Have 2005 ranger 3.0 collapsed a lifter and broke a pushrod in half. So after pulling out half of pushrod I could find and any little pieces of metal put valve cover back on and everything else fired it up and actually runs pretty good except for some minimal popping. Of course thru the intake when valve is opening. My question is couldnt I unplug the injector to the number 2 cyl. and the spark plug wire so that no fuel mixture and no spark for combustion is happening? Basically the exhaust valve has no lifter or pushrod so it stays closed, should I remove the pushrod from the intake valve also?

 

Yes, if piston is not moving then disable intake valve
Also unplug injector
Have to leave spark plug connected or you will lose another cylinder, spark plugs are wired in series pairs, 1/5, 2/6, 3/4 are the pairs

Problem now is engine is out of balance, the pairs mentioned above balance the engine as it rotates, each pair are at top dead center at the same time, every 120deg of rotation
You now have a working cylinder with no counter balance
The vibration will be an issue over time, can't say specifically what will happen, I doubt it will break the crank but its possble

 

Ok well everything still there and moves except for the lifter and pushrod on exhaust valve cylinder 2. I’ve unplugged the injector and the spark plug wire. The piston is still there as it normally would be. Just have broken pushrod and completely collapsed lifter to where only part of lifter left in slot is the outer shell.

 

Sorry, mis-read pushrod as connecting rod

#6 may also misfire its the "matched pair" for #2, if so then move the #6 spark plug wire to the #2 hole on coil pack, see if that helps