I have an 88, rebuilt the top end like this a long time ago, except I painted my manifold ford blue like the valve covers and made the lettering white. Parked it 10 years ago with 574k miles on the odometer. It ran fine up until I parked it but I let it overheat one time by accident and it had coolant in the oil. Which from what I understand means the lower end bearings have to be replaced at that point along with the new head gaskets. the 2.9 is a terrible motor, not much power and a bad torque curve, unreliable at best with the stupid TFI module on the back of the distributor on the back of the motor, prone to head cracking and rod bearings that will spin out easily if oil is contaminated. I was planning on putting in a 5.0 HO motor out of a mountaineer or a mustang but just ran out of time, money, and energy. It sits in my backyard collecting rust and dust now with no interior and no windshield (was cracked, had it removed to work on a roll cage and dash). Thinking about selling whats left of the truck along with the cut and turned beams I bought for it.
I’ve had good luck out of my motor so far but with the age of the vehicle I also know that could change. It’s definitely not a power house but it’s all I need to putt around town.
I used that same gasket kit and had the same issue with the valve cover gaskets. I think they are for the earlier head casting. I stretched mine and used them anyway. They sorta seal up
@@demoninthelight1 I believe I had to use a stock manifold bolt on one of the sides. Also sorry for the late response ive been moving. Thanks for watching!
I have an 88, rebuilt the top end like this a long time ago, except I painted my manifold ford blue like the valve covers and made the lettering white. Parked it 10 years ago with 574k miles on the odometer. It ran fine up until I parked it but I let it overheat one time by accident and it had coolant in the oil. Which from what I understand means the lower end bearings have to be replaced at that point along with the new head gaskets. the 2.9 is a terrible motor, not much power and a bad torque curve, unreliable at best with the stupid TFI module on the back of the distributor on the back of the motor, prone to head cracking and rod bearings that will spin out easily if oil is contaminated. I was planning on putting in a 5.0 HO motor out of a mountaineer or a mustang but just ran out of time, money, and energy. It sits in my backyard collecting rust and dust now with no interior and no windshield (was cracked, had it removed to work on a roll cage and dash). Thinking about selling whats left of the truck along with the cut and turned beams I bought for it.
I’ve had good luck out of my motor so far but with the age of the vehicle I also know that could change. It’s definitely not a power house but it’s all I need to putt around town.
I've owned mine for 25 years now. Other than it's original oil flow issues. I've never had any major issues. t's been going 230,000 miles
Overall these seem like pretty solid motors, they have there quirks but all motors do.
I used that same gasket kit and had the same issue with the valve cover gaskets. I think they are for the earlier head casting. I stretched mine and used them anyway. They sorta seal up
Yea that’s the only complaint I had with it but for $80 for a whole gasket set I couldn’t complain to much.
Aircraft paint remover works great
Good job man 🎉
Thanks!
@@JunkTrucksyou a bad man 👍
Idk everyone uses oven cleaner all I ever used was a little gas and a paint brush
Whatever gets it clean I guess.
I'm old maybe oven cleaner wasn't figured out to be effective yet lol
Diesel is the best
Where did you get the exhaust manifold bolts
There just generic stainless bolts from amazon.
@@JunkTrucks did you have to trim them down?
@@demoninthelight1 I believe I had to use a stock manifold bolt on one of the sides. Also sorry for the late response ive been moving. Thanks for watching!
@JunkTrucks you are good man! No need to apologize. I'm just having hard luck with my bolts 😂😂😂