LittleHorse
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2009
- Messages
- 964
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Pryor, OK
- Vehicle Year
- 1990
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.9L
- Transmission
- Automatic
I've found a 2.3T motor out of a Thunderbird T/C with LA3 computer, harness, turbo, manifolds, etc...but it needs to be rebuilt. Guys says it's got a burned piston and 2 burned valves. Wants $300 and is throwing in the bucket seats if I buy the motor, which I haven't even figured out if they're a bolt in yet anyway.. I'd probably go through the bottom end with new bearings and pistons and replace all the valves and valve seals. He has a new set of OEM pistons that will go with the motor.
I wasn't planning on doing this for a while, like a year, but if this is the sort of deal that I'm not likely to come across very often I could go ahead and buy it and just rebuild it as I get the money and keep driving the 2.9 in the meantime.
Is there anything I need to look for if I go check the engine out? It's already partially disassembled so everything will be there and open for the viewing.
Also, how many of you guys run 2.3T in a 4x4? It's mainly a daily with some occasional wheeling and the plan is to do a 4" lift and 32x11.50s, M5OD transmission. Would I be happier with a 4.0? Seems like the 2.3T pretty much owns all in tq.
I wasn't planning on doing this for a while, like a year, but if this is the sort of deal that I'm not likely to come across very often I could go ahead and buy it and just rebuild it as I get the money and keep driving the 2.9 in the meantime.
Is there anything I need to look for if I go check the engine out? It's already partially disassembled so everything will be there and open for the viewing.
Also, how many of you guys run 2.3T in a 4x4? It's mainly a daily with some occasional wheeling and the plan is to do a 4" lift and 32x11.50s, M5OD transmission. Would I be happier with a 4.0? Seems like the 2.3T pretty much owns all in tq.
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