1986 Ranger 2.3 swap or rebuild

[Boltz1011]

Hi, I used to be around here years and years ago, but I eventually sold all of my Bronco 2s. Now I'm looking at buying a 2wd 86 Ranger with a carbureted 2.3L engine that is 'blown up', but not locked up. The truck is in very nice shape, only needs an engine I'm told. I am going to look at it Saturday. My question is, would it be worth rebuilding the 2.3 assuming nothing is too damaged or should I dive straight into a 302 swap? Is the increased weight of a 302 going to be a hindrance just street driving? Open to suggestions.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Carbureted '86 pretty much guarantees a 2.0L not 2.3L... almost all the same parts other than the pistons and rings I believe though so about the same...

It really depends on what their definition of "blown up" is, Limas don't generally "blow up" unless something dumb happens and then it's somewhat catastrophic. Not saying it wouldn't be possible to have stuck rings or a burnt valve...

 

[Boltz1011]

Carbureted '86 pretty much guarantees a 2.0L not 2.3L... almost all the same parts other than the pistons and rings I believe though so about the same...

It really depends on what their definition of "blown up" is, Limas don't generally "blow up" unless something dumb happens and then it's somewhat catastrophic. Not saying it wouldn't be possible to have stuck rings or a burnt valve...

Yeah, that's what I assumed about the carbureted 2.3. Maybe it's been swapped in in the past. I haven't went to look at the truck but it's had a lot of work done.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I know there's a way to tell the difference fairly easily but there's not many Lima people around here anymore unfortunately... Mechanically they're dumb simple and easy to freshen up for those that are comfortable enough, if it just needs a refreshing I wouldn't be afraid of doing one... heck I threw together a turbo 2.3L out of spare parts in my driveway in '15 just doing a dingle ball hone, new rings, ARP rod bolts (not necessary, I just lost a couple rod nuts at 5000rpm and threw a rod so was overthinking it) and new bearings and it still runs great, sure I would have done it better if I could but was on a time crunch...

 

[Boltz1011]

I know there's a way to tell the difference fairly easily but there's not many Lima people around here anymore unfortunately... Mechanically they're dumb simple and easy to freshen up for those that are comfortable enough, if it just needs a refreshing I wouldn't be afraid of doing one... heck I threw together a turbo 2.3L out of spare parts in my driveway in '15 just doing a dingle ball hone, new rings, ARP rod bolts (not necessary, I just lost a couple rod nuts at 5000rpm and threw a rod so was overthinking it) and new bearings and it still runs great, sure I would have done it better if I could but was on a time crunch...

I've done my fair share of work. Not afraid of a rebuild. I've done a 4.0 swap into an 84 bronco 2 in the past. Here's to hoping it's a 2.3 and not a 2.0.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Worst case is you can just put a 2.3L long block under the 2L head which at worst would have smaller valves... block selection from Rangers is fairly open, '86-94 would be easiest, '86 would have a steel oil pan I believe, '87-94 should be aluminum, '89-94 have a different front seal housing but just use the pan and housing that came with the engine...

Cylinder heads get goofy as there's 3 or 4 intake patterns... the distributor hole went away sometime in '94. '86 was the first year of the "small journal" blocks which changes the main bearings and was the year the oil pan gasket changed

 

[Heather’s94]

I have a wrecked 92 parts roach with a fuel infested 2.3 that I don’t need. You’re welcome to come pull it, Brighton (ne of Memphis) TN.

Heck, I’ll throw in the hood, passenger fender, complete manual doors and complete 60/40 seats for the same low price of “You pull them, you can have them”

 

[Boltz1011]

I have a wrecked 92 parts roach with a fuel infested 2.3 that I don’t need. You’re welcome to come pull it, Brighton (ne of Memphis) TN.

Heck, I’ll throw in the hood, passenger fender, complete manual doors and complete 60/40 seats for the same low price of “You pull them, you can have them”

That's a fantastic offer and I appreciate it. If it were closer I would. Unfortunately that's about 11 hours away from me. If someone else has that deal closer to Raleigh, NC, let me know

 

[Heather’s94]

No worries. I’m putting the 7’ bed on an old boat trailer, already put the rear bumper on my 94, the rest is up for grabs. Free to whoever is willing to come pull whatever.

 

[Boltz1011]

Carbureted '86 pretty much guarantees a 2.0L not 2.3L... almost all the same parts other than the pistons and rings I believe though so about the same...

It really depends on what their definition of "blown up" is, Limas don't generally "blow up" unless something dumb happens and then it's somewhat catastrophic. Not saying it wouldn't be possible to have stuck rings or a burnt valve...

Just wanted to give an update. I ended up buying this truck. VIN matches for a 2.3, sticker under hood matches for 2.3 and it is definitely carbureted. I haven't seen anything yet to indicate it was swapped from EFI to carb.

Truck supposedly had a blown head gasket when he bought it, he put a new one in and it blew again so he sold it. Engine has pace setter headers, holley carb and the video of it running before the head gasket blew again sounded like it also might have a cam.

 

[SenorNoob]

Is that a wire nut in the far back right corner of the engine bay? Also what is the gauge thing in the hose? 1st guess fuel pressure gauge and (adjustable?) regulator.

Since 86 is supposed to be the 1st year of fuel injection, I could see some early models still having a carb. I would've thought that would run afoul of EPA regulation even then though.

 

[Boltz1011]

Is that a wire nut in the far back right corner of the engine bay? Also what is the gauge thing in the hose? 1st guess fuel pressure gauge and (adjustable?) regulator.

Since 86 is supposed to be the 1st year of fuel injection, I could see some early models still having a carb. I would've thought that would run afoul of EPA regulation even then though.

The wire nut is a hot wire. I'm not sure what it's for and neither was the guy I bought it from. And yes, gauge is for fuel pressure. In the 3rd picture you can see it has a manual fuel pressure regulator right before the gauge as well.

 

[SenorNoob]

Definitely some non-factory things going on there.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I think carb was an option for a bit after fuel injection came in, especially in Canada, nothing is set in stone... heck the 2.0L was offered through '89 in Canada although I haven't seen any of those come through the site that I've paid attention to at least...

 

[scotts90ranger]

And on the headgasket keeping blowing, I would get the head surfaced, it's likely warped, unless it's cracked between the valves like they like to do... depends on if it's losing compression or just losing coolant...