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1989 2.3 4x4 build up!


LilBJessup

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Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
Man did I struggle with the bearings on the 8.8, the 2 jaw puller didn't want to snatch them off. I tried a bearing splitter and could not get a good bite on the bearing. I ended up using a cut off wheel and an air chisel to remove the bearing. Worked like a charm. I think I measured the pinion right and will re-use the stock shims for the pinion and carrier. Also with the 4.56 gears and 32 - 33 inch tires will my speedometer be off. Will I have to change the speedometer gear?
 


Shran

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V8 Engine Swap
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Nice truck, I'm always surprised to see east coast trucks that aren't rust buckets. I like that you're keeping the 2.3, I think they're one of the best engines Ford ever made.

You may or may not need to change the speedo gear. There is a chart here, use the formula at the bottom to figure out which gear you need:

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/pdfs/SpeedometerGearUsageChart.pdf
 

LilBJessup

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Virginia
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1989
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Ranger
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
I had a massive oil leak on the 2.3, I thought it was the rear main seal so I tore it all apart. Put in a new slave cylinder, clutch, and rear main seal. When I put it back together I still had the leak. Followed it up and the oil sending unit was bad. But to be fair, the rear main seal was leaking, and the clutch was very worn....so no loss there. Here is a video of me documenting the 2.3L rear main. https://youtu.be/wTfD8YDz0sg
 

1qaz

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Location
USA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
While you were that far in you could have dropped the oil pan and changed the gasket and cleaned the pickup tube. Getting to the motor mount nuts are a pain, though. Also, did you change the pilot bearing?
 

DannyG

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Aug 9, 2007
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Location
Grand Forks, ND
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Really enjoyed reading about this build/restoration. Looks to be a very solid platform to build from.
 

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