Ford 2.8 listed as one of worst car engines of all time

[SR185]

This article I came across is a couple of years old: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0408phr_worst_automobile_engines/index.html

Here's what they say about the Ford 2.8: "Offered in the downsized Mustang and Capri, as well as Ranger pickups, the Ford 2.8 remains a rickety memory. With a double-barrel reputation based on its noisy solid-lifter valvetrain and cracked cylinder heads, the 2.8 should be commended only for offering World Products the ability to profit from its shortcomings. When World chose to build all-new Ford V-6 heads as replacements for the factory parts, we doubt even they could have predicted it would become their most-popular seller. In a product line armed with some of the best aftermarket performance cylinder heads ever cast, the lowly Ford 2.8 V-6 replacement outsold 'em all. That should tell you how bad the factory design was."

interesting.

 

[dangerranger83]

For such a bad engine, I love it. They can easily do 300,000+ miles, with proper care and the required tune ups. And as for a lifter making noise, its something I have learned to love about it. People can say what they want about it, but it won't change my mind on keeping mine.

 

[RumpRangerSTX]

well i had two 2.8 and i beat the living shit out of both of them and they still kept runnin but the 2.9 i had it was a pile of junk but that is my opion

 

[martin]

I don't remember anyone ever having cracked heads on a 2.8, lots of 2.9's though. gear driven cam, solid lifter, you can't beat that.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I have to admit the EEC-IV with the feedback carb and TFI ignition combination was not one of there brighter ideas. Too much too go wrong, but with the duraspark conversion and 2150 non feedback carb on my 83 ranger has been good to me so far.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I challenge anyone to find a tougher engine than a durasparked 2.8. Mine has been hot, ran out of oil, ran like a borrowed mule... it has done everything I have asked of it and a lot more than it should have. Heck, it think it has been about 8 years ago it go low enough on oil to die... still running pretty good today.

Anything cracks heads, and to my knowlage the 2.8 wasn't any more common than anything else.

I think they have the 2.9 lumped in there with the heads, they have to.

 

[84stealthranger]

2.8 is a tank i hold it to rev limiter doing burn outs and rev it to 4-5 grand on a daily basis. yeah it burns oil and the valve seal r junk but i put a quart of oil in every couple weeks and it keeps going.

 

[The_Dealer]

so where can i get a set of these world products heads??? i know the sbf ones kick ass

 

[jhammel85]

Definitely a good engine...Nothing wrong with it or any of the other cologne engines IMHO. I guess they all have their weak spots just like any other engine though. Still doesnt make it a bad motor.

 

[Caliray]

2.8 Is A Beast!

I had a 2.8 in my 84 & 85 ranger and those were the 2 best trucks I ever owned! I beat the crap out of both of them at Pismo Beach on pretty much a daily basis! I give the 2.8 liter ranger a 9 out of 10 because this is an unbreakable machine! MOB IT!

 

[BlackBII]

I hated my 2.8.

Worst motor I've ever had to work on.

 

[cammeddrz]

I hated my 2.8.

Worst motor I've ever had to work on.

had 3 of 'em......hated them all

 

[fastpakr]

There have been better engines over time, and the 2.8 heads weren't bulletproof by any means. However, it's the 2.9's that were more known for the problem, and I don't actually recall World Products making a 2.8 head. Definitely sounds like they're combining the two engines problems for their write-up.

 

[Twister]

Never had a problem with mine, it lacks power but gets me where i need to go with no problems.

 

[H munster]

My 2.8 did everything I asked it to do even when I shouldnt have asked. Got me home when it shouldnt have and kept ticking. I loved it. Never a problem except reman starters with the wrong tooth count.