Hello everyone! I just purchased a 2000 ranger 4x4 with 120k miles, it appeared to be a near immaculate truck inside and out. After getting it home I noticed a very small leak of coolant from the head gasket, bummer... but no worries.......right?
Not right, I pulled the head off and immediately noticed it had two cracks, not super surprised as I know that's common, but what got me is the pistons, they are blue! Like the tip of a torch blue! Like this thing got stupid hot for a long time blue. I'm absolutely heartbroken, do I need an entire new engine? I don't know if I can trust the block and bottom end of this thing, I would greatly appreciate your input, can I just throw new heads on it and feel safe or is this thing scrap? It drove great during the 40 miles I put on it

Side note, it looks like someone put in gallons of that copper bar stop leak stuff, ill also need new radiator/ heater core.

Here's photos of the pistons!

Blue pistons, and tons of that stupid liquid copper!

This head actially has two cracks, one not in the photo.

 

Welcome to the forum

You should be fine with new heads, but they need to be 1998-2000 models, 98TM-AD

Yes, replace radiator
But just flush out heater core, in BOTH directions, in a 1995 and up Ranger you literally have to pull the whole dash out to replace heater core

I would also pull off the water pump(replace if you want) and then flush the block with heads off
I made a garden hose attachment with small hose the fits down coolant ports in the block
Then used long screwdriver to break up the debris in the corners and spaces around the cylinder and flush it out
Its amazing how much build up there is in blocks, not just 4.0l, any older engine will have build-up in the block, lower sides on V engines
Crusty stuff, almost chisel/hammer grade stuff, lol