First post! Yay!

So i have a 1987 Ford Ranger 2.3L 2WD, and A4lD transmission. Ever since iv owned it, it has ran like an old dog. It had a rough idle; ex, truck would stall when slow acceleration, like in parking lot. Well yesterday the truck all of a sudden started revving up. It would squeal the tires when changing from neutral to 1st, all acceleration could be done by just letting it coast. Gained speed up to 40mph with no foot on the gas. It ran like this for over 5miles. I assumed something like the choke was stuck on. After letting it sit for an hour, i tried to start it and it would just turn over for 5 seconds and fail. It did this repeatedly until i gave up. Now fast forward to today and the battery is a bit weaker and it wont even kick over. And there is a small puddle of coolant leaking from front of block, havent pin pointed exactly where.

So far i have looked for any vacuum hoses disconnected, to no avail, turned engine over by hand, also checked IAC valve with ohm tester think its running too high, 17ohms. What im going to be doing next is, check compression, and charge batter, maybe spray carb cleaner into throttle body.. Any advice on what to do next? please help!!??

Threw charger on it, it turns over good but wont start up.. Checked spark plugs and there is spark. Gas is getting to spark plugs also.. Whats my next step? Im thinking find another IAC valve and switch it out? Maybe new injectors?

timing belt?

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

Timing belt is fine. broke down and brought it to a shop. Fuel pressure regulator is pouring too much gas in when trying to start. So will be replacing that. And do other tune up procedures like oil change and spark plugs.

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1987 Ford Ranger 2WD
Stock 2.3L and A4LD
90,000 mi and more to come

Still not running.. It turns over fast, yet wont kick over and start.. IAC will need to be replaced because i think thats the reason for the high idle pre break down.. But how come it wont start now..

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1987 Ford Ranger 2WD
Stock 2.3L and A4LD
90,000 mi and more to come

turning over fast is a sign of a broken timing belt because the cam is not turning.......the timing belt is not the serpentine or regular belts(not sure what a 87 has for belts)

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I did a full rotation of the crankshaft and looking through the peek hole at the timing belt, it looks fine.. I couldnt ever find the O on the cam sprocket or the belt tho..

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1987 Ford Ranger 2WD
Stock 2.3L and A4LD
90,000 mi and more to come

I dont know what you are saying. did you take the timing belt cover off and is the timing belt there and not broken?........yes or no

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I replaced the starter on it and now it starts up no problem. BUT, I think the starter sounds like its spinning the whole time while engine is running.. I disconnect the power to it and the solenoid, yet still hear a loud grinding noise coming from bellhousing/starter area.

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1987 Ford Ranger 2WD
Stock 2.3L and A4LD
90,000 mi and more to come

It definitely was the starter spinning still. I pulled it out and the gear is cut down on the edges.. Wasnt proper fitting without shims, thanks DB Electrical..

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1987 Ford Ranger 2WD
Stock 2.3L and A4LD
90,000 mi and more to come