88 Ranger 2.3 to V6 Swap....with a twist


ltbenji

10+ Year Member

Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
89
Points
1,601
Vehicle Year
1988
Transmission
Manual
Hey Guys

I've got the previously mentioned 88 Ranger with the 2.3 4cylinder. I was wondering, would a 2.6 V6 out of a Mercury Capri fit into the bay and be a fairly easy swap? It's in the same family as the 2.8 Cologne V6's so I'm assuming it's just bored or stroked a little less than the 2.8s.

Any ideas on where I could learn more?
 
Or would the 2.8 from a Capri swap in as well?

Or would either of these would you have transmission problems?
 
I put a 2.8 in mine from a ranger (if it is the same as a Capri then yes it will fit) but you will have to change the bellhousings due to they are different from eachother. Mine originally had a 2.3 in it. Had to use the 2.8 motor mounts a drill a hole in the engine cross member for the driverside to fit.
 
if bellhousing paterns are the same as the 2.8/2.9/4.0, it should be an easy swap, just use motormounts out of a 2.8 ranger and trans outa one. the 2.3 only interchanges with other lima 4 cyl engines.. just curious, why are you swapping a capri engine in? sounds like an intresting swap for a 2.6L
 
It's an idea right now and I'm seeing if it's even a reasonable idea.

Reason why the Capri 2.6 or 2.8 is my dad has both engines that I can have
And the 2.6 instead of the 2.8, is the 2.6 is actually more powerful than the 2.8 due to emissions stuff they added to the 2.8
 
Oh and was the MOD5 the manual transmission for the Rangers with the 2.8?

And what about a transmission for the 2.6?
 
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