update on my v8 swap

hddave1 · Mar 2, 2011

well guys i got my motor and trans. in the 85 ranger.. i got the drive shaft hooked up also. got the radiator and tranny cooler mounted...still got a lot more to do but i'll get it...lol...i hope....man the motor and tranny just slipped right in with no trouble just like it was made for the ranger...thanks guys for all the good advice from my other threads...

85_Ranger4x4 · Mar 2, 2011

What trans are you using to get the driveshaft to hook up? I just dropped mine off to get altered today, the rear was about 4" too short to touch the t-case.

Did you get it running yet?

hddave1 · Mar 2, 2011

i used my ranger driveshaft..i just got me a c4 yoke and put it on...the trans is a c4 automatic..it was the same lenth as the 5speed tranny that was in the truck...i used the 90 model ranger 4.0 engine mounts and i let the tranny and driveshaft locate the engine and i made engine plates as per the tech page and bolted the engine plates to the mounts...didnt have to cut or add to the ranger driveshaft...i did have to move the rear cross member forward about 2 or 3 inches but its in the truck sitting pretty...i hope to have it running by this sunday..

hddave1 · Mar 2, 2011

i have about 2inches from the fan to the radiator which was great.. i was a little worried that it was gonna be closer or even hit it but i can get my whole hand between the fan and radiator...i will gets some pics and post as soon as i can

85_Ranger4x4 · Mar 2, 2011

hddave1 said:
i have about 2inches from the fan to the radiator which was great.. i was a little worried that it was gonna be closer or even hit it but i can get my whole hand between the fan and radiator...i will gets some pics and post as soon as i can

What FEAD did you use?

r1hatman · Mar 2, 2011

Dropping my 289 off on Monday to get her machined and then start slapping her in right after I do my 3 inch body lift to fix any clearance issues! Let's get er done! HD, throw up some pics so I can learn from your screw ups! LOL

hddave1 · Mar 3, 2011

the radiator is from 91-92 explorer..its a 4 core..i had to cut the bottom of the core support and i made brackets that it sits in..it tucks in under the top core support..i used a 17inch fan..not clutch..the engine valve covers sit about 1 inch from the firewall..i will get pics this afternoon when i get home from work

hddave1 · Mar 3, 2011

r1hatman said:
Dropping my 289 off on Monday to get her machined and then start slapping her in right after I do my 3 inch body lift to fix any clearance issues! Let's get er done! HD, throw up some pics so I can learn from your screw ups! LOL

lol...i hope i didnt screw up..so far this has been a fairly easy swap..its been a little ruff on my 40yr old back ..lol..but so far so good.. im shooting for this sunday get her running but its hard to work during the day and only having about 3 hrs of an afternoon to work on the truck...so far i still need a power steering bracket..im going saturday to search the junk yards..

jmcleek · Mar 3, 2011

maybe you can do what I did with my 2.9 ps bracket http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/3143/2241/7856120157_medium.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/3143/2241/7856120156_medium.jpg

hddave1 · Mar 3, 2011

well here are some pics of the radiator and as you can see it worked out that i had plenty of room between the fan and radiator..im shooting for sunday to have it running...

hddave1 · Mar 4, 2011

well i went to to pull a part this morning and got me a power steering bracket from a 82 f150 and i got the autanator bracket as well..got em installed today..got the headers on last night..still need to install the shifter and cable..got a carb kit so i got to do that as well...

85_Ranger4x4 · Mar 4, 2011

How did your headers fit? 88400's right?

hddave1 · Mar 4, 2011

yes 88400's.. they fit really nice ..better than i 1st thought..i did cut out the passenger side frame a littlle but not enough to worry about..i'll get some pics of what i did to my ugle a/c box... used the duct from a non a/c ranger...turned out nice...could you give a heads up on what you did as far as wiring...im gonna be starting that tomorrow after i get the shifter in..

85_Ranger4x4 · Mar 4, 2011

I used Duraspark ignition, actually I had my 2.8 set up for it so it was a simple plug in for the 302.

Got the DS brainbox with the blue connector and two plugs from a junkyard. I had the pigtail that goes between the box and the dizzy off of a 400 that was laying around.

I kept the stock coil, it has worked fine for about 3 years with the 2.8 and for the few minutes that I have had the 302 going it has worked perfect for it too. I spliced into a wire that was hot with the key at the coil to run the DS box.

Here is how mine is wired:

Make sure everything you want too keep is tagged before you start cutting, it isn't all that fun to try to retrace and find something important (like say the neutral start switch wiring)

kimcrwbr1 · Mar 5, 2011

+1 on the computer wiring harness hopefully you didnt chop it up too bad. The 8 wire plug by the coil has the wires for the alternator and sending units. just strip it back from the connector to where the alternator connectors are keep the oil pressure, water temp and alternator wires intact and believe you can swap the sending units over for your guage cluster but everything you need is right there keep all the wires long enough to pigtail off if needed.

update on my v8 swap

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