2.9 Gone Bad - Need some opinions

[Brandon12]

So I kinda messed up my 2.9 in my 88 ranger. I thought I blew a head gasket so I tore my engine apart. I drained the oil and it looked like chocolate milk. Same thing inside the valve covers and everything else. I got the heads off and one of them was warped and most of the water ports were clogged really bad on the block. Also I have had the same spark plug fouling out every other week and having to put a quart of oil in once a week. So im thinking it would be just as cheap, if not cheaper, and just as easy to throw a 4.0 in it. Opinions?

 

[Psychopete]

So I kinda messed up my 2.9 in my 88 ranger. I thought I blew a head gasket so I tore my engine apart. I drained the oil and it looked like chocolate milk. Same thing inside the valve covers and everything else. I got the heads off and one of them was warped and most of the water ports were clogged really bad on the block. Also I have had the same spark plug fouling out every other week and having to put a quart of oil in once a week. So im thinking it would be just as cheap, if not cheaper, and just as easy to throw a 4.0 in it. Opinions?

Cheapest and easiest would be a j/y 2.9L.

But right now would be an ideal time to do a 4.0L swap if you have the time, money, and patience. And if you planned to do it anyway in the future.

Pete

 

[Hahnsb2]

If you have something else to drive, find a running sploder/ranger parts rig for cheap and do a 4.0 swap.

 

[Brandon12]

Its my only vehicle and school starts soon. But it would be nice to have the extra power.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Well, if you don't have anything else to drive I'd suggest finding another 2.9, I just sold mine saturday for $75, although Snohomish is a ways north of here it would have been a direct replacement for your truck.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

If you are willing pay shipping I can help you out with all the "other" parts to do a 4.0 swap. All that's needed is a good 4.0 Long block and she's run like a champ. I have a descripion in the classifieds.

I personally owened 3 2.9s before my 4.0 and let me tell you, the 4.0 should have been the only V6 option since the first 2.8 was ever put in a ranger.

If your planning on doing it "sometime" just do it now, squeeze a few extra bucks, and don't bother wasting any more money on the 2.9

 

[Brandon12]

What would the other parts be?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Basically, you need the motor, engine harness, computer, starter, power steering lines, fuel lines, power distrubution harness (from donor) and old 2.9 engine harness to wire the ranger harness to the 4.0 harness, basically using a running donor is the way to do it.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

What would the other parts be?

A good block with good heads, and the 2.9 harness that's already in your truck. I have the rest. But with shipping, you might be better off finding a cheap POS 4.0 donor

 

[Brandon12]

Yeah, your kinda on the opposite side as me haha

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Yeah, It's quite a walk for the mail man

 

[Brandon12]

Will the flywheel from the 2.9 fit on the 4.0?

 

[BlackBII]

Will the flywheel from the 2.9 fit on the 4.0?

Yes, and the clutch will too, I'm not sure if you have a manual tranny or not...But I can tell ya the 2.9 clutch won't appreciate the 4.0's torque for too long

Edit: Up to a certain year I believe, what year will the 4.0 be coming from?

Didn't it change from 6 bolts to 8 at one point?

 

[Brandon12]

yeah i got a manual. Thanks for the answer. And what year would be the best to take the engine out of for the 4.0?

Someone told me a 93 once but had no reasons.

 

[BlackBII]

90-94 years will be the easiest on the wiring, I swapped a 94' into an early '89 truck and there were only a few wiring issues, I know HansB2 just did a 4.0 swap into an 88', i would ask him about what wiring issues he had.