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Has anyone stroked there 2.9?


PetroleumJunkie412

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Very easy all-in. Probably cheaper to have staples print and bind the pdf VS finding the book at this point.

2.9 and 4.0 bottom ends do not die. Like, unless you abuse the sh*t out of it, they do not die. One of mine was run with two cracked heads and no oil for a few hundred miles. Piston bores are shot, but bottom end is trustworthy after new bearings IMO.

Most of the modifications done to Colognes are focused on their weaknesses: cooling, and intake runner flow. Most of them have sh*tty exhaust ports as well - euro 2.8i has siamese rear ports, American 2.8c has rear twin ports, and 2.9 and 4.0 have far too big of ports.

Other problem is coolant flow. 2.9 and early 4.0 have glass heads due to bad exhaust manifolds and thin castings. 2.6 and 2.8 just don't flow coolant to their heads. Pruett actually recommends drilling the heads and block with a drill to let coolant flow. I'll be punching my gaskets out on my rebuild for the same reason. Does it work? Dunno. If I post that my engine shot six pistons through the pan, or doesn't, we will know.

Were I you, I'd get it running perfectly first.

Next, I'd see if I had 86 or 89tm heads. If you have 86tm, I'd start hoarding parts - high volume oil pump, cloyes timing set, aftermarket heavy duty heads (have them ported - Pruett gives awesome instructions), stainless valves, double stack valve springs, 89tm rocker assemblies and have spacers made, merkur intake (SO MUCH BETTER THAN RANGER), catch can, new cam and spin-proof bearings, JBA headers, kemso 340lph fuel pump (more of a reliability thing), shot peened and deburred factory rods, deburred pistons, etc etc. And slide an aftermarket ecm in there somewhere.

Do a ton of research on cams and lifters. That's a big failure point for all colognes.

Flow your heads, port and polish your intakes, remove egr wart from exhaust ports, assemble as a deep breathing engine, and let it run its ass off to do everything - they're happiest working hard at mid to high range rpm.
 


PetroleumJunkie412

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Oh. And from experience, even half of this stuff done? You're going to need a 10" clutch.
 

1987ranger12394

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I've got the fm145 that I'm trying to replace. I replaced my heads with some heavy duty aftermarket heads so from valves up is new or rebuilt. I port matched the uper and lower intake manifold as well and have a new fuel system injectors to tank.
 

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Here we go.... You will probably get a 2.9L mafia ring now... and an invite to the circle jerk as well.
 

1987ranger12394

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Here we go.... You will probably get a 2.9L mafia ring now... and an invite to the circle jerk as well.
I just dont have the time needed to fab up a v8 install as much as I'd like too.

Plus if those euro boys can do it I can do it better. MERICA!
 

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There went your hopes for a ring...

I did one years ago... it was a lot of fun.
 

1987ranger12394

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Well from what I'm reading you get more bang for your buck out of the 2.9 turbo option
 

Uncle Gump

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Well from what I'm reading you get more bang for your buck out of the 2.9 turbo option
The V8 stuff is everywhere... solid reliable power.

Also for as good as they may be... they have some serious short falls too.
 

Uncle Gump

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I just dont have the time needed to fab up a v8 install as much as I'd like too.

Plus if those euro boys can do it I can do it better. MERICA!
This...

If you don't have time to do a V8 swap with off the shelf stuff... you really don't have the time to do a 2.9L. PJ has over a year worth of research alone... and it hasn't made smoke in turbo form yet.
 

fastpakr

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Exactly.

I have lots of love for people doing wild things with 2.9's (or any other engine). But if you don't have time for a V8 swap, you definitely don't have time to go experimental on a 2.9.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Whole point of mine became refining and making a cologne build accessible. So far I've posted the megasquirt tunes I run, and lots of how to stuff.

I need to get some of the cad files I have uploaded to the tech section. Eventually would love to write up a 'how to' start to finish with blueprints of parts to build or alter, etc. I have the pile of notes, just need work to slow down.

The process has been exhausting. Means a lot to me that yall recognize the amount of work I've put in. ??
 

1987ranger12394

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This...

If you don't have time to do a V8 swap with off the shelf stuff... you really don't have the time to do a 2.9L. PJ has over a year worth of research alone... and it hasn't made smoke in turbo form yet.
I dont have time to fab. As much as it seems off the shelf I dont see any 'kits' floating around for 302s. Gm ls based motors shure but not 302's. I'm not looking to spend hrs looking through forums finding one or two posts a page that helps me find a wining manual 4x4 302 that will fit in my ranger with little modifications and little or no custom wireing. I am industrial mechanic and electrical technician and dont really care to spend forever applying my trade at home. If there was a hey do this exact setup it will work for you page I'd love to see it. I have funds to work with what's already made to go in it.
No offense intended I get that most people probably waist your time. I really like my ranger and finally have the income to support my hobby. So I'm trying to do something that works for me and the time I do have to put in it. At the moment it's not worthwhile for me to invest in a custom swap I've never done before. I'd hate to put money into a 302 swap and it not work out for me.
 
Last edited:

1987ranger12394

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Whole point of mine became refining and making a cologne build accessible. So far I've posted the megasquirt tunes I run, and lots of how to stuff.

I need to get some of the cad files I have uploaded to the tech section. Eventually would love to write up a 'how to' start to finish with blueprints of parts to build or alter, etc. I have the pile of notes, just need work to slow down.

The process has been exhausting. Means a lot to me that yall recognize the amount of work I've put in. ??
You were the deciding factor on going the 2.9 route for me. Paving the way so to speak
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
You were the deciding factor on going the 2.9 route for me. Paving the way so to speak
No joke, that's a weird feeling ??

Keep us posted, and update the crap out of that build thread!

Oh and megasquirt was single greatest improvement. Diagnostics alone make it worth it.
 

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