Ford Ranger 2.9L V6 Rebuild Project
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- We have been restoring our 1989 Ford Ranger 2.9L V6, 4x4, Automatic over the past year. So far, it has been off-camera. But, It got interesting when we decided to rebuild the stock, 2.9L V6...and soup it up with gasket-matching, porting and polishing the cylinder heads, intakes, and adding roller-rockers from Morana Racing! Follow the build here on Fixity-Fix!
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I just bought myself one for $500! It ran when it was parked in 2010, it has 68,324 miles on it. I tested out the electronics yesterday and all lights, radio, ac, and horn work!
I can't wait to get it running again!
Edit: I got it running! I think i might have to get a new head gasket! 😂
Sounds like a sweet deal! Enjoy the truck. We love ours and it’s been really dependable once all the gremlins were sorted out!
I love automatic transmission and I never had any problems out of my 1987 ranger with 2.9, it was a great motor
I have an 88 2.9. No real problems. Replied my IAC valve and MAP sensor. 230,000 miles automatic. Good truck.
I have the same truck 87 Ford ranger 2.9 V6 four-wheel drive it's red I love it I can't give it up for nothing I've had the transmission rebuilt I'm having problems with shifting out of first into second I was and now it's gotten better I've done a certain couple of little things everything you do to these trucks matters doesn't it but I've noticed throttle body flap where you say keep that clean I just cleaned that today and I literally sanded it down with some cleaner and some 400 grit and got it really shiny so you take those two screws out and take that off and that's a little bit more around the edges of air flow perfectly clean thanks for your video it's awesome
I have an '88 Ranger GT with the 2.9L and have been eyeing doing some mild performance improvement. Been slowly putting it back to whole since I bought it in a few years ago. Really interested in seeing how the Morana racing parts do-want to just goose the power up a tad to something respectable for the street in my own vehicle. Truck's my daily driver and I've definitely had those common sensor failures (IAC, MAP, TPS) before. Truck doesn't fail to run, but you can definitely tell there's an idling issue/engine can't feel what it's doing. Looking forward to the next videos on this build!
Thanks for watching and for sharing about your ‘88. I hope you’ll post more about your project as it progresses! I’m still waiting on the machine shop for the block, but anxious to see how my ‘89 runs in the end. I took a shotgun approach, roller-rockers, porting everything, headers, so it will be hard to know what power gains (if there are any…) come from what mods. But I’m excited to see what happens when I finally turn the key.
A quick update on the build and a word of caution, based on my experience with the Morana parts. I installed the fully rebuilt engine, and it started right up. Then, there were horrible noises from the top end! The machinist who built the engine for me came right over to trouble-shoot. After removing the valve covers, the source of the noise was obvious. 4 of the 12 Morana roller rocker studs had snapped off, right above where Morana had welded them onto the brace that is supplied with them. After my local machinist checks the heads for potential unseen damage cause by the Morana roller-rocker failure I am going to rebuild the heads with the stock rocker system. .video to come soon! At this point, I cannot recommend Morana parts for these engines.
Hey! Roanoke local here too!
Nice video, I have a 1986 2.9 and getting ready to build the engine
I absolutely love the 83-88 Rangers! I’d love to hear how your 2.9 build goes! The Cologne 2.9 is way underrated here in the US!
@@fixityfix yes for sure. My father has a 1987. That truck has been thru hurricanes, Floods and the truck still runs.
Once again l would like to follow your footsteps on this project, more videos please, thank you.
Thanks for watching! Working on more vids for sure! In the meantime, I have to say, the Morana roller rockers failed within a few minutes of run-in and I am having to re-rebuild…so don’t follow my exact footsteps ;-)
great video, looking forward to seeing more updates on your rebuild! I'm doing research at the moment to rebuild and improve my '86 STX with the 2.9. wasn't aware of tom morana's work, really cool to see some performance and reliability support for these apparently derided colognes! curious to see what your impressions are on the gains made by the new parts once it's done. I've read the 2.9 tends to have issues with cooling, any plans for upgrading that system?
also would appreciate any advice on things to look for when tearing down the 2.9 or must-replace/upgrade items. trying to get it reliable as I can, not really hoping for any increase in power (though I wouldn't complain!). it's virtually my first time doing any automotive work and I love this truck, tryin to make it last as long as possible. hope to see more from this project soon!
Thanks for watching and for the kind comment! Full disclosure, this is my first 2.9 rebuild…so I may be about to get it all wrong :-)
My understanding from research and from talking with the more experienced folks at the machine shop is the overheating issue has more to do with the heads being less tolerant of overheating than most engines. This is especially true of pre-1989 heads. See this helpful article on head selection: www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.shtml
So, the oval-pedestal, older heads will crack easily if the engine ever overheats, even just a little. Post ‘89 and better aftermarket castings are more robust. Tom Morana suggests just replacing the heads with new castings if you ever pull them. My machinist suggested I just run my ‘89 originals since they magnafluxed fine and have the improved square pedestals. Just for grins, I will be swapping the hydraulic radiator fan for an electric fan - I’ll do a video on that when I finally get the block back and install it. I already upsized the radiator to a Napa part # RNR NR1164B - it’s a larger radiator from an Explorer that will shoehorn into the automatic transmission Rangers. In any case, It’s essential to flush the cooling system, replace the thermostat and radiator cap and keep the coolant topped off, always. Additionally, these engines have flat lifters (aka tappets). So when rebuilding, it’s super important to use a good high-zinc/ZDDP break-in oil, like “Driven BR30” for a couple of 500 mile cycles then use something with ZDDP for the future. Stick with conventional oil for at least 15k miles before going synthetic. While zinc is hard on catalytic converters, no-zinc will *kill* the cams and lifers and leave you down on power and with the dreaded cologne Tick! Lesser of two evils, in my mind, is to use anti-seize on the catalytic converter bolts and pull it and rinse it with soap and water every 20-30k. It’s a long story, but these good little engines got caught in the middle of drama among big oil, the big three auto makers, and the EPA in the early 1990’s. Some people opt to gut the cats, though this is not entirely legal. Please keep me posted on your ‘86!
Nice work! I have an '88 Bronco II that I bought new. It has the same 2.9L engine and mine now has 225,000 miles on it. It's still going strong, as strong as it ever was, anyway but I have to figure it's not going to last forever. Oddly enough, I've never had to replace any of the sensors other than the distributor when the Hall effect sensor (crank sensor) started going bad. In fact, it's been super-reliable over its 34 years. I'd never heard of Tom Morana. Do the 1.7:1 roller rockers turn this into an interference engine?
Great info. I've researched Moreno too. Good stuff. Are you planning to use a stock grind camshaft? Do you foresee any custom computer tuning bring that the speed density system is limited? I have 88 Ranger and Bronco 2. I share your save consideration of building up the 2.9l in both vehicles.
I’ll probably stick with a stock cam - given the rockers are 1.7:1…and the performance grind cams are hard to find right now. I also want to do just enough to wake up the engine without needing to get new injectors or a custom tune. I’ll see how it runs with stock tuning and injectors, and consider getting a custom tune if needed. What I have heard so far is these engine’s stock tuning and injectors do alright with this level of modification but once people start boosting, tuning and higher flow injectors are needed. This is my first crack at a 2.9 though so any advice is appreciated!
Looking forward to seeing progress and maybe a dyno test. Your rebuild is exactly what I have planned when my 2.9 dies. My problem is I’ve run Mobol1 since I bought it used with 50k miles. Now with 208k and the engine is still strong with excellent compression and no ticking. Only issue is a leaky rear main seal.
I already have ported the Plenum, intake and heads from another engine. Oh. What are your plans for the headers and exhaust?
Thanks for watching and for the comments! What differences did you notice after porting? I can only find pace-setter headers in stock these days, so I’ll install the ceramic version when I finally get the engine in. What is your header/exhaust setup and how do you like it?
Would you happen to know if Ford used a hydraulic roller cam and lifters on the 1989 Ford ranger with 2.9l or if they used a hydraulic flat tappet cam and lifters
the AOD is not a stick thats the biggest problem with people. just maintain it and dont tow or trail ride in OD
Have an 89 Bronco 2. Replaced engine a few years ago. I have the old 2.9 block that I will let go for a great price if anyone is interested
that's 😎😎
I'd like to see how this came out, l have the same motor.thank you.
The Moana rollover rockers failed within minutes…so, I am having to rebuild the heads. New video to come!
Me gustó mucho el video, tengo una Ranger 87 v6, , bien explicado, eperamos más videos del avance de reconstrucción de la Ranger saludos desde Villahermosa Tabasco México. 🔧🔩👍, Denle liki y suscribanse...
Is this a dual gas tank?
Just a single on this one. Thanks for watching!
just baught 88..
😀Be careful with your mods. The 2.9 is a speed density engine and the computer can only accommodate limited changes in its calculations. If you change too much you ,will not be able to get the engine to operate correctly, even though people are boosting about all the power gains you can expect You cannot correct air/fuel and limited timing adjustment is available, You cannot re-flash the engine computer. Use a melling oil pump and a high pressure by-pass spring to improve oiling. The 2.9 is a good engine , if maintained.