• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

reliability?


Rusty_Ranger

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2007
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1983
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
is the old 2.8 a reliable engine for a daily driver??? and is there any tricks to keeping it reliable other then proper matinance?
 


JoshT

JoshT

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,873
Reaction score
1,734
Points
113
Location
Macon/Fort Valley, GA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
IMHO if the engine is in good shape, and you properly maintain it and make necessary adjustments then yes. On-the-other-hand you have to keep in mind that the newest 2.8 is over 20 years old now, and that they are based on a design that's almost 35 years old.
 
84Ranger4X4

84Ranger4X4

New Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
59
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Vacaville, CA
Vehicle Year
1984 and 1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.8 and 2.3
Transmission
Manual
Mine is daily driven and has 272,xxx on the original engine. All I do is change the oil and airfilter and add a can of engine restorer to it at every oil change.
 

enginepaul

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
426
Reaction score
12
Points
18
Location
Northern California
Vehicle Year
1995, 2001, 200
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.8
Transmission
Automatic
Very reliable engine.
No special tricks to keep it going.
 
85_Ranger4x4

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,338
Reaction score
17,822
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Rusty_Ranger said:
is the old 2.8 a reliable engine for a daily driver??? and is there any tricks to keeping it reliable other then proper matinance?
Click to expand...
Its reliablity resembles that of a hammer. Just keep oil in it and don't get it hot and it will last you a long time. That is of course if you lose all the computer controlled junk on it and run a non feedback carb and duraspark it.
 
skippy

skippy

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
4,901
Reaction score
38
Points
0
Age
67
Location
Georgia,USSA
Vehicle Year
1983
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.8l durasparked rice killer
Transmission
Manual
i have a 2.8 that is still going after 25 yrs and 3 owners.
 
OilPatch197

OilPatch197

New Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2007
Messages
1,400
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Age
95
Vehicle Year
1984/87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
enginepaul said:
Very reliable engine.
No special tricks to keep it going.
Click to expand...
I would however replace the FIBER camshaft timing gear....

Mine just literally blew apart on my way home from work a few years ago, replaced it with aftermarket aluminum gear.

That is the only mechanical problem I've had with the 2.8, most of my problems with the 2.8 is the ignition/electical system, but that needs upgraded to the Duraspark conversion and the replacement of that rear solenoid regulator on the carb with a custom valve,you shouldbe good to go!

and that mysterious "10 tooth starter gear" mod, but I am nit-picking. :p
 
JoshT

JoshT

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,873
Reaction score
1,734
Points
113
Location
Macon/Fort Valley, GA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
"10 tooth starter gear" what's up with that? Did you break a few off.
 

Rusty_Ranger

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2007
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1983
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
what do i need to do to get rid off all the "computer controled junk and convert to dura spark". the truck is a 83 if that helps
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Total: 695 (members: 4, guests: 691)

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

Hunters
20240409_190831.jpg
20240409_190818.jpg
20240409_180824.jpg
20240409_182648.jpg
20240409_181010.jpg
20240408_175026.jpg
99 Ranger
20200706_161414.jpg
20240207_155117.jpg
20240207_155111.jpg
20240207_154537 - Copy.jpg

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top