289, 302, or 351?

[rusty ol ranger]

well think im pretty much decided still on the 302efi, and do a lil bit of work like cam and headers but not sure how far i want to go building it up, nebdy ever do like a 347 stroker efi in a ranger ?

I wouldnt go with EFI.

....you'll know why when your messing with a tangled mess of colored speghatti.

Personally id run a late 70's block with EFI heads and a nice big 500 or 600 CFM Edelbrock.

later,
Dustin

 

[rmn42689]

ya it does kinda make me nervouse but ive got better with wiring and stuff like that so i think ill be alright u know, thanks tho

 

[baddad457]

When i searched for that i ran across a thread on FTE where someone stated the 351 4bbl H.O used a roller cam. Didnt the 302 H.O use a roller cam? I dont see why the 351 woulda been different.

later,
Dustin

No rollers ever in carbed 351's from the factory. somewhere in 94 or 95 was when the 351 went roller. Long after the carbs were history.

 

[Scrambler82]

I did the '88 Ranger/5.0L swap a while back and it turned out to be the best drivable truck I have ever owned and would consider doing it again if I had the time.
I used the C4 but always wanted the 5-sp but not the T5, maybe the F-150 trans and T/C but...
I was thinking how about a NV3550 from a Jeep; not sure where that will leave me but the Jeep is short, the SWB Ranger is a little longer, things could work out ?

BUT, no matter what the next swap will be a '03 Ranger/289EFI, manual shifted trans... (smoke/thinking) what about a six-sp no, no, too much $$$$.

Luck on the swap,

 

[rmn42689]

ha ya that would be pretty sick tho, i just gota save some cash then ill start looking for motors or a parts f150

 

[Scrambler82]

Make sure to get the engine harness/computer (if you are running the same trans) from the donor vehicle.

Just to restate, IMHO, the wiring was not a big problem, time well spend laying out the harness on the floor, seeing where everything went ahead of time. The harness laid in as it come out of the original vehicle; I think there was a few wires that needed to be cut shorter but all in all a good setup.

Luck to ya, take your time and get it together first, then make the move.

Keep the site informed to your moves.

 

[rmn42689]

yea thats what i plan on doing, i wont do the swap till i have everything to drop it in...how does the 7.5 rea hold up with the 5.0? Like can u beat on it lol? im wondering cuz thats what will be in it till i get a 8.8

 

[Scrambler82]

I ended up using a C4 (wished it had OD) and both the original '88 axles (D28/7.5)
I think the auto absorbed a lot of the abuse both on the trails and for the smoke shows on the street.
IMHO it held up well under mild abuse.

Take you time do it right the first time and you will end up with a great truck with plenty of power to just about anything you want.

What about using a D35/8.8 out of an Explorer or Navajo, I know the Navajo had 31 spline axles and a limited slip in the 8.8, just think'n again.

Lots of Luck

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If your dead set on a 289 EFI...could you swap the intakes and stuff from a EFI 302, along with the computer and what not and make it run?

later,
Dustin

 

[bobbywalter]

its ignorant to put a carb in a wheeler when the best engines are already setup with efi.




best bet in this case for stated use imo is a 351 from say a 96 van. to run that base sytems requires the same wiring basics and less effort as to finding a steel gear dizzy to run the duraspark. generally speaking newer engines are easier to find with lower miles. finding a good running 4bbl 351 in low miles from an 80's pickup will be a project in itself. pretty much have to look for cop car engines.

 

[Scrambler82]

If your dead set on a 289 EFI...could you swap the intakes and stuff from a EFI 302, along with the computer and what not and make it run?

later,
Dustin

Not the best thing to do because you will need to have a Cam that has the correct timing for the EFI setup.
5.0L have a different degree of spacing on the cam, too much for me to go into, but stick to the 5.0L block if you can. You can buy any cam you want 289 or 302 so think it over first.
When looking for a Cam Shaft, think high lift, short duration, this type of profile will result in more low end power for the small block.

If you already have the 289 w/carb then go with it, it will be a lot easier to hookup to the electrics; the EFI can come later.

If you have the 5.0L already then stick with it, no real need to go 289 unless this is something you want.

Think it over.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

its ignorant to put a carb in a wheeler when the best engines are already setup with efi.

Dont really know how you figure that. The best engines were from the late 60's, with 10.1 compression and big carbs.

The 70's engines werent exactly powerhouses, but they made decent torque and were serisously overbuilt. Think about it, pumping 150HP through internals that were originally designed to handle 250+. Its like pulling a garden wagen with a superduty. No matter what you do to it your not going to tear it up.

later,
Dustin

 

[baddad457]

Not the best thing to do because you will need to have a Cam that has the correct timing for the EFI setup.
5.0L have a different degree of spacing on the cam, too much for me to go into, but stick to the 5.0L block if you can. You can buy any cam you want 289 or 302 so think it over first.
Think it over.

The cam profiles are pretty similar if you go with a setup from a late 80's Crown Vic. Firing order's the same. No reason a stock 289 wouldn't run right with a Crown Vic computer running it. A just as easy route is an EFI motor with a smallish carb. You get all the benefits of EFI, except for drastic altitude changes.

 

[Scrambler82]

Wasn't even thinking firing order, just the lope separation on the EFI Cam vs Carb Cam.

rmn42689,
What do you have ?

IMHO - If nothing then the simplest route is the 5.0L/Engine Harness/Computer from an early '90 Stang; find a 5 sp Stang that matches your milage requirements and have at it.
Unless you have a 289 already the 5.0L route is straight forward, will give you all of the power you need on a carb and will be reliable.

The 289 made from the 5.0L route is costly in that you need to find a Crankshaft that has the 289 stroke, 289 Connecting Rod/Pistons and a full circular rear main seal; it can be found but it will probably cost a few extra bucks.

KISS - keep it simple stupid (no offense) that is what will make your truck a Daily Driver.

Luck on your choice and the project,

 

[rmn42689]

Sry been busy this wkend but ya i think i decided to go 302 for sure, and carb it for rite now since it will be simple like u said...no offense taken there i understand that it be the easiest to get it in and running. I will eventually go with efi tho. Also i will be working on getting d35 and 8.8. I was wondering tho what manual 4x4 transmission/transfer case i could use with the 302 that will fit in the ranger?