2.9l rebuild and cooling sytem questions

bert0427 · Jul 6, 2014

I have a 86 ranger I am rebuilding the engine (2.9l) I am hoping to put an electrical cooling fan and I was hoping some one could help guide me in the right direction.. I am all ears about the rebuild and also cooling system tips bc I don't want my heads to crack, like I keep hearing, when I get it back together. any advice would be great

RonD · Jul 6, 2014

The '86, '87 and '88 2.9l heads were the ones that cracked easily, might be best to find a set from an '89 -'92 2.9l, they had a new design that was less prone to cracking.
But any head can crack if overheat, I did my 4.0l, NEVER EVER try to "just make it home", pull over and wait, "time is money" and in this case the longer you wait(for it to cool off) the more money you will have in your pocket

Good read here on the 2.9l engines: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.shtml

Rebuild will be pretty generic, no real surprises, for sure change the cam bearings

sjr53 · Jul 7, 2014

Make sure to disassemble the rocker arms and clean out the shafts. They get plugged up. If you remove the end caps of the shafts, a 9/16" plug is the size needed the replace those you need to drill to remove.

bert0427 · Jul 8, 2014

That was awesome information on that page thanks RonD I was hoping to also help cooling with an electric fan what your input on that?

bert0427 · Jul 8, 2014

SJR53 ... when cleaning the rocker assembly should I replace any of the parts also I was going to relace the cam and lifters but was hoping to use the same push rods and rocker arms... thanks for any advise

RonD · Jul 8, 2014

Electric fan is a good option.

Up at the top of any page here is the Blue Banner
Home.........Discussion Forum........Tech Articles <<<CLICK ON THIS ONE

There is a wealth of information in that section from members that have "been there done that"

These are from the "Cooling & Heating" section
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Summer2003/ElectricFanInstall.htm

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/volvo_electric_fan.shtml

sjr53 · Jul 9, 2014

I didn't replace anything on mine, but flipped the slightly damaged shaft upside down to put the pressure on the still smooth side of the shaft. The Ford repair manual said there was a difference and put the notch on the shaft end downward, but there was no notch and there was no difference in the holes in the shaft by turning it over. There must be a different shaft that had different holes from top to bottom. The rockers do have 2 holes that aren't in line with each other.

Also note that the center rocker pedestal isn't dead center so it is possible to assemble it wrong and have to take it all apart and redo it. The pedestals bottoms are not symmetrical so watch which way to slide those back on also. I don't know if it matters, but there is a difference on how they are shaped.

drsvox · Jul 9, 2014

sjr53 said:
Also note that the center rocker pedestal isn't dead center so it is possible to assemble it wrong and have to take it all apart and redo it.

I have been there and done that...

If you don't replace any of the rods, lifters, or rockers, be sure you label where you took them from (I use numbered ziplock bags) so you can put them back in exactly the right place.

[edit] and that said, if you put a new cam in, I would def put a new set of lifters in. that's what I did on my 2.8: new cam and lifters, but not new push rods and rocker assemblies.

2.9l rebuild and cooling sytem questions

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