Well, after running the truck with a rough idle, missing in more than one cylinder, check engine light on, and poor fuel mileage, I finally pulled the heads at 120K mi. It took 3 hours to get down to the short block and the heads on each side were cracked......imagine that!!! LOL. Of course, the cracks were in the weak spot between the valves on three of the cylinders. Bought NEW heads from Odessa cylinders. Couldn't be happier with the price at $410/pr and the service was very good. From paying to getting them at the house....4 days across the country. I bought a Fel Pro upper gasket kit $60 (eBay), some anti- seize, black RTV, and miscellaneous parts that I would replace since the front of the engine was apart and those parts hadn't ever been touched. So, long story short, 12 hours total time from before to after .Truck runs better than when i got it 12 years ago with 27K mi on the ODO. For those of you who might be doubting yourselves on doing this fix, get a Haynes manual and it is a great tool.
I mentioned I replaced some other parts. Those parts were:
water pump
belt
hoses (all)
plugs
coil pack
wires
coolant
fan clutch
air filter (after market)
misc. gaskets

Things cleaned because they were taken apart anyways:
Throttle body (very dirty!)
intake
MAF sensor
injectors

I want to thank everyone for all the great info on this forum. You guys kick butt and I will try to answer whatever I can, if needed. I would like to get a bigger truck (F350) as I pull a camper and will be getting a bigger one in the future, but, I love my Ranger and it does everything I ask. Before the head change, the only thing I have had to replace in 120K mi has been the alternator. I change the oil and filter at 5K intervals with just regular oil.....nothing special.

Like a dummy, I didn't take any pictures, DUH!!! Sorry about that, but you guys have seen cracked heads and engine blocks before.

__________________
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4 dr 4x4 automatic 4.0L, 122K mi as of 3/13.

Congrats, I need a new head on my 2.5.

Sent from my ADR6350 using FRF App

__________________
1999 Ford Ranger EXT Cab 3.0 4x4|Toreador Red|Fog lights in grill|K&N Drop In Filter|Throttle Body Spacer|2.5 Inch Dynomax Turbo SS Exhaust Cat-Back|Pro Comp 15x8 Rims|31x10.5 Pro Comp Tires|Clear Black Tails|Clear Front Signals|OHC Install|Explorer Center Console|Bucket Seats|

1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4 Banger 5 Speed|Full Tune Up|2/3 IN Drop|Front And Rear Light Tint|Konig Tremor 17X8 Rims|Thrush Turbo Muffler|DJM Calmax Shocks|Coil Pack Mod|03 Front End Conversion|8000k Hids

Even easier on the 2.3L. Go for it. there is a lot of help here for you, if you run into a problem. You'll save a lot of money, also, as you already know.

__________________
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4 dr 4x4 automatic 4.0L, 122K mi as of 3/13.

---------------------------------------------
Good job dude im plannin on doin heads on a rebuilt short block soon too, also from odessa. My question is did the heads only come with valves, springs, seats, and lifters? No rocker arms or pushrods?

Sent from my iPhone using FRF App, working and makin money for truck mods

__________________
1992 4.0L v6 ohv 4*4 supercab
*new GY wranglers 235/75/r15*new bumper and frame supports*rubberized interior floor* took off sway bars* bedlinered mirrors* new painted interior*aftermarket fog lights* polished lights* new motor and clutch for the 92* and trying to find a 93to 04 newer ranger to have 2 4wd's as im moving to the snow soon

Way to grab the bull by the horns...Great Job!

__________________
List Of Mods

My Albums

OL'Blackie Movie

Dec.2013 TOTM

Actually what year is your truck and what motor. U have no pics or signature

Sent from my iPhone using FRF App, working and makin money for truck mods

__________________
1992 4.0L v6 ohv 4*4 supercab
*new GY wranglers 235/75/r15*new bumper and frame supports*rubberized interior floor* took off sway bars* bedlinered mirrors* new painted interior*aftermarket fog lights* polished lights* new motor and clutch for the 92* and trying to find a 93to 04 newer ranger to have 2 4wd's as im moving to the snow soon

Tadpole,
You are correct, valves, seals, springs, but no rockers, or push rods. I re-used my rocker assembly and push rods, as they were in great condition. The service from Odessa was second to none. Good luck with everything my friend.

----------

Updated signature, sorry about that. I will try to post a picture of the truck next week, as I will be out of town til Tuesday. Heading to Death Valley on the m/c.

__________________
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4 dr 4x4 automatic 4.0L, 122K mi as of 3/13.

If you want rockers and push rods you want Delta Cam. Great company it's what I have installed in mine.

----------

If anyone needs pics.

Project Thread - Rebuilding 4.0L OHV

__________________

-------------------------------------------------------------
ok great thank you. ive now heard 3 diff people say awesome things about odessa. thanks you for the info. ill have to get it goin soon

----------

-------------------------------------------------------------
i will deff 100% need new pushrods at the least and new rockers. im gonna check this site out now thank you

__________________
1992 4.0L v6 ohv 4*4 supercab
*new GY wranglers 235/75/r15*new bumper and frame supports*rubberized interior floor* took off sway bars* bedlinered mirrors* new painted interior*aftermarket fog lights* polished lights* new motor and clutch for the 92* and trying to find a 93to 04 newer ranger to have 2 4wd's as im moving to the snow soon