Genuine 1996 Ford Ranger Cylinder Head

1996 Ford Ranger Cylinder Head Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove and install a cylinder head in SOHC four cylinder engine on 1996 Ford Ranger?

  A: On 2.5L engines, have the air conditioning refrigerant recovered by a dealer service department or service station, relieve the fuel system pressure, disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal, and position the number one piston at top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke. Drain the cooling system, remove the air cleaner assembly and air duct, and take off the drive belt. Remove the bolt retaining the heater hose to the valve cover if equipped, then take out the spark plug wires and ignition coil packs as an assembly, followed by the spark plugs. Label and disconnect any electrical connectors or vacuum hoses attached to components on the cylinder head, remove the dipstick tube, and take off the upper intake manifold. Remove the valve cover, air conditioning compressor from its mounting bracket without disconnecting the hoses, and set it aside along with the bracket and power steering pump. Remove the alternator bracket mounting bolts and set the alternator and bracket aside, disconnect the upper radiator hose at both ends, and remove it from the engine. Take out the radiator fan/clutch assembly, water pump pulley, and timing belt front cover. Confirm that all camshaft and crankshaft marks are still aligned, then loosen the timing belt tensioner. Remove the timing belt from the camshaft and auxiliary shaft or oil pump sprockets, take off the heat stove from the exhaust manifold, and remove the exhaust manifold mounting bolts while leaving the manifold in place. Remove the timing belt tensioner bolts and spring stop from the cylinder head, disconnect the oil pressure sending unit wiring harness connector, and remove the intake manifold. Using a new head gasket, outline the cylinders and bolt pattern on a piece of cardboard, indicating the front and punching holes at the bolt locations. Loosen the cylinder head mounting bolts in 1/4-turn increments until they can be removed by hand, storing the bolts in the cardboard holder to ensure they are reinstalled in their original locations. Lift the head off the engine, using a soft-face hammer or a block of wood and a hammer to break the gasket seal if it is stuck, and place the head on a block of wood to prevent damage to the gasket surface. If a new cylinder head is being installed, transfer all external parts from the old cylinder head to the new one, ensuring the mating surfaces of the cylinder head and block are perfectly clean. Use a gasket scraper to remove all traces of carbon and old gasket material, then clean the mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone, as oil on the mating surfaces can prevent proper sealing. Check the block and head mating surfaces for nicks, deep scratches, and other damage, using a file for slight damage or considering machining for excessive damage. Use a tap of the correct size to chase the threads in the head bolt holes, and run a die down the threads of each bolt to remove corrosion and restore the threads. Position the new gasket over the dowel pins in the block without using a gasket sealer, confirm that the crankshaft is at TDC, and rotate it if necessary until the "TC" mark aligns with the pointer, ensuring pistons 1 and 4 are at TDC. Before installing the cylinder head, turn the camshaft until the pin is in the five o'clock position to avoid valve damage, checking that the camshaft lobes for cylinders No. 1 and 4 point almost directly out while those for cylinders No. 2 and 3 point up at about a 45-degree angle. Carefully position the head on the block without disturbing the gasket, install the cylinder head bolts, and tighten them in sequence to the specified torque. Return the camshaft to its original TDC position, and complete the installation in reverse order of removal, finishing by changing the engine oil and filter.