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Well-Known Member
(lengthy post, grab another cup of coffee)
this being my 5th Ranger, it is my first 2.9. previous Rangers were 83 2.8 C3, 84 2.0 4 speed, 85 2.3 5 speed, 94 4.0 A4LD, and now this 88 2.9 5 speed.
about the truck: bought it for $500 supposedly with a cracked block. after buying a motor from the junkyard that ended up being trashed (.1875" crank endplay), i lucked out and found an overhauled 2.9 on craigslist for $300. while swapping the oil pans (low oil level sensor provision), i noticed it had new pistons (couldnt tell bore size), new oil pump, new main and rod bearings, new lifters and a new camshaft. upon tearing down the original motor, i found a blown head gasket, melted piston, and a sound block. i have pics of the carnage if anyone is interested.
motor install and break-in went very smoothly. had a minor issue with a 20 year old heater hose but i bypassed that for the time being. its already been replaced with Gates red hose. initial engine started up was right on cue. no leaks, no taps, knocks, ticks. used Rotella oil and STP Oil Treatment for break-in, replaced with Motorcraft 10w30 semi-syn and Motorcraft FL1A filter. had ACDelco R44T plugs in it. it seemed to have a miss, so i swapped them out for Motorcraft SP-419 plugs. power increased from that change alone.
overall impressions... not having anything else to compare to, this thing runs like a banshee for a small V6 ! launch at 1500-2000, pop the clutch, pray for no wheelspin, RPMs climb to 4500, quick shift to 2nd, RPMS climb to 5000, just as im shifting into 3rd, ive already hit 60MPH. and this all happens in about 6.5 - 7 seconds. a far cry from my old 91 SHO with a 0-60 at 5.7 but impressive nevertheless. also, my 79 Malibu is a beast but its a small block V8. im wondering if all properly maintained 2.9s run like this ? im hopeful that whoever overhauled the motor, put an aftermarket cam in it.
fuel mileage is stellar, with my standard shift habit of shifting at 3k RPMs, i get 17.5 MPG in the city. on the highway, ive only seen 23 MPG for now. i can prolly eek a few more MPGs out of it on both scales.
body and frame: i have found the front frame horns are bent (both in the same direction) so ill have to tend to that when i start doing bodywork on it. ill have to replace both bumpers and do some sheetmetal work on the rear corners of the bed
. the cab is in great shape sans the nasty pushed in cargo lamp area. that will take some time to straighten out. fenders, stone deflector, and grille also are to be replaced. after all that is done, ill lower it 2" front and rear, add some custom wheels, throw some paint on it, and be happy.
i have a few little nuisances to take care of as well, like trouble starting, inoperative fuel gauge, radius arm bushings, power steering leak, speedo reading is off, and brake lights dont come on when they should (makes for a surprise when you think youve deactivated the cruise lol).
anywho, so who can tell me if the 2.9 is supposed to be this strong ? i just did not expect this kind of performance from it...
Dale
this being my 5th Ranger, it is my first 2.9. previous Rangers were 83 2.8 C3, 84 2.0 4 speed, 85 2.3 5 speed, 94 4.0 A4LD, and now this 88 2.9 5 speed.
about the truck: bought it for $500 supposedly with a cracked block. after buying a motor from the junkyard that ended up being trashed (.1875" crank endplay), i lucked out and found an overhauled 2.9 on craigslist for $300. while swapping the oil pans (low oil level sensor provision), i noticed it had new pistons (couldnt tell bore size), new oil pump, new main and rod bearings, new lifters and a new camshaft. upon tearing down the original motor, i found a blown head gasket, melted piston, and a sound block. i have pics of the carnage if anyone is interested.
motor install and break-in went very smoothly. had a minor issue with a 20 year old heater hose but i bypassed that for the time being. its already been replaced with Gates red hose. initial engine started up was right on cue. no leaks, no taps, knocks, ticks. used Rotella oil and STP Oil Treatment for break-in, replaced with Motorcraft 10w30 semi-syn and Motorcraft FL1A filter. had ACDelco R44T plugs in it. it seemed to have a miss, so i swapped them out for Motorcraft SP-419 plugs. power increased from that change alone.
overall impressions... not having anything else to compare to, this thing runs like a banshee for a small V6 ! launch at 1500-2000, pop the clutch, pray for no wheelspin, RPMs climb to 4500, quick shift to 2nd, RPMS climb to 5000, just as im shifting into 3rd, ive already hit 60MPH. and this all happens in about 6.5 - 7 seconds. a far cry from my old 91 SHO with a 0-60 at 5.7 but impressive nevertheless. also, my 79 Malibu is a beast but its a small block V8. im wondering if all properly maintained 2.9s run like this ? im hopeful that whoever overhauled the motor, put an aftermarket cam in it.
fuel mileage is stellar, with my standard shift habit of shifting at 3k RPMs, i get 17.5 MPG in the city. on the highway, ive only seen 23 MPG for now. i can prolly eek a few more MPGs out of it on both scales.
body and frame: i have found the front frame horns are bent (both in the same direction) so ill have to tend to that when i start doing bodywork on it. ill have to replace both bumpers and do some sheetmetal work on the rear corners of the bed
. the cab is in great shape sans the nasty pushed in cargo lamp area. that will take some time to straighten out. fenders, stone deflector, and grille also are to be replaced. after all that is done, ill lower it 2" front and rear, add some custom wheels, throw some paint on it, and be happy.i have a few little nuisances to take care of as well, like trouble starting, inoperative fuel gauge, radius arm bushings, power steering leak, speedo reading is off, and brake lights dont come on when they should (makes for a surprise when you think youve deactivated the cruise lol).
anywho, so who can tell me if the 2.9 is supposed to be this strong ? i just did not expect this kind of performance from it...
Dale
