How can I check to see if I have an exhaust manifold leak on a 1987 Ford Ranger 2.9 V6 4WD? It is running as if I do.

There is a "block" that has wires attaching it to the distributor cap, it is the timing advance for that year model Ranger. Mine had fallen from the holding harness and landed on the exhaust manifold causing it to melt and have a direct short to the spark ditributor, causing it to "dip while idling" and also created a severe "miss" at running RPM. If you need one of those blocks, you can find one on ANY Ford in that time era, they all work. I believe it is no longer available as a new part, they'll try and sell you a new distributor to update the one you have. Keep it original, it's a classic! Hope you find your issue, I found mine and truck was running much better when it was replaced.

for that engine, yes.
there was more than one engine size produced for that year, and there were 2 and 4 wheel drive models released.
this information is vital so you don't get the wrong information.

You can just google search "1991 ford ranger (insert engine size) manifold torque specs"

Also, are we talking about intake manifold or exhaust manifold?

Buy the tool from Snap-On

check for vacuum leak at the upper intake manifold.
cheers.

Vacuum leak around inlet manifold or hose, spray around with D 40 or similar,engine will speed up when you find the leak. DO NOT spray around hot exhaust or you will have a fire.

I can give you a couple of possible causes(1)freeze plugs in the block,there round & look like drink coasters,but are brass(2)intake manifold gasket can be leaking from the corners where water jackets are/also the head gasket both are on all four corners,I don't know what motor you have,but there are pipes that are called crossovers that run from the back off the timing cover to the heater core on the fire wall,sometimes on top of the manifold on one side & there will be a hose connected to it possible bad hose or corroded tube?

Hi, have you checked for intake manifold gasket leaks? Pretty common on Ford V-6. With engine running, spray carb cleaner on the gaskets. If the engine speed changes, you have a gasket leak (yes, driver's side of the manifold).
Thanks for using FixYa.

Have a smoke machine used on the exhaust system

If your not familiar with one,they were designed for finding EVAP Leaks,and can be used for lots of things.

A muffer shop with no smoke. That is Fired Flintstone Repair

a lot of stuff to fix here
oil: with the truck running hot, I would use a heavy oil, like 10-40
trans: where is the leak? If pan, tighten bolts. seals are much harder repair
water leak: possibly a freeze plug. Maybe you should pull the tranny and fix the water leak and the trans seal at the same time (if the seal is bad)
overheating: maybe just caused by the leak. Hard to tell until the leak is fixed. Might want to check the radiator for sludge and back flush if dirty.
hard sound: probably loose flange seal at exhaust manifold. check hole exhaust pipe to locate leak. If not along pipe, unbolt the flange and put in a new gasket.
engine problems: is the engine light on? If yes, have the truck scanned for trouble code and report them back to us. Autozone does free scans.
More questions, please let us know

could be egr system,vacuum leak at manifold, or bad vacuum hoses,