2.3L ('83-'97) ‘88 OBD1 into ‘97 Ranger swap

[xliarsenickx]

Hello everyone I’m new to the site but I’ve been checking it out here & there for the last couple of months. I recently acquired a 1997 (2.3, 2wd, XL) Ranger from my brother who can no longer drive due to unfortunate circumstances and the other day I blew a hole out of the engine block (hydrolocked). And this hole is massive I don’t think I have any other choice but to replace the engine block. I have access to another 2.3 L from 1988 and I want to put it into my ‘97 but I’m not sure if I can do that because of the OBD incompatibilities (supposedly). Is there anyone out there that has experience with this sort of thing and could possibly tell me what I should look out for or at least point me in the right direction where I can find the information that I’m looking for?

 

[adsm08]

You should be able to use the 88 short block but you need the 97 head and peripherals.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The only problem is the '97 is expecting a cam sensor and the '88 block does not have the capability of using what is on the '97 with the relocated oil pump and whatever is going on at the auxiliary shaft on the newer ones... Even if you figured out a way to work the cam sensor (I haven't looked how it works, probably just a nub on the shaft) you would need to modify things to use the front seal housing from the '97 for the crank sensor

I think you're stuck with '96 to '01