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I have a '90 Bronco II w/ the 2.9L V6 with a head/gasket issue leak. Its burning oil/coolant in #3 cylinder drivers side. I would ask this in the B2 section, but the Ranger section seems to have alot more activity.
I'm wondering what my options are. I'd like to replace the head with a better aftermarket design if possible. I've seen World Products mentioned as a good replacement, but they are no longer making them anymore. Nearest I cant tell, that leaves King and Odessa aka Clearwater heads. On the 'bay Odessa doesn't have the greatest feedback. King looks like a good product, but kinda spendy also. Short of those two, re-man is the only other option.
The casting # on my head doesn't line up either, is the 86TM the better Euro head for the Merkur?
If I keep this engine, w/o doing a 4.0L conversion, I'm tempted to replace both cylinder heads because of the amount of work to tear it down to that point.
This motor has had some valve ticking also, but I've read it can be injectors instead.
What should I do? This will only be used as an off highway light trail rig.
Since it is a 90 (and I could be wrong here) it should have the upgraded heads on it right now. From there I would want to find out if I had an actual head or just a head gasket problem. I've seen some NOS World Products heads for sale, but they seemed pricey compared to when they were being manufactured. Might be time to do a tear down and see what you have first?
Ticking can definitely be the injectors. The fuel management system on the 2.9s fires 2 injectors at a time, that might be one reason they are louder than others.
I would rather rebuild the 2.9 than go with a 4.0, just from a fuel economy standpoint, unless others have had more success than what stock 4.0s seem to get. My 89 Ranger used to get 24 mpg with the 2.9, auto, 4wd.
I did some heavy cleaning, and it turns out the head is in fact cracked on the drivers side rear cylinder (#6 I think). Researching your right the heads were updated in '89. Even the 4.0L have some head cracking issues, so it's not exempt. So I think I'll try and fix this 2.9L.
I think they used to weld those up, but I bet you can find a good reman somewhere. I'm crossing my fingers that my heads don't crack at some point, if they do, then some type of odd engine swap might happen.
Are you going to do a full rebuild of the engine or just the top end? I've been dreading doing a full on mine, but the fuel economy and power are definitely slipping the past year. Of course with 285k on the odometer and the only major repair the truck ever had was a transmission rebuild at 260k, I've gotten my money's worth.
I had my dad look at the pictures, and he said it was definitely something that could be fixed. He used to use a shop here in Georgia that did excellent work, and I'm trying to find their number for you, but there should be a shop in your area that could do it, too.
Thanks guys. I'm torn whether to rob the head off the '88 or pony up some cash for a new one. I'm the kinda guy that hates to do the same job twice. For some reason, a re-man head leads me to believe I will be doing it again
Don't rob it, the 88's were the last year of the bad heads so you will definitely need to do it again. The crack in yours is not in the place where the bad heads crack, they usually crack around the rocker arm stud. Just make sure the reman fall in the 89+ category and you should be fine, or have your repaired and decked with a valve job and you are good to go.
LMC truck has 2.9 heads now(looks to be the 89 up type), latest online catalog page 113, for $289
Less pricey than the King, little more than Odessa (which you said you were kind of sketchy on)
