got a FI 2.3l that i want to drop in a carb rig

Dustinicus · Aug 19, 2017

The engine was given too me, just had to pull it before the rest was taken away. it worked once upon a time but the distributor, engine harness, computer and most of the interior was taken out.

I read that the lower intake is usable with a carb adapter, and the distributor can be used but it wont have any timing advance. If i go this route to just have a working engine could i just plug the fuel injector ports and leave the sensors plugged in and run it with a carb adapter

thanks
Dustin

Mark_88 · Aug 19, 2017

What you are asking is possible but depends on what year the engine was produced. I would start there and see what parts will work. I would imagine that if you have the carb and all the other parts to work with it then you already have a Ranger.

What year is that vehicle?

You an add your specifications to your profile and that might reduce some probing...just go to the User CP section above and fill in your profile a bit more...

tomw · Aug 19, 2017

If you don't disturb them, the installed injectors make good plugs. Given the way emissions controls had affected carburetors, I'd steer away from any that were installed on cars/trucks of the 1980's. They had rudimentary(primitive) controls that were difficult to test and set up by anyone other than a factory tech, and then...
If you can, search for another complete system, and grab the harness & computer. If you get one with a distributor, they don't need a whole lot to work pretty well. Just a MAP sensor, O2 sensor, and all the others on the engine such as coolant and incoming air. The EGR, if equipped, will need to be present and working or you'll have pinging.
If you go aftermarket, "Off road use only", you can get some pretty wild stuff.
Where do you want to go?
tom

RonD · Aug 19, 2017

DuraSpark distributor has vacuum advance, and used with HEI module makes for a cheap reliable spark system for carb engines

Google: duraspark hei conversion

Dustinicus · Aug 20, 2017

It is going in an 83 truck, i pulled the motor out of an 85 EFI truck.
I got the distributor that was on the 85 engine(didnt think i had it originally). I read that I can wire it up with static timing(no advance), and that should get it running. I have a couple autolite/motorcraft 2bbl holley type carbs just laying around with enough parts to make a good one, or a weber 32/36 on my shelf i could use in it (i prefer the weber)
83 ranger no engine
85 EFI engine no ranger

I will get a better distributor down the road as long as i can make the engine work. I have read that there is some work that needs to be done to make the EFI lower intake usable with a carb. I just want to know if i can use the EFI lower does anyone know what needs done to do it?

thanks
Dustin

tomw · Aug 20, 2017

You don't need a lot to get the 85 distributor working. 12V and ground, along with an e-coil. It will have fixed timing. I think the TFI for the manual transmissions will also allow 'push start'.
Check with Racer Walsh and Esslinger, I think, for manifold adapters. If you can get an old Pinto lower intake, they came with Holley-Webers.(2bbl), and would be a bolt-on if the head ports matched. Check fordrangerforum /4-cylinder tech for a sticky of head and intake matchups/shapes/etc. Beyond that, I know nothing.
tom

Dustinicus · Sep 1, 2017

EFI lower manifold with a carburetor

Can anyone give me any definitive answer about the use of the early style EFI manifold with a carb adapter. some reading has suggested that it works well, and others say only in a performance type application.
Does anyone happen to have any decent information about the practical application of this with a carb?
I read some about runner length vs. plenum area to get a better understanding but it was mostly just WOT uses on v8 engines.

Thanks
Dustin

scotts90ranger · Sep 2, 2017

I'm sure it works fine, but there's also a marine manifold out there that is for that cylinder head and a carburetor. If it helps, 9/16" or 14mm freeze plugs (haven't tried fitting, at work we use both on different applications) will plug an injector hole, just use some red Loctite to keep them in place.

Dustinicus · Sep 2, 2017

I am going to clean up the inlet area and use a decent space between the ports and the bottom of the carb thinking 2'' or so if i can fit it. I have read about the freeze plugs in the injector holes, i was thinking of tapping them for threads. I will take some pics of the project and show a few things that I do to maybe help shine some light on the conversion for your day to day type use.
I also heard of the boat manifold, but at this point I just want to make the thing run.
I have to basically build a new wiring harness before i can do anything since what I started with is conglomerate of different incomplete bits from two different vehicles, with parts of a couple wiring harness, which is a whole other part of this project.

thank you for everyone's input
Dustin

got a FI 2.3l that i want to drop in a carb rig

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