I'm an idiot....It doesn't have an Overhead Cam, its a push rod engine so you don't have to have anything lined up when taking the rocker arms and push rods out, but I did it anyways.....Put my finger over the Number One Spark Plug Hole, turned the Drive Shaft until I felt Compression and wham, #1 is at TDC.....

I have read the manual over and over and have Mostly everything tore apart, just have to take apart the coolant lines, the Throttle Body and I can start tearing apart the fun stuff...I'm just Hoping nothings cracked except the Gasket, I Have a Good Feeling. Will have Heads Milled, New Gaskets on both heads, New Valve Cover Gaskets, New Spark PLugs and Wires, New Thermostat and along with the already New Water Pump, Fan Clutch, Cooling Fan and Belt and this baby will run like new again...

Seems like I'm talking to Myself, but I'm kinda enjoying this New Experience of tearing a motor apart.......So when I get done, I'll get some pics up for you all!

 

As someone who bought their Ranger brand new in 1997, it kills me what a 3rd gen is worth now. If you've ever paid full price for something new, that's what number will be in your mind forever. I was 19 when I got my first Ranger off the lot and they took me for a ride. Life insurance, disability coverage, etc.... tallied a $10k truck up to $19k with financing. So that's what I signed for in 1997 for a ranger with 18 miles on it. Damn thing may not be worth $2k today, but to me it is still $20 grand...... cause that's what I paid. LOL.......

 

LOL

I just bought a 99 svt contour from the original owner last month. After all said and done, he spend close to 30k on the car with financing (guessing he didnt have great credit since his interest rate was high), and I bought it for next to nothing lol