Went out one day started the good ole 3.0 Ranger and she gave me a smoke show. Pulled cylinder 3 spark plug because it’s always gave me misfires and that cylinder was running on coolant. 1 and 2 were perfectly dry. Haven’t done a compression test yet but my radiator blew out also when I started it that’s day. No cross contamination anywhere and no lack of power before it blew (drove it the night before) I plan on pulling the lower intake manifold and hoping it’s that but before I do anything what should I look for before I rip the head off. Thank you in advance.

 

What year....could be head gasket ...but check the heads for cracks/valve seats

 

2001 3.0, there is coolant in the cylinder 3 and not 1 and 2. Haven’t had time to compression test and my radiator blew out when I started that’s day, that could of been a different problem because it was pretty rusted inside.

 

Welcome to the forum

It would have been over heated in the past to blow a head gasket or crack a head, whats the history?

The 160 to 900psi in that cylinder being forced into the cooling system is why the radiator got higher pressure than the normal 14psi, so "blew"
So for sure not an intake manifold gasket issue

You can do the "glove test" if you want to be sure

In any case both heads will need to come off and be pressure tested, cleaned and surfaced
Replace valve guide seals at that time, new seals will come with "head gasket set" kit

Be sure to get Ranger 3.0l head gaskets NOT Taurus 3.0l head gaskets