GCEXTREME'S 98 Ranger Project

gcextreme · #1 09-19-2012, 08:13 AM

Ok last fall I picked up a 1998 Ranger, white, ext. cab 4x4, 3.0L auto, for only $500. It has some body damage, hood, driver side door, rear bed quarter panel.
The engine isn't running, was told it has a bad cylinder/valve or something.
It idles bad, and seems to be backfiring thru the air intake?!
Anyway, I picked up a 3.0 engine and transmission with transfercase for $400. But it's from a 97 Ranger. The engine block should work, as well as the transmission and t-case.
The new motor/tranny has about 117k. The truck was hit hard from the side at the cab and totaled, so the owner was parting out stuff.

First things first. The engine that is going to go in, I need to get it on the engine stand and start taking all the crap off the block, and maybe replace some gaskets?
How do I remove the flywheel thing to mount on the engine stand, lol?
Also what else should I go thru and replace on this motor before I stick it in? (motor and transmission)

I want to get it all ready, work on it thru the winter, then come spring, pull out the old engine and tranny from the truck and stuck in this one.

There are pics in my gallery in the links in my signature.

gcextreme · #2 10-07-2012, 03:47 PM

Ok guys,
I got the engine up on the engine stand... started taking some of the crap off.
Going to get a propane heater for the garage so this winter i can work out in it and keep somewhat warm.

Anybody have some advice on what i need to replace, fix, or check on this motor, before i put it into the truck this spring?
I was told this motor did run, has like 117K on it.
I just want to know what i should go ahead and replace and check before i swap it in.

Im going to be taking all the crap off this block, and then pulling the motor out of the ranger, and putting the stuff from that block onto this block.

Thanks

I will get pics up soon.

Pietato · #3 10-07-2012, 05:00 PM

Cam Position sensor could be replaced. If it never has been it would be a good thing to do. And not expensive if I recall

Is the wiring and everything the same from 97? I want to say something is different

gcextreme · #4 10-07-2012, 05:12 PM

All the wiring on the 97 is cut, im using all the wiring from the 98. Just using the block from the 97.

Baller · #5 10-08-2012, 02:06 PM

Pics now!

gcextreme · #6 10-08-2012, 02:58 PM

I will post up pics when I get back home, can't do it with my phone, and I am out of town for work right now for a few days.

Baller · #7 10-13-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcextreme

I will post up pics when I get back home, can't do it with my phone, and I am out of town for work right now for a few days.

Home yet?

gcextreme · #8 10-13-2012, 09:54 PM

Ok im home... we had our MN meet today.
here for pics of that:
http://www.gcextreme.com/FordRanger/...eets/Oct_2012/

Ok so now for pics of the 3.0L on the engine stand:

Heres a good shot of the camshaft synchronizer, lol.

grimm91 · #9 10-16-2012, 08:09 AM

Basically what u wanna do is take everything off all the way down even the heads. Check the pistons and valves. Then buy ALL new gaskets. I just bought mine for my 99 and only cost $200 for everything. Ur going to want to use everything off of the 98 minus the heads and block of course. Also since ur taking it apart replace timing. That is one thing I can't help with cuz I am trying to figure it out on my 3.0. Make sure to torque everything to spec.

gcextreme · #10 10-16-2012, 09:10 AM

Thanks man...
I appreciate all the help I can get.
If during your rebuild, u come across anything I need to watch out for, let me know.

I had one guy telling me not to replace the head gasket, cuz I would need to take the engine in and have the head put back on professionally to make sure it's square? Does that make sense?
I dont want to have to load this engine back into the bed of my truck and do all that lifting again.

Also, I was given another 98 3.0L block, was told it has a bad bearing??
Its missing a valve cover, but it's a good solid block with the rest of the stuff..i figure I can tear into that for fun and learning. But not sure if there's anything worth saving or reusing on it... Right now it's just sitting on a tire under my work bench.

Im going to start tearing stuff of the 97 block soon, already stole the alternator off it to put onto my 99, lol.
May pull the cam sync and see if that is good. It should be the same part from 97, 98, 99 right?

I've never done a project like this, I've done atvs and motorcycles, but never a big auto engine.

grimm91 · #11 10-16-2012, 09:27 AM

Usually u just take the heads in to be checked and if they r warped then take the block lol. But u don't have to do head gaskets lol and I believe that part is the same not to sure tho. Would be best to check the part numbers lol. And that other block can be a learning tool and after that a part of scrap lol. And make sure if ur scraping put everything in separate groups

gcextreme · #12 10-31-2012, 06:35 PM

Ok heres a few pics of the white Ranger..

Damage to the Hood.

Damage to the driver side.

Damage to the Rear driver side box quarter panel.

Right now its sitting on explorer rims and 31 BFGs.. these are the ones that were once on my red 99 Ranger...
the stock tires/rims that where on this truck, were pretty crappy, i took them off and put them in the garage...trying to sell them...well mostly the rims..

Once i get this truck running...it will be mostly a winter beater (may stick a plow on it)... so i can save wear and tear on my 99 red ranger...

the green topper, i bought before i got this white truck... i bought it for my red truck and was going to paint it red to match.. but i found a nicer red matching fiberglass topper so cheap, cheaper than what it would have cost to paint the green one...

MossyOakD · #13 10-31-2012, 06:41 PM

Will be following this build. Looks like you have a pretty solid starting point. Don't ask for my help with engine rebuilding, I have never attempted it yet, but plan to learn

gcextreme · #14 10-31-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MossyOakD

Will be following this build. Looks like you have a pretty solid starting point. Don't ask for my help with engine rebuilding, I have never attempted it yet, but plan to learn

Im in the same boat...never worked on an engine build like this..

the engine i got, is from a 1997 ranger... it runs, but i am going to go thru it and replace what may need replacing, then take out the motor from the 98 white one, and put in the 97 motor...
and then later i can maybe rebuild the 98 motor... always good to have a spare motor...and transmission, lol.

MossyOakD · #15 10-31-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcextreme

Im in the same boat...never worked on an engine build like this..

the engine i got, is from a 1997 ranger... it runs, but i am going to go thru it and replace what may need replacing, then take out the motor from the 98 white one, and put in the 97 motor...
and then later i can maybe rebuild the 98 motor... always good to have a spare motor...and transmission, lol.

Definitely. That trucks body isn't in that bad of shape either. You plan on fixing the body too, or just leave it the way it is?