knicked pistons will create hot spots causing other problems. I would think you would need to smooth them out for a ghetto fix if it's not too bad and just bolt on a junkyard head. It's not a hard or expensive fix so I say do it. If nothing else it'll give you a car you can trade in.

 

Ye, a complete head should not cost very much and is minimal work. But if you start buying new parts then I say its not worth it.

 

Well, to get my head remanufactured would cost $350.
Plus the time to drive them 3 hours to the best shop, then go and get them when they're done.
I'm thinking that it's time to just rip my stereo and other items from the car and send it to the wreckers.
So I should have some rims/tires to sell soon.
I'm looking at a 2002 Ford Ranger, 4.0L V6, 4x4, power windows/door locks, 130k KMs (about 75k Mi) on the Odo.
$9900 Cdn.
Seems to be about the going price around here for a similar model/options.

I'm worried that if I fix the head on my car, that the other damage in the motor will cause it to die soon, making the head repair useless.
For other things, I need to replace both rear struts, possibly the fronts.
The exhaust needs to be done from the header back.
I'd just like another automotive opinion on this.

 

Cutting that back 3-4 years will cut the price in half (if it works like it does here). Going with a Chrysler or GM product will also cut costs in most locations because of the heavy rebates being offered on new cars and the uncertainty of their futures even though it's irrelevant when older vehicles are involved.

 

So, after much soul searching, I decided that even though I REALLY like my car, that SOMEONE is sending me a nudge.
I went to my bank and was approved to finance another vehicle.
I'm getting a 2002 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Ext.Cab Flareside.

 

That makes me sad :-(

I am not a ford kind of person either, I grew up with ford

 

I'm not really a Ford person either, but it's a nifty little truck.
This'll be Ford's last chance for me ... My experience with fords have been:
'76 Pinto (Great car until the clutch gave out, although no one would tail-gate me!)
'85 Tempo 100k KMs the clutch died, then the shocks went and then both CV axles blew
'98 Windstar the fuel pump kept blowing the fuse, then the relay, then the pump itself (Stranding us on the highway each time)