1987 ranger, 2.9 L.
Checked anti freeze level today and had to add at least 2 gallons to get it full. Ran the truck for a bit then noticed it was dripping out the bottom where the bell housing attaches to the engine. One drip every 5 seconds when the engine is hot. Very few drips once the engine is cool.

where do you think this is leaking from?

 

Most likely, it's from a freeze plug on back of the block.. they rust and rot out over time, especially with infrequent coolant service. You could check the back of the lower intake, but if it were leaking that bad, you'd probably have coolant in the oil too.

 

If it were the back side freeze plug, I assume I’m pulling the motor to fix it?

 

Well, you could just drop the trans and find the culprit, but it might be better to just yank the motor out and consider changing all of them. I'm sure the others are not probably far behind. Gives you an opportunity to fix other things that may be difficult to do while it's still in the truck too.

 

What else should I look at replacing while I have the engine pulled? i.e. gaskets, seals, etc.? Any advice is appreciated.

 

That really depends on your budget. You could do a full rebuild, or just replace the stuff that leaks, like gaskets, seals, freeze plugs. It really depends on how you feel about the vehicle. If it's just a beater you run around with, then you might just want to do what it takes to get it back on the road. If it has a great body and chassis, then you might want to dump some money in it and have it last way longer.

 

I should have been more specific. I’m not going to rebuild the engine, but since I will have it out, is there anything that I would be crazy not to replace while it is out? i.e. main rear seal, etc.?

 

The minimum I would do personally is replace ALL the gaskets and seals while I had the motor out along with the oil pump and freeze plugs.

 

Found the leaking expansion plug.

 

Wow, that looks like a fun one to find and fix.
I might have found the cause of the puddle. I cleaned it up went for a ride, pulled it all back apart and looked in there and found a small flow emanating from where the radiator hose meets the thermostat housing. Nice and simple, sort of. Found the clamp was loose. Took another drive, no new puddle but still smells. Haven't found the PVC-loop nor the PCV-valve. There's a line coming from the Oil-cap-neck that goes to the big rubber thing that's inbetween the throttle and air-cleaner. I suspect it's for crankcase breathing, have no clue where a PVC would be as it wasn't there. I did find some heater-by-pass coolant lines that go to the intake-manifold. Don't know how such a small flow could be of much use other than warming the aluminum casting to keep it from warping, maybe? (photo attached)