hey everyone, i have a 1994 Ford Ranger i purchased sometime in August. i picked the truck up for a steal, so i knew there was something wrong with it. well, about a thousand dollars later, i know what the issue was, and prepare to cringe, because you're gonna feel this in YOUR wallets: the transmission went out after i got it home. Now, i have another problem. it has no issues driving, after it's warmed up. but when i first crank it of the day, or if it has been sitting for more than about six hours, it does not want to idle. it won't stay running unless i stand there and give it a little gas. so i can't warm it up on cold days before i get in it to drive (Bummer), but once it warms to nearly operating temperature, it runs and drives fine. it even has enough power to spin the 32 inch tires that came with it. it's a 4x2, but the kid made it look like a 4x4. i need to know what i can do to fix this, because if i attempt to drive it in this state, it has no power. if my friends stood in front of it and put their hands out, they could probably keep me from moving forward. it backfires if i put it to the floor, and it bogs badly. i like my ranger. i don't want to get rid of it. so i am in it to fix it. i'm not even in it cash wise what it is worth yet. any advice would be greatly appreciated. someone told me it was the spark plugs, but i have a hard time believing that.

EDIT: was told that my oil is way too thick, can that is causing part of my problems. i also, apparently, need a complete engine overhaul. how hard would it be to put a 4.0 in a 3.0 truck?

 

got a healthy dose of bad news today. while at the service center i take my vehicles to for their oil changes, the mechanic agreed to let me under the ranger to examine it. and what i found is upsetting and frustrating. my ranger has a cracked block. it's just a hairline crack, right above the drain plug, about half an inch in length. any advice on sealing said crack, so as i can ride this motor for as many miles as i can, at least until i can order a crate engine?

 

Sorry to hear about the luck man... In a situation like that, I wouldn't want to drive around with a cracked block. I think you should look around some junk yards for a used 3.0 since you already replaced the transmission. Doing a 4.0 swap could run you into many complications.

 

Check out LKQ online they sell used engines i just got a trans from them and they offer a warranty for them. IF the cracked block is causing the issues then sealing the outside probably won't help because it probably goes all the way through. Since you just did the trans it would be a nice idea to upgrade if you do it right shouldn't cause any issues but to each his own. Do what suits you but if your spinning those big tires off that 3.0l and its already having problems either go smaller tires and replace the 3.0l or upgrade to a 4.0l the 3.0l doesn't not have that much torque so its an awfully big strain on it and its starting to show in the failures! Just my opinion here but 31's don't do much good on a 4x2 off road so if it were me id go to smaller tires and save your wallet. Good luck on your fix!

 

true, the tires don't do me much good on a 4x2. to be honest this is how i purchased the truck. and i purchased it....... on craigslist. it has a 3 inch body lift, that hasn't even been done right. the bumpers are gapped, the bed shakes, and is warped. the engine runs like a top, except when it is cold. other than that, it's in wonderful shape. the diff is solid, no leaks. very little body damage, on the bed. it came with an expensive diamond plate toolbox, in black. i've never done anything like a body lift before, and i'm told i will need to find and purchase the proper length bolts if i were to take it off. if i go to a smaller tire with the 3 inch BL, it's gonna look kinda dumb. i was thinking of a street-style tire, that would fill the wheel holes like the 32's, but not be a mud tire. truth be told, though, i haven't gotten it stuck once. i was told that the crack is minimal, and that JB weld (maybe) could patch it and i could ride until i got the engine replaced.

 

Yeah i see your point if your not worried about breaking just trying to ride it as far as it will go then go for the jb weld! I'm kinda surprised it cracked though these 3.0 blocks are notoriously tough the kid must have run it hot at some point thats the only time I've ever heard of them cracking! But hey if your looking at a crate motor and want to keep your tires might check out Tom Morana racing he makes a bored and stroked 3.0l with ported and polished heads and intake and supposedly capable of boost into 20PSI so that might be a better bet strength wise. Not sure exactly how much you want to spend on it but hey its an option.

 

agreed. my friend's wife had a taurus with the 3.0. she had like 400k on the clock, it leaked oil, ran like it was new, and rode on TWO blown headgaskets. she sold it for a minivan. the crack in this block is like, less than half an inch. if i can patch her up, i don't see why i would have to replace it. it still runs like a top when it gets warm.

 

Yeah id imagine as the block heats up and swells it helps seal it up. And hey you still see a ton of aerostars still running around and they have the same 3.0l I've seen one with 500K on it they really don't die! lol

 

my truck has definitely been dogged on before i got it. i'm finding worn parts everywhere i turn. i think that i need to overhaul the entire engine, top to bottom. i mean, new pistons, seals, have the cylinders smoothed, new injectors, the works. i'm gonna be in the truck about what it is worth, but i'll have a like-new truck. and, if the rebuild goes well, it'll last me forever. eventually, i'm gonna have a custom paint job, CB radio, and a bunch more done to it. i'll have to post pictures eventually.