'88 Ranger 2.9L V6 starts and runs but shuddering. Most noticeable when shifting and revving the engine. Will a dead cylinder cause this? How do I check?

 

Yes it will, with it at idle, pull the plug wires off one at a time and see if it makes a difference in how it runs. The one that makes no difference is the bad one. It could be a bad plug wire or plug, burnt valve, bent pushrod or bad dist cap or injector.

 

Be prepared for a "shock".