87 ranger ignition problems

I just got a ranger from my bud, it runs great! Only 2 problems. 1, when i start it up, the starter will keep going, sometimes i have to put it in 4th and drop the clutch to make it stop. I have no idea wut is makin it do that, so any help would be greatly appreciated. 2, the valve covers are leakin oil, i'm just gonna replace and inspect the gastkets for that and c wut happens from there. Thanx.

Replace the starter relay located under the hood near the battery.

I am having a similar problem with my 87 ranger. I have actually narrowed the problem to the ignition switch. Try to remove the ignition switch and carefully clean it. Remember it is an electrical switch, so using water to clean it will destroy the thing. Try using some rubbing alcohol and a couple of que-tips.
If your ranger has the tilt wheel getting the switch off is farely simple. All you have to do is look under the wheel for two screws that hold the plastic sleeve on. Remove those two screws carfully, so as not to crack the plastic. Once the screws are off, go ahead and carfully pull of the top half of the sleeve. to do this you need to tilt the wheel all the way down. After you get the top half of the sleeve off, go ahead and tilt the wheel all the way up and gently pull the bottom half of the cover off. When you get the sleeve off, take a look at the igniton switch part of the caseing, you will see a small metal pin coming through a small hole. the pin is about the size of a nail in diamiter, but really short, and flush with the casing. disconnect the negative cable from the battery, and put your key in the ignition. Turn the key to the RUN possition. Then use a nail or small screwdriver to push the pin in. once the pin is in, carefully pull the igniton swtich out. I am going to asume your ignition switch is the kind with the butterfly wings around the key. Usually with crome, sometimes these are acctually black, well, look at the base of the butterfly wings, and you will notice two little pins that push against it. These need to be clear of all debris. use the que-tip and rubbing alcohol to clean this area. also since the switch is out make sure there are no metal flakes down insinde the columb casing. if there is any debris, use the alcohol solution to remove it. allow all parts to dry, then carfully put the switch back in. the switch is still in the RUN possition and that the pin is still pushed in. once the switch is back in, turn the swtich to any other possition to reset the pin to the outward possition. Hope this works. If this does not work, you should try to get a lock smith or automotive electritian to look at the vehicle.

Be carfull with who you let work on this. I recently hired a guy to fix a similar problem with my other vehicle, and he ended up cracking the culoumb. Make sure the guy is licensed.