To all who took the time to answer me back I thank you.

First, I want to remind you that this is a conversion project that mated up a Mercedes OM617 via a conversion kit to a Jeep AX-15 manual transmission, and put them into a Ford Ranger Supercab.

Unfortunately, I could not use the original starter. It mounts on the wrong side. I have to use a starter that mounts to the conversion plate alongside the oil pan like the Jeep 4.0L. Therefore, the starter is only 1.4kw and has been a source of frustration since the beginning. I'm around diesel engines on the farm and use them everyday. They all fire right up because the starters are made to handle the compression. The one for the 4.0L gasser Jeep has always been too slow since I took it out of the box. How I wish I could use the original 2.5kw starter that was there to crank this engine over when I got it.

That is why I am researching the high-torque starters from Mean Green and elsewhere.

I have located a similar Nippondenso starter but they say it's for racing applications on a gas engine where the compression ratio is up to 15:1. Obviously that's still too low for the normal compression of this OM617 engine, but it is much stronger than the current starter that I have. And at only about half the price of the MG starter.

As to the rings and oil burning issue: it did not burn oil prior to this major overheat situation. When started cold it used to have very minimal smoke, and then only until it warmed up to a normal operating temperature. After that, it burned nice and clean, even at 220K miles.

I am not opposed to honing out the cylinders and re-ringing the pistons. I just don't have a lot of time to do that until winter. Very busy on the farm this time of year.

I have looked all around my area several times per week for several months for a replacement engine, and the best I can find so far is one from a recycler with 176K on it for $675. Even if I did swap out the engine for a good one I still have the dilemma of the starter being too small.

The good head I found and had new valve guides installed, along with refacing the valves and new stem seals already has over $400 tied up in it. I don't really need a whole engine, just a good block and I have had NO luck finding one of those.

Thanks again for your input. I will keep checking in with you.

Rick