I need some of your honest opinions on the 2.9L V6. Im looking at a 88 Ranger that had 54,000 original miles, 5-speed, manual transfer case and hubs. Its what Im looking for but I saw a 2.9L in a Bronco 2 warp the heads and blow the head gaskets. I know the 2.9 gets a bad rep but is it just different opinions or is this just not a reliable motor. Thanks

 

@ 54k and the right price, I'd grab it.

Can always throw a 4.0 in it, if it ever comes to that.

Like any motor, don't ever overheat it.

Look at the pedal pads for more wear than 54k would indicate. For example, my 93 @ 135k has bare metal showing through pedal wear at one corner (wasn't MY foot). My 2000 @ 100k has barely detectable wear, mostly just imbedded grit.

 

I had an '88 Ranger GT with the 2.9 and I never had any problems with it except for changing the valve cover gaskets about 4 times. Ford has come out with some better gaskets now with special coating and sealer on the gasket. The one problem I was aware of when I had mine was thin castings in the head coolant passages that are prone to cracking - probably not a problem with proper coolant sevice and if you don't overheat it.

 

Yea I need to make sure its not 154,000 which still isn't horrible. I can get it for $1,800