How can I tell what engine I have?

[upnsmoke]

Mark, when you can wiggle the pistons in the bores by hand, your motor is definitely in a bad way. My 2.0 was .060 over when I got it, which tells me it was likely rebuilt more than once, probably 3 times, in the 200k that I believe are on it. I do not believe any forged pistons are available off the shelf for the 2.0. I looked at one time. You can get pistons made at fairly reasonable prices should you decide you want to.
Itlives, great deal on the pressure plate. Good luck selling it. Sounds like it could pay for the whole engine you purchased plus the extra block you need.

[Mark_88]

yeah, they were well past their "best before date"...

Not sure about the forged pistons either but anything is possible these days...with enough money and time we can build anything...

[itlives]

Mark- I don't know if you're movie buff, but you should watch "The Worlds Fastest Indian" if you haven't seen it. Anthony Hopkins stars as the guy that set the world land speed record on an Indian (motorcycle). Great movie!
It starts out with him making his own pistons.
True story

Why do advise against boring out the 2L if it's the same block?

[chilsam]

Originally Posted by itlives

Mark- I don't know if you're movie buff, but you should watch "The Worlds Fastest Indian" if you haven't seen it. Anthony Hopkins stars as the guy that set the world land speed record on an Indian (motorcycle). Great movie!
It starts out with him making his own pistons.
True story

Why do advise against boring out the 2L if it's the same block?

That is a VERY GOOD movie!

[itlives]

Ok, I got the head off my engine. Just in case there's a visible difference in the n/a pistons and turbo pistons, here's a picture of the top off mine. Can anyone tell if they are n/a ?


Wrong pic -duh

[Mark_88]

yep, they're dished...at least they look dished...the 2.0 and 2.3 are both flat head pistons...maybe a slight indent on them where the valves would meet but otherwise flat...

[John Smith]

Originally Posted by Mark_88

yep, they're dished...at least they look dished...the 2.0 and 2.3 are both flat head pistons...maybe a slight indent on them where the valves would meet but otherwise flat...

they are definatley turbo pistons. Hopefully they are original Ford forged, and if so if they are not damaged..someone may pay you something for them. 8.0 compression will not run great unless turbo'ed. I would mic' the holes to see what bore they are...if the rings aren't scored..it's has value as is..

mornin' Mark..

[itlives]

Ok, I guess I need to take the block apart this weekend and check sizes on everything. Does anyone have a recommended brand of kit to buy.

Guess I'll have some turbo parts to sell soon. I don't want this to drag out!

[John Smith]

Originally Posted by itlives

Ok, I guess I need to take the block apart this weekend and check sizes on everything. Does anyone have a recommended brand of kit to buy.

Guess I'll have some turbo parts to sell soon. I don't want this to drag out!

too bad you aren't near someone with a NA running engine for sale or trade etc....instead of taking that apart and interrupting the seating rings..etc...the bore is most likely standard...you could take a bearing cap off and tell what bearing you have.,

All Turbo blocks are large journal crank, (if the block has has a turbo oil drain hole)...

if someone would want the pistons it would be best to leave them connected to rods etc...those pistons are hard to find and are no longer available from FORD...There are aftermarket non-forged dished pistons out there so finding out what you have would be good...clean a top of the piston w wd40 and see if it has any markings...

Anyway...those heads (actual turbo'ed) are rare uncracked, so if it's all been done..it's kewl...and it would be great used on flat top pistons..

i wouldn't buy a kit for that motor,,I would piece together what you need...
but first decide what you're going to do for pistons and rods..

to run a carb..or even EFI, you will want flat tops though..
that may be a good engine to use as a turbo'ed install for someone..

[Mark_88]

Originally Posted by John Smith

too bad you aren't near someone with a NA running engine for sale or trade etc....instead of taking that apart and interrupting the seating rings..etc...the bore is most likely standard...you could take a bearing cap off and tell what bearing you have.,

All Turbo blocks are large journal crank, (if the block has has a turbo oil drain hole)...

if someone would want the pistons it would be best to leave them connected to rods etc...those pistons are hard to find and are no longer available from FORD...There are aftermarket non-forged dished pistons out there so finding out what you have would be good...clean a top of the piston w wd40 and see if it has any markings...

Anyway...those heads (actual turbo'ed) are rare uncracked, so if it's all been done..it's kewl...and it would be great used on flat top pistons..

i wouldn't buy a kit for that motor,,I would piece together what you need...
but first decide what you're going to do for pistons and rods..

to run a carb..or even EFI, you will want flat tops though..
that may be a good engine to use as a turbo'ed install for someone..

Good afternoon John...

That's what I was thinking...it would nice to find someone who wants a turbo block and swap it out for another 2.3/2.5...and too bad it isn't closer to me because I'd trade out my bottom end for that turbo in a flash...

But, anyway, it was a good find and if you can use it then go for it...plug up the oil drain and you're good to go...unless you want to use the oil drain....all 2.3 heads have the hole at the back (at least mine did from the Mustang) and I didn't know what it was till someone pointed it out to me...

[itlives]

I was looking at the sticky (what wonderful resource!) and the connecting rods are the same on the 2.0 and the 2.3. I can use the con. rods from my 2.0 Ranger engine, buy some new pistons and rings for the 2.3 and be good to go. Well, I'd still want to replace anything that looks even a little worn.
That way, I can sell the turbo pistons with the connecting rods together (as John suggested).

Another option would be to put the Mustang 2.3L head on the Ranger 2.0 block.
Is it a direct bolt on?
What about the combustion chamber, isn't it too big for the 2.0 hole?
Or, does that not matter?

[John Smith]

Is mic the bore in the turbo block (if it is within limits)...and fit new 2.3 pistons to your 2.0 rods, and put it together with new bearings of course...
(unless you can sell/trade the complete block w/piston as is to someone for a good NA bored block)

....
keep the 2.0 crank (it's the same as your turbo crank), diz, etc..maybe sell the head/block to someone for a spare,

Never throw a bad block away..they can be sold as "clean cast" (premium) if you punch the aluminum aux shaft bearings out..

keep in mind..the older 12pt head bolts can generally be re-used, so don't throw any of those away even if you're using head studs...FYI head studs make for hard re-moving of the head unless you remove the studs while the engine is in your specific application sometimes..