I got this truck a couple months ago and it needed a head gasket. Took it to a popular shop in town and had one put on along with some other parts. The truck had been sitting for 2 years when I got. Since I got it out of the shop when I first start it up it cuts off within about 60 seconds. Crank it again same thing. If I try to give it gas to keep it running it hesitates and tries to die out but if you fight with it at just the right time you can keep it running. Once you keep it running for about 4 or 5 minutes it stays running and its good to go. Really cold natured. But once it warms up its fine, Runs and drives out fine. But if you cut it off and go in the store by the time you come back out and start it up the hesitation starts again let it run for a couple minutes its fine again good to go. Its a 87 Ranger 2.3L automatic trans. Could anyone help me out with this?? Its dangerous when I try to pull out in the road and it won't go anywhere just hesitates.

 

Since the intake system and coolantwas removed to do the head gasket, I would first check your IAC (Idle Air Control) valve, IAT (Intake Air Temperature) sensor, TPS (Throttle Position Sensor)and your ECT Engine Coolant Temperature) sensor. All of these can affect your cold engine driveability issue.

 

One if these sensors would make it run this way or all these sensors would make it run this way?&nbsp\\; Sorry to ask such a stupid question

 

If you have a fuel pressure guage I would check the fuel pressure. Its free to borrow the guage at autozone.

 

Just one of the sensors could cause your problem. Also remember that your truck has 2 fuel pumps. A LOW pressure pump in the tank that feeds the HIGH pressure pump mounted on the frame rail that feeds the injectors. The low pressure pump in the tank could be bad. Also, have the fuel filters been replaced? There is a filter after the high pressure pump and a canister filter before the high pressure pump that folks tent to forget about. Ford started to phase out the canister filter in 1987, but my 1988 came with one. The canister will still be as this is where the fuel returns to after flowing thru the fuel rail.