New Member Greeting and Needs Help, w/pics!

[Raccoon]

Hello All,

New member here. I did a search for my specific issue but no luck. I bought a 1990 Ford Ranger XLT with the 2.9L V6, 5sp manual, no AC about 3 months ago.

I am having cooling system issues.

Love the truck and it runs great for the most part. I was going through it and of course the temp gage didn't work so I grounded out the wire to the sender and the gage pegged so that ruled out the gage. I then installed a new sensor, but then when the engine warmed up the gage would only go to just above the C. So I thought the thermostat was stuck open because it seemed the engine never warmed up in the cooler temps here in Washington state, so I replaced it as well. The gage still stays low, except now it rises to about the middle if I am in traffic or drive thrus. I am not sure if that is normal. Most vehicles' temp gages comes up to a certain point and stay there regardless of the driving conditions. (unless overheating of course)

So now I am looking at other possible problems. I think I may have a bad clutch in the fan. If I try to spin the fan with the engine cold it only rotates about 1/4 turn. Isn't it supposed to freewheel when cold?

Also, please see the attached pics. I think my fan shroud is missing and the fan seems to be too small and/or too far away from the radiator.

I've scoured the Internet looking for Ranger engine compartment photos but no luck there either.

Can anyone please look at my pics and tell me if my setup differs from stock, and if so, what I should do? Thanks a bunch!

 

[jhammel85]

If its getting warm while sitting then its possible that its the shroud. Either way, its cheap insurance if you find one that s in one piece and install it.

 

[RustedRanger]

Looks like mine. I guess unless it had AC they had no shroud...except the "finger guard" "shroud".

 

[Raccoon]

Thanks alot for the look see. I guess they hadnt figured out by 1990 that having the fan close to the radiator helps draw air through it better. I am seriously considering an electric conversion and doing away with the clutch fan altogether. I haven't driven this truck in the heat of summer yet and I want to be sure it will not overheat and crack the heads like I read so much about on these 2.9L V6s.

Anybody have a guess as to whether the fan clutch is OK? It feels stiff when it's cold. I was spinning it by hand this morning and I could barely get it to keep spinning for 1 rev by itself.