Need Help on 2.3 replacement

[bdagle]

I have 2001 2.3 Ranger with manual trans. The motor is very very tired and I want to replace it. The information I can find on what will fit is very conflicting. Does the replacement engine have to be from a standard transmission truck? Will any 2.3 Duratec engine fit or does it have to be the 23NS made in Dearborn for this truck? Does the year that the engine was made make any differance? Thanks for any and all help! Brendan

[bdagle]

I know these Ford 2.3's are supposed to be almost industructable and mine only has 77K on it. What happened is that on the way home from a trip, I noticed that I was blowing lots of black smoke out the tail pipe. I didn't have any choice so I just drove it home. When I got home I worked for about two weeks trouble shooting the problem, everything looked OK and the computer showed no codes. Finally in desperation I removed the intake manifold and found that the swirl dampers were jamed closed and that the ball and socket from the actuater had seperated (You can't see this with the manifold on the engine). I was able to free up the dampers and repair the ball and socket. No more black smoke, but lots of blue smoke. The oil was way over full and contaminated with gasoline. I changed the oil, but it is burning at the rate of 1qt per 100 miles. I must have washed down the cylinder walls and ruined the rings.

[dorman68]

Here is info I got from a salvage interchange. These are what will fit your truck.

MAZDA B2300 2001-02 (2.3L, VIN D)
RANGER 2001-02 (2.3L, VIN D)

Electrical & induction parts may vary, compare and switch as necessary.