Hi Guys, I don't have much time for research, cause I have a chance to buy one tomorrow morning. It is a very clean supercab, new tires, and has a shell. Could someone tell me if it would be the SOHC or the pushrod engine? I have read to stay away form the pushrod engine cause of oil starvation at the upper end. I was going to offer $3K for it with the condition that he let me drive it all day and I will decide at 5 PM. He claims it's a good runner. Any advice much appreciated regarding reliability and experience. Should I run or should I grab it?

 

The 98 4.0L is a pushrod engine & nothing wrong with its design. It'll work real good & last a long time if maintained with fluids & parts as specified by Ford. Maybe the top end oiling problem you've heard about was on the 3.0L Vulcan rockers, or its cam sensor/sync bearing lube problems.????

 

while ive heard of the 2.9/4.0 ohv engines having a ticking noise due to high miles, worn rockers, mine is at 165,000 and makes no ticking sounds, even the ones ive heard about ticking still run ok. id personally rather have the ohv, givin what ive read about the timing chain issues of the ohc, sure the "newer" ohc makes more horsepower, but at a higher rpm. the only issue ive ever had with my 4.0 was a failed fuel-rail gasket, the vacuum leak made it idle high but it was a easy fix.

 

Thank you guys. I told the guy I would give him 3K for it if he let me drive it all day and I liked it. He was up front about the issues he new of, one of which is the front disc brakes grab badly when cold. I took it home and put it on the lift. I see it needs new ball joints; no big deal, and neither the trans or engine leaks a drop of oil. One cylinder misses for a few seconds when cold, but on the highway it feels rock solid and a good runner. I kinda felt it was taken good care of cause the original owner put in a spray in bedliner. I figure if someone cares that much they would probably also be changing the oil. That front brake grab is serious though; like it wants to just lock up the fronts as soon as you tap it. I suppose I'll be taking a big trip through brakeland lol. I have other Fords but this is my first Ranger. In my gut I feel it's a good truck if I can straighten out a few issues. Thanks for responding.

 

That miss when cold could come from a wet plug if the head is cracked. A close (magnifying glass) examination of the plugs will tell you if that's the case. Look for tiny drops of water.

Or it could be as simple as a bad plug wire. I just suggest the wet plug theory because it happened to me on my '91.

 

Be sure to visit this forums "Tech Info" thread, as it offers up good wrench turning info. EDIT: Its located atop this forums index page.
On the miss, scan the computer for trouble codes & post All code Numbers found, as they can offer up good trouble shooting clues. On replacing the 4X2 ball joints, scroll down to the bottom of the Tech Info page to find a thread with a very good link with pictures & helpful info on changing the ball joints & let us know how your trouble shoot goes.

 

thanks again and I will take you guys advice. Regarding a scanner for codes, what do you guys feel is a good one for the money? what do you use?

 

Maybe consider this big bang for the buck https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-scantool.html & use FORScan freeware to scan your ride. It costs less than a code reader, but is Way more powerful than most over the counter scantools.

 

ty PawPaw for your help will do