2.3 oil pan differences (Ranger vs. Mustang)

Fairlaniac · Sep 3, 2008

I picked up a nice 2.3 from a '93 Mustang with 70,000+ miles. My '89 Ranger 2.3 has 226,000 miles and is starting to make a few noises so I'm sticking the low mileage engine in. I'm on RockAuto picking some parts and I came to the oil pan gasket. The '93 Mustang lists the Corteco p/n as 16656 and the '89 Ranger as 16594. Why the difference? Everything else is the same that I'm getting, oil pump, valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, rear seal. So my real question is, will the Ranger oil pan fit on the Mustang 2.3 and if so, which gasket do I use?

Thanks,
Doug

LittleBigFoot · Sep 3, 2008

Maybe something to do with the front axle...

Is the ranger a 4x4?

Stangs were RWD. I'm guessing it's a different pan to clear the front diff.

smokey · Sep 3, 2008

Yep a different pan. the pan is shapped a bit different. The Mustang pan will fit but will rub the TTB a little at the drain plug. Just swap your ranger pan on to it.

Mutant Pony · Sep 3, 2008

The Ranger should have a cast aluminum pan and the mustang one would be stamped steel. YOU WANT THE ALUMINUM ONE. That is why there is a different gasket.
Ranger pan, Ranger gasket. The blocks are the same.

Fairlaniac · Sep 3, 2008

Actually the Mustang pan is cast aluminum. I guess I'm confused, doesn't the pan usually follow the footprint of the block? So the gasket would be the same? The gasket off the Mustang engine was a one piece molded unit. The Ranger engine is still in and running so I cannot check it's gasket. I have another M5OD so I'm going to have the Mustang engine/M5OD trans assembly together for when I decide it's time to transplant.

The Ranger is a 2 wheeler Supercab.

Fairlaniac · Sep 1, 2009

update

Just an update on my findings with the pans since they both are off. Both have a E7ZE p/n but the revision is different. The Ranger has a threaded hole for a sensor, the Mustang pan has an unfinished boss. The two different part numbers for the pan gasket have the Ranger kit with a gasket for the sensor and the Mustang has none for a sensor but both pan rail gaskets fit either pan. I had bought a new Ranger gasket at NAPA and found one for the Mustang pan on eBay for $4.10. I had to buy it to compare.

Mutant Pony · Sep 1, 2009

Yeah, if they are both aluminum they would be the same gasket. The gasket for the aluminum pan could work on the steel pan as well. The pan rails are formed differently.

Nate_W · Apr 20, 2011

Hey, have you completed the mustang 2.3 engine swap? I've just bought a 1993 mustang 2.3 to put in my ranger. Did it bolt right up to the M50D tranny? Any issues doing the swap?

Fairlaniac · Apr 24, 2011

It worked well

I used my Ranger oil pan with a new Ranger oil pan seal. I think the p/n difference has to do with the Ranger having a sensor in the side of the pan. This makes the gasket p/n different as the kit includes the sensor seal. You'll find on the driver side tha tthe coil pack mounting points into the block that one is not tapped. So I have one less bolt holding it on. Depending on which valve cover you use you'll find some differences when fastening down things but there are no real heartaches. Go for it, you should have any big issues.

2.3 oil pan differences (Ranger vs. Mustang)

Fairlaniac

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