the heads leaking oil and not just the valve covers?

Ill about bet it was the valve covers and it woulda been a 15 dollar 2 hr job max.

Sell it to someone who'll fix it, dont just use it for target practice, theres other people out there who would apperciate it and fix it, 1st gens are getting hard to come by.

 

[franklin2]

I bought the heads off ebay, , one of mine had a hairline crack in it. Mine was a 86 also, if they never have been replaced I would not invest any money in the old heads.

When I was replacing mine, I too twisted every exhaust manifold bolt off, including the ones to the y-pipe. Since I had new heads, I let the head guy worry about the broken bolts (they probably threw them away after taking the valves out). I had a difficult time rounding up new metric bolts though. My local Napa came through and had them in stock in their bolt bins.

If the truck is in good shape, it may be worth new heads, that is up to you. Be careful though, if the engine is sludged up it may not have been taken care of.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I bought the heads off ebay, , one of mine had a hairline crack in it. Mine was a 86 also, if they never have been replaced I would not invest any money in the old heads.

When I was replacing mine, I too twisted every exhaust manifold bolt off, including the ones to the y-pipe. Since I had new heads, I let the head guy worry about the broken bolts (they probably threw them away after taking the valves out). I had a difficult time rounding up new metric bolts though. My local Napa came through and had them in stock in their bolt bins.

If the truck is in good shape, it may be worth new heads, that is up to you. Be careful though, if the engine is sludged up it may not have been taken care of.

if it aint wrecked or rotted in half its worth fixing...since hes in alabama you can pretty much rule out rot...

here @Joshuamc heres 9 used, complete 2.9s within 150 miles of your location...

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Fix it or sell it to someone who will.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Thanks guys. I guess it's a shooting target now.

I'm on hiatus, but logged in for this.

You are in alabama?

If you are going to turn it into a target, what would you want for it? I have a dolly and can be down this weekend.