small-list-digest Saturday, November 14 1998 Volume 02 : Number 316



=======================================================================
Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer, Bronco 2 and Aerostar
Visit our web site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe, send email to:
majordomo ford-trucks.com
with the words "unsubscribe small-list-digest" in the body of the
message.
=======================================================================
In this issue:

Subject: FTE Small - manual locking hubs dial
FTE Small - Ranger 4 speed Auto Help Needed
Re: FTE Small - '91 Ranger spark plugs
Re: FTE Small - Ranger diesel
Re: FTE Small - Conversion from 2.9 to 4.0
FTE Small - re: Explorer Air Conditioning
Re: FTE Small - re: Explorer Air Conditioning
FTE Small - re: '91 Ranger spark plugs
Re: FTE Small - Ranger diesel
FTE Small - hot truck!
Re: FTE Small - hot truck!
RE: FTE Small - '91 Ranger spark plugs
Re: FTE Small - hot truck!
FTE Small - Clear Lens Covers
FTE Small - RE: Leaf Spring Recall
Re: FTE Small - Clear Lens Covers
FTE Small - 1998 EXPLORER DEFECTS
Re: FTE Small - Ranger diesel
Re: FTE Small - hot truck!
FTE Small - Bronco II
Re: FTE Small - hot truck!
Re: FTE Small - Ranger 4 speed Auto Help Needed
Re: FTE Small - Bronco II
FTE Small - 1991 2.3L main bearing replacement.

=======================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 12 Nov 98 07:09:40 EST
From: CharlesASkarsaune eaton.com
Subject: Subject: FTE Small - manual locking hubs dial

>i have an 88 bronco II . the plastic dial that locks in the 4 wheel drive
got
>chewed up on some guard rails this summer and i am wodering if there is a
>catch to replacing this part. my manual only has info on the hub and
bearings
>hub assembly. any help would be appreciated.

I've rebuilt the hubs on my 87 BII 2 or three times. Just be careful
taking them apart.
I got extra parts from a junkyard and new bearings from a bearing supply
house.
Good luck,
Chuck

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 09:55:10 EST
From: BowmanTK AOL.COM
Subject: FTE Small - Ranger 4 speed Auto Help Needed

Thanks for the tips.

We've taken the valve body out and it appears to be have been open before and
while I haven't seen one before, there are a few things that just don't look
correct. I'm arranging for it to be looked at by transmission specialist.
What's encouraging is that there are no metal fragments so mechanically the
tranny doesn't seem to be self destructing in that way.

BTW, in the Seattle area, a used tranny of this type is $600-700 and I've been
quoted $800-$1100 for a rebuild job. I only found 2 after calling 25 wrecking
yards and I've noted several other classified ads from persons trying to find
this model transmission.

Tim Bowman


== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 07:51:19 -0800 (PST)
From: Bill Ciocco
Subject: Re: FTE Small - '91 Ranger spark plugs

Go up through the wheel well to repace the plugs on a 91 Ranger.





_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 11:24:13 -0500
From: Jim Storch
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger diesel

jim bdserv.bytedesigns.com wrote:
>
> my first post here, so hope I'm not covering old ground ...
>
> bought an '85 diesel Ranger a year ago, and love it!
> 450,000Km (280,000Miles) and still chugging ...
> took it across the continent (Vancouver-St.John's)
> and back with a camper - 27mpg even into the wind :-)
>
> cleaning it up, and would like to know who made the
> engine (Kubota, perhaps?) ... dont' want to
> take it to "just anyone"
>
> thanks
> Jim Smith

You should get this thing registered on the High Mileage Ranger
Site - http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.ghg.net/sandmanx/ranger

JimS
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 12:28:30 -0500
From: Jim Storch
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Conversion from 2.9 to 4.0

Michael Mulcahy wrote:
>
> I have an '87 Bronco II that i want to drop a 4.0L into. I've heard the
> swap is easy and no major modifications are required. If anyone has any
> information or or knows where I could find some please let me know!
> Mike


Mike,

I would ask the guys over on the 2.9L message board called Kunz Korner
(http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.ford ranger. com/wwwboard3.html) about swapping for a 4.0L.
The consensus there seems to be that for the extra 15 or so HP you'll
gain does not make for a good HP/dollar ratio. They have a lot of good
ideas about squeezing extra ponies out of the engine you've already got
including port matching upper/lower intakes, ram air, larger throttle
body (which you probably already have), free floating rocker arm
assembly, headers, igniton upgrades and the list goes on.

If you still want to make the swap, talk to the people on the Bronco II
Forum message board (http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://4x44u.vmag.com/forum/b2-1097). Several
people there have experience in this area and the knowledge they've
learned will be invaluable to you.

JimS
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 12:02:50 -0800
From: Bob Scola
Subject: FTE Small - re: Explorer Air Conditioning

My '97 Explorer XLT has started doing the same thing. The problem started
maybe a month or so ago, but I haven't taken it in yet. I hear a noticable
click when it cycles & you can see the tach bounce slightly & return. This
started happening even in warm weather with the a/c on max, a time where I
wouldn't want it to cycle. As far as, "that what they should do"; then why
did mine not cycle for the first 16,000 miles?

Bob
Seattle, WA
'97 Explorer XLT SOHC


- -----------------------------------
From: RReed44450 AOL.COM
Subject: FTE Small - Explorer Air Conditioning

I have a '98 Explorer Sport and suspect that the air conditioning is not
functioning properly. I would very much appreciate any input on the
following
condition:

The air conditioner compressor cycles off about every 15-25 seconds. The
compressor clutch stays disengaged for about 10 seconds, then re-engages. I
took the truck to the Ford Dealer with a description of the problem and they
wrote "OAD operates as designed - vehicle's compressor is going to cycle off
and on!!!"
(Yes, they included the snotty exclamation points)

1. Can anyone tell me what the OAD is?
2. Can anyone tell me how their Explorers AC compressors act?

I had a '96 Ranger before the Explorer and the compressor ran all the time?
Thanks in advance for your comments and/or suggestions.

Russell
Orlando, FL
'98 Explorer Sport

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 13:04:04 -0800
From: Thom Cheney
Subject: Re: FTE Small - re: Explorer Air Conditioning

Bob Scola wrote:
>
> As far as, "that what they should do"; then why
> did mine not cycle for the first 16,000 miles?


Hmmm.... all the recent cars/trucks I have owned have done this...
Ch*vy, Toyota, Honda and Ford. Never gave me any trouble. I did wonder
about it at first, but since the vehicle remained cool and the a/c
seemed to function correctly otherwise, I thought it was probably a fuel
saving measure.
- --
Thom Cheney
Early Bronco Entertainment
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.EarlyBroncoEnt.com
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 98 17:42:22 EST
From: CONAN RALVM8.VNET.IBM.COM
Subject: FTE Small - re: '91 Ranger spark plugs

>>Ok, I'm not sure if only the 2.3L engine has this...but I

Try an '83 Ranger V6 with a/c... :-) :-)
Left side's not -tooo- bad; but, on the right...
#1 - change from underneath
#2 - change from up top
#3 - change through the wheel well, very carefully
Ed in NC :-) :-)
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 17:52:51 -0500
From: "Brian Cail"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger diesel

Jim,

I had a 1985 Ford Tempo. I believe it was the same engine. Mine was a 2.0
liter. It was made by Mazda which Ford owns a portion of.

And I agree it was a great engine. Here are a couple of suggestions to ke
in mind. First, keep your fuel filter drained of any water and change it
when recommended or keep a spare in the trunk. If you let it go to long the
bottom will rust out and leave you stranded in the middle of the winter at
10:00 at night when the temperature is -10F and there is a 30 mph wind.
Also, the governor has a shaft coming out the top with an arm on it. The
shaft is sealed with an o-ring. If it starts leaking, don't remove the arm
to replace the o-ring! When you pull off the arm the shaft spins to a new
position so that your engine will never run right until you replace the
governor/fuel distributor. OUCH!!!

Enjoy your diesel,

Brian Cail



== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 17:47:56 -0500
From: Michael Mulcahy
Subject: FTE Small - hot truck!

Hello, I have an 87 Bronco 2 that loves to get hot when it sits for more
than a few minutes! I added an electric fan (which stopped working for
some reason), but I want to fix this problem over Thanksgiving break, so I
only have about 3 days. Anyone know where I should start, and what may be
the most likely cause for my truck to get hot after only a few minutes?
p.s. the radiator cap is new and the fluid is full and is in good shape.
....Also... when I start the truck cold, it almost always bogs down and
then stalls out. if i keep it going, it will lope terribly from about 1500
down to 500 rpms for a minute or two, before it gets warm. Any ideas on
either problem? Much thanks in advance,
Mike
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 18:32:04 -0500
From: Garr&Pam
Subject: Re: FTE Small - hot truck!

Michael Mulcahy wrote:
>
> Hello, I have an 87 Bronco 2 that loves to get hot when it sits for more
> than a few minutes! I added an electric fan (which stopped working for
> some reason), but I want to fix this problem over Thanksgiving break, so I
> only have about 3 days. Anyone know where I should start, and what may be
> the most likely cause for my truck to get hot after only a few minutes?
> p.s. the radiator cap is new and the fluid is full and is in good shape.
> ....Also... when I start the truck cold, it almost always bogs down and
> then stalls out. if i keep it going, it will lope terribly from about 1500
> down to 500 rpms for a minute or two, before it gets warm. Any ideas on
> either problem? Much thanks in advance,
> Mike

Try taking a compression test? See how that goes!
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 20:20:09 -0500
From: "Dave Schultz"
Subject: RE: FTE Small - '91 Ranger spark plugs

I think we were talking about the 4 banger Rangers....

Through the wheel well might work if the engine was upside-down...
Hmmm I like that no more sludge in the oil pan clogging up that
tiny pickup screen.

:-)

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-small-list ford-trucks.com
[mailto:owner-small-list ford-trucks.com]On Behalf Of Bill Ciocco
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 1998 10:51 AM
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - '91 Ranger spark plugs


Go up through the wheel well to repace the plugs on a 91 Ranger.





_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 21:10:49 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - hot truck!

Michael Mulcahy wrote:
>
> Hello, I have an 87 Bronco 2 that loves to get hot when it sits for more
> than a few minutes!

I hope this ISNT the case, but the 2.9 is infamous for cracking heads at
#1 or #6. If you clean the engine THOUROUGHLY you might be able to see
the crack radiating up from the spark plug hole upwards towards the
rocker pedestal. World Parts (World Performance?) makes a heavy duty
head that wont do this as it's .100" thicker in the critical areas.

Tim Turner/Manic Mechanic
Custer Auto Repair
Wilmington NC
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 19:41:00 -0800
From: "Eric Siedentopf"
Subject: FTE Small - Clear Lens Covers

Does anyone know of a company that sells clear turn signal lens covers to
replace the front orange lenses on a '96 Ranger?

Thanks.

Eric


96 Ranger STX 4X4
93 Probe
66 Mustang




== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 21:49:45 -0600
From: "Randy Collins"
Subject: FTE Small - RE: Leaf Spring Recall

Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 19:28:50 -0600
> From: "peter lambert"
> Subject: FTE Small - Leaf Spring Recall.
>
> What exactly is the leaf spring recall about and does it affect my '97
> Ranger XLT?
>
> Peter
>
> "Keep the rubber side down"
> 1997 Ranger XLT
> 1986 Kawaski ZX1000R


I didn't know there was a recall. I have a 98 4x4 Off Road w/the 3.0L.
Anyone know if this will affect me?

ran

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 22:36:40 -0600
From: "Jim Karnes"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Clear Lens Covers

Lightnin Motorsports sells them. I have the fronts and rears coming as we
speak. Check out our Ranger site for updates.

Lightnin Motorsports -
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://members.aol.com/lightnrac/lightnin-motorsports.htm
Ranger Power Sports - http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.dhc.net/~booboy/rps.htm

Jim Karnes

- -----Original Message-----
From: Eric Siedentopf
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Thursday, November 12, 1998 9:49 PM
Subject: FTE Small - Clear Lens Covers


>Does anyone know of a company that sells clear turn signal lens covers to
>replace the front orange lenses on a '96 Ranger?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Eric
>
>
>96 Ranger STX 4X4
>93 Probe
>66 Mustang
>
>
>
>
>== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 01:06:51 EST
From: Tmrabin AOL.COM
Subject: FTE Small - 1998 EXPLORER DEFECTS

ALLL 1998 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PARK IT ON A HILL OF MORE THAN 20
DEGREES WITH THE FRONT POINTED DOWN, HAVE 10 OR LESS GALLONS OF GAS IN THE
TANK. WAIT 6 HOURS AND IT WILL NOT START. ROLL THE CAR TO LEVEL GROUND AND IT
STARTS. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ILL BET THE 99 HAVE THE SAME GAS TANK.
LET ALL YOUR FRIENDS KNOW.........
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 00:38:08 -0600 (CST)
From: Diana Slyter
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger diesel

I believe the Ranger's diesel was made by Mitsubushi. Sadly, no longer an
option for the U.S. market.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dianas __ __ ____ ___ ___ ____
dianas primenet.com /__)/__) / / / / /_ /\ / /_ /
/ / \ / / / / /__ / \/ /___ /-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 12 Nov 1998 jim bdserv.bytedesigns.com wrote:

> my first post here, so hope I'm not covering old ground ...
>
> bought an '85 diesel Ranger a year ago, and love it!
> 450,000Km (280,000Miles) and still chugging ...
> took it across the continent (Vancouver-St.John's)
> and back with a camper - 27mpg even into the wind :-)
>
> cleaning it up, and would like to know who made the
> engine (Kubota, perhaps?) ... dont' want to
> take it to "just anyone"
>
> thanks
> Jim Smith
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 08:33:01 -0500
From: Jim Storch
Subject: Re: FTE Small - hot truck!

Michael Mulcahy wrote:
>
> Hello, I have an 87 Bronco 2 that loves to get hot when it sits for more
> than a few minutes! I added an electric fan (which stopped working for
> some reason), but I want to fix this problem over Thanksgiving break, so I
> only have about 3 days. Anyone know where I should start, and what may be
> the most likely cause for my truck to get hot after only a few minutes?
> p.s. the radiator cap is new and the fluid is full and is in good shape.

Mike,

WARNING! Do not continue to run this engine in a hot condition. The
cardinal rule of the 2.9L V6 is to never allow them to overheat. What
Tim
Turner said about head cracking is correct. Overheating is the #1 cause
of
this condition.

You didn't mention whether you had flushed the cooling system or checked
the thermostat lately. New thermostats are cheap.

JimS
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 15:08:50 -0500
From: JTalbot broadwaytrading.com
Subject: FTE Small - Bronco II

I have a 88 Bronco II. I had a little crash, and got some front end damage. I need a replacement radator support. I have the factory radator, and air. I was told I would have to cut whats left of it off, and then weld a new one on. Is this true? Is
here any way to unbolt it. My Chiltons Manual says it bolts on. I can't really tell by looking at the assemably. Someone please help.

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 18:41:50 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - hot truck!

Jim Storch wrote:
>
> Michael Mulcahy wrote:
> >
> > Hello, I have an 87 Bronco 2 that loves to get hot when it sits for more
> > than a few minutes! I added an electric fan (which stopped working for

>
> Mike,
>
> WARNING! Do not continue to run this engine in a hot condition. The
> cardinal rule of the 2.9L V6 is to never allow them to overheat.

Or ANY engine containing aluminum! ;-)

> What
> Tim
> Turner said about head cracking is correct. Overheating is the #1 cause
> of
> this condition.

But they WILL do it without having been hot as well; just finished one
today that the owner swears was never over 1/2 the guage and the
internal condition of the engine led both us and the machine shop to
believe him.. In his truck the only complaint was excessive coolant
loss with no drips. (It was all going into the oil) We opted to
replace the one cracked head with the HP head from World rather than the
more expensive Ford part.

>
> You didn't mention whether you had flushed the cooling system or checked
> the thermostat lately. New thermostats are cheap.
>
> JimS

TT
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 20:01:52 -0600
From: mercury
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger 4 speed Auto Help Needed

BowmanTK AOL.COM wrote:
>
> My son just purchased a '87 Ranger pickup with the 4 speed automatic trans.
> The trans is constantly in forward gear (yes even in park). I pulled the
> transmission pan and the fluid was darker than motor oil to the point of being
> sludgy. I blew out the cooler lines and was unable to drain the converter.
> We cleaned the pan. I refilled the tranny with clean fluid but the symptoms
> still remain. I suspect that the valve body is stuck with all of the sludge.
> My questions are: Can (Should) I remove the valve body with the tranny in the
> truck and then clean it out and have any possiblity of avoiding a full
> teardown? Would any later years of Mustang or other FOMOCO automatic 4 speed
> overdrive fit? The truck has 134k on it.
>
> Or should I just visit our friendly wrecking yard and get a new tranny/torque
> converter? It's probably less work.
>
> Tim Bowman
> '71 Sport Custom & many other FOMOCO's
>
> PS: The price was definately right on this truck as the seller and the buyer
> knew of the transmission condition.
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

If your option is to swap a complete tranny or try and clean up that
one, I'd go with the clean up first,and then hit the scrap yards for a
new tranny,may save a few bucks if the clean up works out,and you aren't
out a whole lot if it doesn't work.

merc
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 00:07:25 -0700
From: "Douglas Crann"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Bronco II

time to fire up the welder
- -----Original Message-----
From: JTalbot broadwaytrading.com
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Friday, November 13, 1998 1:05 PM
Subject: FTE Small - Bronco II


>
>I have a 88 Bronco II. I had a little crash, and got some front end
damage. I need a replacement radator support. I have the factory radator,
and air. I was told I would have to cut whats left of it off, and then weld
a new one on. Is this true? Is
>here any way to unbolt it. My Chiltons Manual says it bolts on. I can't
really tell by looking at the assemably. Someone please help.
>
>== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 09:50:21 -0500
From: "Dave Schultz"
Subject: FTE Small - 1991 2.3L main bearing replacement.

Hello again...

After an 800 mile trip me 2.3 with leaking rear main seal has undercoated
my truck for me. :-) I am leaking about 1 quart every 400 miles. I....

---

To access the rest of this feature you must be a logged in Registered User Of Ford Truck Enthusiasts

Registration is free, easy and gives you access to more features.
If you are not registered, click here to register.
If you are already registered, you can login here.

If you are already logged in and are seeing this message, your web browser is blocking session cookies. Change your browser cookie settings to allow session cookies.