2.9 to 2.8/2.3 Carb swap?

Mr.Hotrod · Jul 17, 2011

How hard would it be to swap in a carb'd engine 2.8 or a 2.3 in an 88 Ford Bronco II? Should it be a direct bolt in if i use the motor mounts from like a 83-85 Ford Ranger? Will my transmission bolt up fine? I just prefer carb'd engine especially if i have to work on them myself with my 18 year old mind...

unoleisu · Jul 17, 2011

Honestly, You would be doing yourself a big favor learning fuel injection systems. You will likely run into issues with these the rest of your automotive related life. Once I learned the basics of EFI systems, I found I could not only help my self with a lot of potentially costly repairs, but alot of others, as well.
There are alot of decent books out there that break it down and make it easy enough to understand, and if you can turn a wrench you can repair just about all of it.

Anyway, If your BII has a 2.9 in it, I think there are issues with transmissions. It's not all direct swaps. You'de probably need to swap in the tranny from your engine doner vehicle. You need also to keep in mind in most states the emmissions requirements for your vehicle must be met.

If you're determined to do an engine swap, most folks on here will say swap in a 4.0 from a first gen Ranger or Explorer, and an M50D tranny. And take the time to learn about Electronic Fuel Injection systems.

Twister · Jul 18, 2011

Your transmission will bolt up fine, the 2.8, 2.9 and the 4.0 all shared the same bell-housings.

kimcrwbr1 · Jul 18, 2011

If you need to pass emissions you cannot downgrade any vehicle. If you want carbed unless you go 5.0l (302) you will be losing alot of hp but either way your looking at alot of mods exhaust, fuel, wiring, steering and mounts. If you want simple get a book for your 2.9 and go thru it thoroughly. The guys here can help with any probs you run into.

Mr.Hotrod · Jul 18, 2011

Would it be worth a 2.3 EFI Swap? Maybe from like an 89-92 ranger danger?

kimcrwbr1 · Jul 18, 2011

Most anything can be done it depends on your skill level. What is wrong with the 2.9.

Mr.Hotrod · Jul 18, 2011

kimcrwbr1 said:
Most anything can be done it depends on your skill level. What is wrong with the 2.9.

Well it's a good engine, but there's no timing marks on it? :dunno:

And my timing is off on it, and i just wanted to try something new, i've never seen a bronco II with a 2.3 in it.

adsm08 · Jul 18, 2011

Mr.Hotrod said:
Well it's a good engine, but there's no timing marks on it? And my timing is off on it, and i just wanted to try something new, i've never seen a bronco II with a 2.3 in it.

There are in fact timing marks. You just have to do a bit of archeology :icon_rofl:

. They are buried under all the grime on your crank balancer.

On my old high-miles 2.9 I found I liked the results I got by setting the timing to 12* instead of the speced 10*.

Mr.Hotrod · Jul 21, 2011

adsm08 said:
There are in fact timing marks. You just have to do a bit of archeology . They are buried under all the grime on your crank balancer.

On my old high-miles 2.9 I found I liked the results I got by setting the timing to 12* instead of the speced 10*.

Does setting the timing at 12* make any sort of inscrease? Power? lol

2.9 to 2.8/2.3 Carb swap?

Mr.Hotrod

10+ Year Member

unoleisu

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Twister

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kimcrwbr1

15+ Year Member

Mr.Hotrod

10+ Year Member

kimcrwbr1

15+ Year Member

Mr.Hotrod

10+ Year Member

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey

Mr.Hotrod

10+ Year Member

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