Well Lets just say after tearing down the engine twice to do the timing I have pretty much given up on the 2.6. I am very interested int swaping in a 4d55t. I have had a very hard time finding one that is reasonably priced. I would love to find one somewhat close by as well. I live in wisconsin. I would drive up to about 15-20 hours to find one. so pretty much any were.

Also if you know whats wrong with the 2.6 let me know. I have done the timing and then redone the timing because i was convinced that i did something wrong so with about 20 hours into the timing and no go I am pissed. I thought it could be the head but i wouldnt lose compression on all cylinders would I? also i think the metal heater hose broke and thats going to be a pain to change. let me know what you think. thanks guys

Maybe the block is 180 out from the head timing, LT did this once and the truck ran like crap. He went over everything and didn't think about it being 180 out of time because it would start.

on the other hand just order a 4D56 and have a better life.

Yes but i dont know were to get a 4d56 I live in the boonies. I dont think there is an engine importer anywhere. Does the 4d56 bolt right up to the same tranny?

You will have to find an imported 4d56, because only the 4d55 was ever imported, and was used in mitsus and some ford ranger trucks.

We can fix the 2.6 somehow. List out again what you did from the first. Rebuilt the engine? Replaced the head? What?

Ok here it is from the top.

Going down the freeway. Battery light cam on so i thought that the alternator was slipping or something? Then the temp gauge started going up so i pulled over and turned it off. The temp never got to the red. I thought heater hose but i soon realized it was the water pump. I had it towed to my apartment in Menomonie WI. I replaced the pump in the parking lot and tried to start it and it wouldn't. So i towed it home with a tow bar. That went pretty well. I then started tearing it down because the general consensus was that the timing slipped when the pump went. So I got a timing chain kit. Should have also gotten a balance shaft eliminator kit but didn't not a big deal. Then installed the timing chain with the number one piston on TDC on the compression stroke. and linned up all the plated links with the dots on the gears, on both the timing and balance shaft chains. Then put it all back together. And installed the dizzy with it at TDC and the rotor pointing in the number one cylinder direction. While cranking it to try and start we noticed a coolant leak in the timing cover. I didnt scrap it well enough. But it did fire and run for about 3-5 seconds. So yesterday i spent 10 hours pulling it all back apart. And triple scraping the gaskets off. Then again making sure the #1 piston was at TDC on the compression stroke I again installed the chains and grears with all the links and dots lining up. Put the cover, oil pan, and two head bolts back int installed the water pump the accessories and radiator and clutch fan all back on. Dizzy back in the way it should. and tried staring it. Nothing. But i think the metal heater hose broke now i have collant coming from the back of the engine were the heater hose goes. So i stopped but still the fact was no start. I will still check compression again but was at 60 across the board when i first did the timing. That is were Im at. I am thinking about getting this parts montero that is really close. just incase i need a new head. it comes with a new one and newer tires for 500ish thanks for the help guys this place is great.

60PSI is very low. You should see at least 130 and 170 is more like it.

My guess would be the timing chain is off a tooth or two.

At TDC (one turn of the cranks after the firing point) the intake and exhaust valves should be open the same amount. The rotor should be pointing at cylinder #4.

Kevin