Hello,
I'm a new member and this is my 1st post. Hope someone can give me some advice on my engine problem. I know some might say I should have bought a 3.0L. engine instead of the 2.9L engine after reading this post. I have a 1988 Ranger (195,000 miles), which I am now calling the money pit. It's a good looking little truck, I just can't get it road worthly. I have owned this truck about a year now. I replaced the original 2.9L due to my mechanic saying it was tired, after replacing the blown head gasket, intake gasket and rear seal. It still had no power and just wasn't dependable. So/Well needless to say, I replaced that engine with the engine that is now in my truck, another 2.9L used (unknown mileage). This engine ran real strong at first. Before the head gasket blew on this motor also. I had the passanger side head replaced, head gasket and intake gasket shortly after I had this 2nd engine installed. Now after doing all this work to this 2nd engine - I have a miss on #3 cylinder back on the passenger side. There is spark to the plug, but no change when I pull the plug wire off while running. There is also no change when I pull the injector wire on this #3 cylinder while running. I checked the compression, it is about 130 lbs after only 3 or 4 strokes. So I thought it must be a clogged/ dirty injector. Since this engine ran really strong before all this happened, I thought it would be worth investing in new reconditioned injectors. My mechanic (a friend) but not free. Said he agreed. So he replaced the injectors, plugs, wires, fuel rail, fuel pressure regular and fuel filter. Guess what. It still misses on the same #3 cylinder after all this effort. I am at wits end now, as to what the problem might be. Please Help

 

My mechanic friend called me this morning and said he found the problem. The injector wire was not plugged on tight to that #3 injector. He thought that he had checked it several times, but-- Well, I figured it would be something simple when we found it. I was beginning to think it might have something to due with the head that we replaced. Thanks to all, for you answers and comments.