So I bought this ranger that had no power..I did a combustion check and found cyl 2 and 3 had 15 psi...took out the head and found the head gasket is gone...also noticed a chip on cyl 2. I am trying to see if I can get away with this chip and if by putting everything back with a new gasket will the chip do any thing?? I have no money so trying to find the best and easiest way out without spending alot of money. Pics are saved as attachments..

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Can't see the pictures. "PLease update your account ... blah blah blah for 3rd party hosting" ... go to photobuket/p500

Nope. Not gonna go.
tom

Added pictures correctly...

Were it mine, I would at least find a used piston. Exposing the topmost ring directly to combustion chamber activity is not a recipe for longevity.
The cylinder wall shows streaks in the image.. Are they scratches or discoloration?
#1 cylinder looks rusty at the top, above the top ring travel point. Is it nasty or just discolored?
What do you plan to do with this truck? Keep long term? Sell? Drive on the farm/back roads or trips to/from Alaska? If local, you can put it back together and it'll last a while, but I can't say how long. If you get a used piston, and just replace the piston, using the same old rings, it would likely last longer.
It is not chipped, it is burned from pinging/detonation/gas from the other cylinder/???, and it is abnormal.
You might find another short block that would be in better condition for small dollar spend. I've seen complete engines for $300 that were supposed to run good.(well? grammar sez) Do they? Dunno.
Just replacing the head gasket after determining the block & head are flat using a steel straightedge would last a while, and surely run better.
As has been said before, "It all depends..."
tom

Well that's good info...thanks Much..I plan on driving it for another two or three years...maybe I might get another piston..when I inspected the walls were smooth and didn't find anything ubnormal

Makes no sense to get a used piston when a new one is $20.

ati:Makes no sense to get a used piston when a new one is $20.


Quote the OP:
I have no money so trying to find the best and easiest way out without spending alot of money.

Well, it does in some situations. It also allows you to make sure the piston you get matches the others in case there is any sort of weight difference, ring difference, etc.
Personally, I find it uncomfortable to tell others how to spend their own money, so I try to avoid telling people what to do, and offer alternatives.
tom

Where is OP going find a used one for less than $20? No junk yard will take apart an engine for just one piston. I looked on Ebay just for the hell of it and no 2.5L pistons listed. A few 2.3L for $35 with shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/PISTON-1-AS...ZZ3qIH&vxp=mtr And if OP doesn't have $20 to spend on the engine, maybe a bus pass would be more appropriate.

So, as you have found, the $20 piston you noted is not available. Hmm. As far as a boneyard disassembling an engine, you may have to search for a boneyard that has some engines that have been partially disassembled already, such as missing cylinder head, and pick from there.
If pistons were that cheap, might be a better choice, no question, but the poster indicated serious lack of funds. Depending in location, there may be several out in the field that have been sitting for years or by the side of the road. I don't know.
tom

Sure it's available. $18. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ne,piston,5620 How much in gas will op spend to drive around to junkyards not to mention the cost of his time.

At that price, it sure makes sense. My mental pricer had pistons at above $40 each for new, and I've never seen pistons that cheap. Why didn't you post that link before? Wold have been a help, I think, to the OP.
tom

Thank you so much..had not thought of this...Yea $20 is very manageable...thought it would cost over $100.. I'm guessing the size is standard right??

Yea, the set of new rings will cost more than that unless you can find someone selling them for one piston.

Rock has a set for less than $25. Unless a full set is going to be installed, I'd use the old rings and do NOTHING to the cylinder wall. If the cylinder is damaged, it will be what it is, and if undamaged, the old rings should work as well in the new piston as they did before.
Given the problem was a bad head gasket, it might be that the rings are fine. Not perfect, but totally usable.
I have not looked for more parts, but would not add any more unless I was going to go a lot deeper into the repair. I'd do a 'minimal' right now to get back function, head gasket, head bolts, a new piston, and PBT. Possibly plan on more significant work later as funds allow. Just my opining.
tom