Not able to Start 1998 2WD Ranger

[Brain75]

If the PO was into drag racing or especially if it was a young kid into drag racing that would be my guess.. a run out gauge is a machinist tool (most commonly used on the lathe).. if you got a machinist buddy that might be a place - might even rent one from an parts store... harbor freight has a junky clamp style for $40.... more than I would spend for a single use if you have no machinist needs.

Clamping Dial Indicator

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I would get a bolt on style and bolt it through a bellhousing bolt, if the tranny was steel then magnetic would work, clamp could even work...if it is as bad as I suspect just holding your screwdriver 1/4" away and watching it wobble around and touch your screwdriver.

I suspect a warped flywheel more than other things precisely because you are burning up starters.

 

[Brain75]

something else that could be, could be the P.O. dropped the trans (replace torque converter or for whatever other reason) and got it cocked in at an angle... that would wreck the new pump and leave you with the sticky starter.

 

[angrysmileyface]

So I only know a little bit of the history of this thing. Previous owner theoretically bought the thing in 2002. He parked it probably in 20 or 21 because he thought it had a bad head gasket, and proceeded to pass away in 2022. His widow sold the truck because she didnt want someone to part it out and I was looking for something for my kid. (Cylinder 5 I think was low on compression and it looked like there had been fluid intrusion along the side when I stuffed a boroscope down the cylinder). The thing ran poorly and was a hard start (not as bad as like it is now), but enough for me to get it on and off the trailer when I purchased it in March of 2024. Finding all this, I pulled apart the top end of the engine, had the heads checked, put in new top end gaskets, a water pump, replaced the plugs, made sure before I shoved the valve covers on, that all the rockers were moving etc. Cranked the engine without plugs to ensure things were all happy and it doesnt seem to hang like it does in the video with the plugs in. Part of me is starting to think that 2002 B3000 engine with 142k is looking very good at this point.

 

[Brain75]

so "fluid" (water?) intrusion and no hone on cylinder sounds bad to me... I take it you cycled the pistons up and down and look the bores over real good before putting the heads back on?
I would think that the turn by hand would have a sticky spot if you had a buggered up cylinder though.

 

[angrysmileyface]

Intrusion is probably the wrong word. I saw what was an looking like an angled dark spot facing the side of the engine. When I pulled the heads off, I checked all the cylinders and none of them had anything note worthy or finger nail catching. I wiped down the walls with WD40 while I head the heads at the machine shop and even filled some of the cylinders that were not at the top of the bore with a little bit of wd40 and noticed that it didnt drain into the oil pan.

 

[angrysmileyface]

So things have changed and Im not particular sure why other than I pushed a real battery into the mix. The engine still runs like crap and only for a few moments at a time. Most Recent attempt at starting Video. Additionally I notice it was developing oil pressure and the tach was jumping/moving when the engine was "running of sorts"