The Ford Ruster

I said that I would be updating this blog with projects I've undertaken, but I really dropped the ball. First of all, it should be noted that taking 15 credits a semester while trying to raise to toddlers is project enough for most people. Secondly, the fact that I haven't posted anything on a blog doesn't mean I haven't done anything. Take, for instance, the '98 Ford Ranger (the "Ruster") that I bought for $20.00 from my brother-in-law. It was running on three or four out of its six cylinders, had a blown head gasket, and the exhaust ended right under the cab. It was a lovely combination. After a few hundred dollars were spent collecting parts, my brother and I dove into the engine bay.
Here is the engine torn down to the block (we didn't touch the bottom end--pistons, rings, etc.)


New gaskets and new heads going on:


Ready for intake:


Intake manifold and rockers on. Ready for...everything else:


Valve covers, and a bunch of other stuff, haha:


This is it, almost ready to fire:


And running!


Here is the quick list of parts replaced:
-Heads
-water pump
-top end gaskets
-head bolts
-all fluids
-spark plugs, cap, rotor, plug wires
-pushrods (a couple were bent, and one was just laying under the intake manifold in the valley pan)
-new rear leaf spring shackles (old ones were so rusted they were literally not there anymore)

That's all I can think of now. It has been a while, and the truck is still running great. It blows some smoke and uses a bit of oil--looks like the rings were toast, but I'll live, and so will the Ruster.