New Member - Bad News

[glassman08]

1988 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 2.9L


Hey Everybody ....

Well good times can change quickly

Started up Ranger this morning ... sounded abit rough ... let it idle abit longer than usual - about 1 hour by the time I decided to take to garage.

Sounded like electrical [wiring] issue ... tried old fashion tips ... poured water on coil ... nothing - kept running. Shut truck off ... poured on water ... fired right up. hmmmmmm

With truck running poured on distributor ... abit of sputter ..but kept running

Drove up to garage ... mechanic met me outside ... truck didn't even make it into garage.

He checked all park plug wires
He checked [pulled] and cleaned rotor & checked cap

Brought out his 'doctor listener' .... engine problems - bottom end - sounds like a bearing I'm told .... NIICE

So to begin ... what now .. REBUILD or BUY another 2.9L

I'm told it's easier to change from underneath [rebuild] - IDEAS??

I know I'm ... feeling despair ... too much other invested in truck to scrap ... good times - solid original body

MANY NEW PARTS

Wheel Bearings & Seals
Brakes & Parking Brake Cable & Sensor
CAT converter and exhaust pipe
Alternator & Starter
Plugs, Oil Changes & misc
Heater Core & Hoses
Certified & Etested in Dec 2009

So ... anyone have PICTORIAL/VIDEO/EDITORIAL on how to change everything from underneath???

Show me what ya got!

Thanks

glassman

 

[countryboy]

you are better off to pull engine will save you alot of aggervation

 

[WTF]

Replace that 2.9 with another and keep that bad boy on the road OR......drop in a 4.0 instead???!!!

 

[88_Eddie]

you are better off to pull engine will save you alot of aggervation

i agree, i just recently pulled mine out to rebuild it, it is MUCH easier to deal with out of the truck. there really isnt much that you have to take apart to get it out. i rented an engine hoist from a local tool rental place for $22 for 24 hours. did it by myself with no trouble.

they sell rebuild kits at a bunch of places, a master kit will run you a little over $500, but they come with everything

 

[Lead Head]

I vote keep the 2.9 and rebuild it although I will admit I am quite partial to 2.9s. Definitely do it out of the vehicle though.

2.9s are actually amazingly stout engines. There are a few people running around with turbo 2.9s pushing over 400HP on stock internals.

 

[holyford86]

I vote keep the 2.9 and rebuild it although I will admit I am quite partial to 2.9s. Definitely do it out of the vehicle though.

2.9s are actually amazingly stout engines. There are a few people running around with turbo 2.9s pushing over 400HP on stock internals.

and they are probably the European version of the engine which is much stouter than the North American one, the 2.9 is a decent engine if properly maintained but definitely not a powerhouse

 

[Lead Head]

and they are probably the European version of the engine which is much stouter than the North American one, the 2.9 is a decent engine if properly maintained but definitely not a powerhouse

The European 2.9 is identical internally to the North American 2.9. Only differences are thicker heads, and I believe Euro 2.9s may have had solid lifters as well.

 

[IMenriched]

If I had to do it again...I'd swap in a 4.0. the power yeild gain for dollars spent.

not that the 2.9 isn't tough nut in itself....just that ad on goodies are F-a-r more wide than with 2.9