I know I'll probably get flak for this response, but I have an 89 Ranger still driving onward and strong....never pings unless I use low octane gas....now some have argued well there's something wrong with it if you have to use higher than 87 octane....well its been going since 1989 this way and I haven't spent money replacing all the stuff being suggested for change here...the few pennies more for a higher octane gas is cheaper than all the stuff being suggested changed here...something to consider....try a higher octane gas and see if that changes things....

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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project

I somewhat agree with you. If I run 89 or better the Ping disappears. And, I do feel it runs better and stronger with better fuel.

My aunts Taurus with the 3.0 Vulcan has close to 200 k and has been taken care of professional since the start. Bout 100k it developed a ping. Since that point she's ran 89 Or better. No other issues to speak of.

But in the end, seafoam is $7.99 a can. So it's worth a shot

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

.....the original owners guide that came with my 89 Ranger (pg 185) says specifically to use a higher octane gas if using 87 pings. It says quote, "You may notice ocassional light spark knock when accelerating or driving up hills. This should not cause concern because the maximum fuel economy is obtained under conditions of ocassional light spark knock. Gasoline with anti-knock index rating higher than 87 MAY BE USED for proper operation." --This is after after 2 paragraphs of explaining the "anti-knock index" for 87 gas....

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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project

I have done the Seafoam thing...twice. Checked coil pack and all other things suggested to no avail. However when late spring came around I installed a 180 degree thermostat and have not had anymore pinging using 87 octane gas. Even through all the 100 degree days we had back in June and July. No performance problems either. Works for me.

Gonna give that a whirl.

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Yup . Some people like Fireranger say that using premium is just a workaround that masks the real problem... to that I say, some workarounds are completely worth it and not doing the workaround can make life 1000x harder. Here we have a guy who has been using the higher octane workaround on his truck for over 20 years now, so who's to say that he's doing it wrong?
I only get spark knock when driving up the mountains and usually don't get it just driving around town. So for around town I'll stick with 87 but on trips with uphill runs, getting higher octane gas for the trip is great cheap insurance.

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'98 Ford Anger Level IIwd 4.0 manual single cab w/4.10

Throwing in a low temp 180 degree thermostat today. See if that helps at all. What's the normal temp on these?

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

Do you have a part number for the 180 thermosts?

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2002 Ranger XLT Super cab, 3.0L 31x10.5 50R15's
Running boards, bed liner, Tonneau cover, big tires

No I don't. I tossed the box and garbage came this AM, and the receipt just says " thermostat ". I got it from napa

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

ware did you buy your gas try another brand big differant in gasesmake a big change in my 96 2.3

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2007 XLT Super cab 126"wb,Dark Shadow Grey C/C Metalic,Int med dark flint leather, ,auto 5sp od , 4.0l shoc V6,255/70/16 Power Dome Hood.Chrome Nostril bar Grill,Solar Tint Glass,Cargo Box Tie Downs,4.10 L S Axle,Class III tow Pkg,TPM sys.Speed control/tilt,Leather wrap steering whee land Bucket seats/consel,Rear camera,power equiment package w/remot locks,Bright step bar,In Dash6=CD playe rChrome mirrorsW/Skl Cp Rear jump seats,Shift on thr fly4x4 sys,front tow hooks w fog lamps,5140gvw

Where, did you go to school? They need to fire the whole English dept... Lmao jk

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

I couldn't tell whether mine was a spark knock or a rod knock, but my 01' 3.0 died either way. replacing the bottom end over the next couple weeks.. but that is all in a different post I put up this morning.

Through my own efforts and research, I have heard of people going the coil pack route, seafoam and a number of other things, but I have not heard of swapping in a 180* low temp thermostat.

Any updates on that, did it work?

Anything I should prep for when throwing the block back together?

It's in and running good. Ping seems to have almost completely disappeared. Runs a tad cooler. With that being said - it has also dropped 10-15 degrees weather wise as well in my area. I have also been running 89oct. Seems to have done the trick. I'm still sea foaming in about 800 miles when my oil change is do.

I've never rebuilt an engine. But as for the 3.0. Do the head gaskets and the intake manifold gasket for sure. While you are in there.

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Yep, definitely replacing all the gaskets for everything that comes apart requiring one. I heard that there is a small part or rod of sorts in the head that is easily damaged and also a culprit for cause ticking sounds. Wish I knew what the name it was so someone could tell me how to check for it while I have the motor out.

You mean: (TSB)= Technical Service Bulletin

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Mine just started pinging a few days ago. I am going to buy and put in some octane booster and see if that works. If not I'll do more seafoam in the gas tank, and I am looking into getting a new coil pack since I have had a slight miss in my engine ever since I bought it. Not a big one just can feel the jump(or miss) when I'm idling. I just want to get better gas milage since prices are on the rise again here in Everett (seattle area).

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Heres something from another forum online I found. It may work, I remember my dad doing this to his cars and trucks and I think he did it for the same reasons, Post is as follows and I only post this as a suggestion not a definate answer to stop pinging
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"I had a similar problem in my Courier (remember them?) Pick up, and my nephew had it in his '94 Ranger. Turned out the noise was caused by carbon chunks built up on the piston tops, etc. The cure: a VERY little bit of water induced into the air intake. It will go into the cylinders cause steam which will dislodge the carbon, and problem gone!! For a long time! I paid the Ford dealer to cure mine, but when the mechanic came back in about 15 minutes with my truck fixed I asked what he did, and he told me: Open up the air intake, at the carb top or in your case, the throttle body by removing the air intake hose. With a squirt /spray bottle, with the engine running at,, about 1500 -2000 rpm, squirt a little water into the throttle body air inlet. Just a little bit, say 1/2 squirt. wait a little for the rpm to stabilize, and repeat, 2-3 times. Use only about a teaspoon or less, TOTAL, of water. We did it to my Nephew's Ranger, and fixed it for free

Naturally, if you blow up your engine, it's all your fault, and I claim no responsibility. I just told you what I did, I didn't tell you to do it too

Good luck

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2005 Ranger FX4 Off Road Bridgestone's 255/70/16
Leer Canopy 8.8" Posi rear end,Flow Master Super 44
Plasti Dip grill, bumpers & Wheels, Air Box Mod, Throttle cable mod,Removed Mudflaps & rear seats 100 Watt Driving Lights, night shade tails Red LED dash lights, new LED dome light, blinker mod Black on Black Trim by choice