Doublevision

I called 8 shops to get an idea of what having someone else do it V/S me slaving away doing it would be and only 2 of 13 shops would even bother to do it and they were both 1500-1900 bucks!

I am going to do this myself and I wanna know what I am getting myself into as I figured it was just as simple as anything else. They said they can't get the timing right on them and can't get them to run right so they simply don't do them.

What?!?! Anyone know what they are on about? I need to know what I am getting myself into.

uberstang1

Its just time consuming thats why, gotta remove all the serpentine belt accessorings and pull the timing cover off, its very labor intensive. This ist a pushrod motor, if ur a beginner wrench turner i highley recommend not tryin it.

Doublevision

Let me ask a side question.... I have a 98 and I found a 97 complete engine for $250. Is there any difference?

DocSnickers

Hell for the 1500 - 1900 range you could just have the dealership do it....

JC316

The 4V is a bitch to do a HG job on, but a 2V isn't bad at all. Getting the timing set right is easy. It is a time consuming job and it can be really annoying to do it with the engine still in the car. I prefer to just rip it out, then change it on a stand.

97 and 98 motor are almost identical. You need to change your fuel rail over and maybe the belt tensioner.

LilRoush

Ford dealer quoted me $2600 to do both head gaskets on my '98 - and that was with me supplying the new gasket kit.

The hours to take it apart and put it together really kill the price.

Doublevision

Thanks a bunch!

Doublevision

Well I started late tonight. Got down to the block and getting ready to take the timing cover off when I start again tomorrow. I suspect it is the driver side so I'll take that off first and hope it is. That way I only have to pull one head.

Vertigo_GT

Thanks for the pics. Good luck. Looks like you got a nice looking stepside Ranger too.

Doublevision

I bought the ranger new in 1997. Few months ago I added an F150.