2003 3.0 SOHC High Mileage Head issues
 

Hi All

My son has an 03 Ranger XLT 4x2 with the 4.0 SOHC motor. Been a great truck, but it has over 210k on the motor and now developing Head issues (blown gasket and/or cracked head on #3)

Everything we're reading says you need to pull the motor to remove passenger head - thats fine if necessary. But If we need to do that, I guess its time to replace the slave cylinder, etc

It also begs questions, that with as many miles as on this truck, Im thinking a complete rebuild is likely more economical.

Anybody have any reputable contacts in San Diego that would have a rebuilt on the shelf?

If we take the route of just rebuilding mine, any parts upgrades we cant live without? Its his daily driver, and not much of a budget, but if any reliable upgrades that we can do, nows the time.

thanks
Sean

Welcome to the forum

The 4.0l SOHC engine never had head problems so yours is a rare occurrence, but if overheated long enough any engine can blow a head gasket

1997 to 2004 4.0l SOHC engines should get a new timing chain set and tensioners, use only Motorcraft parts, this does require pulling engine

Yes, if you have a manual transmission then new clutch/slave would be good to do at that time

Southern Calif has loads of engine rebuilders so its likely you can get a swap rebuilt long block, just have to call around
You would need to strip your engine down and then bolt everything back on to the new long block, so all wiring would match

Use a new Knock Sensor, always
Check thermostat housing over closely, they tend to crack and leak

thanks for the advice, Ron! At this stage (nothing unbolted yet) I am assuming a head gasket but ya never know until youre in it. Hes maintained it properly and no signs of an overheating problem ever. We did have to replace cracked thermo housing when we got it.

Ive had experience with failed tensioners on Ford OHC motors, so would certainly be replacing all in a rebuild. Good on you for knock sensor replacement.

All things considered, I may just try to find a used longblock with under 100k on it (if I can sift through all of the scammers) and running it as is until needs love, instead of rebuilding ours. this might be the most economical way for my son to get back on the road with his daily, and then rebuild it down the road.....

I have had good luck with Rislone Head gasket fix, for temporary use

Other brands clogged the overflow/recovery system used on Rangers, so coolant would go out of radiator, as it should, on each warm up, but coolant couldn't be sucked back in on cool down so you had to check radiator level every morning