I bought a 1995 4.0 Ranger for $800 and at 258k miles it has prolbems (shocker ik). It has a bad idle due to random misfire and issues with the starter, but that's another post for another day. The most worrying thing is finding nasty brown crap floating in the coolant and milky oil after running it. The previous owner said he did a head gasket and left it low on oil and coolant. So he definetly did not do a fluid flush and left it sitting for a very long time. I've also heard that the 4.0 engines can have cracked heads. I don't know if that's exclusively the ohv or if it also affects the sohc nor am I 100% sure that I have the sohc engine. Can you guys shed some light on whether it's likely I have cracked heads and which 4.0 engine came in the 1995 model year xlt 4x4?
update: has X in eighth didget of vin so ohv engine

 

Oil in the coolant and frothy oil point to a cracked head or block. But either way you need a new engine because the bearings will be shot. They dont like water. I would say if the truck is otherwise worth it, put in a new engine. If not, bite the bullet and swallow the $800

 

$800 buck lost. Going to take more than that to fix your issues. As stated above, New engine for sure.

 

Your 1995 has an OHV engine. You're a few years prior to the SOHC's debut.

Your question of the likelihood of cracked heads is unanswerable. A lot can happen over 31 model years and 258,000 miles.
The PO's head gasket job may have been necessitated by overheating. There's no way for us to tell.
The whole "left it low on oil and coolant" admission implies amateurishness or incompetence at the very least.
Do you know the rest of the story?

If the truck is in good shape, replacing the engine could be a viable route.
I don't know how long ago Ford ceased making your OHV.
So any junkyard examples may have been lying around for a long time so a good rebuilt engine could be economical.
It sounds like the engine's electronics are working.

Fire it up and check the fuel pressure.
Put it in gear with the brakes on and see if your mounts are still effective.
Metal -possibly rusted- gas tank?

Describe the rest of the vehicle as well as your situation.
Did you buy this truck because you need a truck now?
Is it automatic or manual?
Does it have AC? If so, does it work?

This is your first post.
I'm not on the Welcoming Committee, but WELCOME to the Ranger-Forums!
Are you going to remember you joined or are we never going to hear from you again?

If you do return to this thread, come with details.
EVERYBODY here wants to hear about a good $800 truck.

 

here what i would do. drain all fluids and replace with cheep oil and water. start the motor and run it a bit. check fluids. still the same? water in the oil? pull plugs and do a compression test with a cool motor. theres a change the head gaskets were installed wrong causing the problem. if you think the heads need to come off there are ways to check for cracked heads and burnt valves. i'd pull the oil filter and empty on to a paper towel. look for small metal flakes, there shouldn't be any. if so most likely its your bearings. but possibly just need replacing. dont give up so easy and yes check the rest of the important things on the truck.

 

I'm planning on draining oil and filter and flushing it to see if its add8ng water to oil of if that was there before. Checking the oil filter is a good idea too thanks for that idea. Also, according to the seller he got it from an older lady as payment for some electrician work. This is the second head gasket job he did, but he never intended on keeping or running it so no fluid flush. This model also is a manual (transmission and 4wd system work) and has AC (i do need to get it running right to test if it works)

 

Also thanks for the warm welcome 🙏 imma try to get this truck working and if it survives the next year it might be getting a funny engine swap (I'm thinking coyote if I can get it to fit)

 

Love to see the financial considerations re fitting a hot engine into a 258K truck.
Not being negative here. It's a lot to do to what might be a crispy old relic.

 

Think you’re going to find a Coyote swap would be prohibitively expensive because it’s way different than a 302/5L, which size-wise is a fairly easy swap, with lots of swap parts available. You probably would want to put an 8.8 posi rear in as well: dang things are so light you’re going to have a tough time not spinning tires in any event!!
Would need the whole drive train as well.
Judgejohnmd