• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

1988 Ranger XLT 302 5.0 AOD Carb Swap, Ol’ Dirty Blue


TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Took the intake off. Almost bare. Needs a good clean down.

IMG_3383.jpeg
IMG_3384.jpeg
IMG_3385.jpeg
IMG_3386.jpeg
 

TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Starting to get hot in AZ. Is 96 today.

Was in the garage this morning and pulled the exhaust, valve covers, and heads. As well as vacuum most the dust and dirt around the engine.

PXL_20240421_182706693.MP.jpg
PXL_20240421_182712439.jpg
PXL_20240421_182715588.jpg
PXL_20240421_182720596.jpg
PXL_20240421_182731091.jpg
PXL_20240421_182737395.jpg
PXL_20240421_182739775.jpg
PXL_20240421_182742480.jpg
PXL_20240421_182748075.jpg
PXL_20240421_182752505.jpg
PXL_20240421_182757825.jpg
PXL_20240421_182802113.jpg


Lots of carbon buildup but the walls are smooth. Didn't ever turn it over yet since I got it just to be safe and glad I did.

I wasn't originally thinking about pulling the pistons and redoing everything but I may consider it. I have no idea how many miles are on this thing. Heads look good and golden brown so it's got that going for it.

May just say heck it and run it as well.
 

TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Long time no post. Heads were redone from the machine shop and parts are now trickling in.

Placed the redone heads on, new intake on, and getting everything ready for a first test fit. Had to sell one of my ex500 ninjas to get the money together for continuing the build but I have ordered pretty much everything to get the engine and trans sitting into the truck.

Got flexplate, bolts, starter, torque converter, rear main seal, paint for the engine, etc.

Hoping first test fit this next weekend. Will have to take the stock motor mounts off the truck and swap, and do the mods to the heater box and trans tunnel but shouldn't be too bad.

Anyway, here's the progress pictures of the engine as it stands now.

PXL_20240630_191248050.jpg
PXL_20240630_204144242.jpg
PXL_20240630_204152736.jpg
PXL_20240630_204200228.MP.jpg
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,879
Reaction score
4,932
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
You did at least rings and bearings on it, right? It would suck to put it in the truck and then find out you should have done them.
 

BorderKid

New Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Caldwell, OH
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
302 (in progress)
Transmission
Manual
Currently doing a carbed 302 swap into an 88 ranger but I went with the 5 speed and manual transfer case (keeping it 4wd). Following along, but great pictures of your progress!
 

That88Ranger

New Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2024
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Statesville, NC
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Hey all,

Recently got this XLT with a ruined wiring harness for a good deal. 1 owner vehicle in AZ so no rust other than surface.

Currently in progress for carb swapping the 2.3.

Parts list so far:
Weber 32/36
Racer Walsh adapter
Speedway motors distributor
Gm hei module
Pc-91 e coil
Fuel pressure regulator
Low pressure fuel sending unit (if needed)
Spacers for rims
2011 ford mustang 17in rims
New spark plugs
New battery
Stuff for oil change
Misc parts

Today I took the bed off to get to the sending unit. It’s been sitting since 2019 so will also drain the gas.

Currently have it registered and insured under classic car insurance so in AZ I can skip emissions.

View attachment 102726View attachment 102727View attachment 102728View attachment 102729View attachment 102730View attachment 102731View attachment 102732View attachment 102733View attachment 102734View attachment 102735View attachment 102736View attachment 102737View attachment 102738View attachment 102739View attachment 102740View attachment 102741View attachment 102742View attachment 102743View attachment 102744View attachment 102745
I know this might be a long shot, I got a ranger with same engine, only thing is it's missing something thats right next to the battery and it looks like a factory intake. I was wondering if you knew what it was because im completely lost. It looks like you have some sort of mesh tube with a hose clamp on it going somewhere I just need to know what its for
 

TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Wow I haven't been keeping up with this post for awhile now! I mostly post my stuff to my Facebook and Instagram but I've made a whole lot of progress.

The engines in and it runs and drives. I just need an exhaust made and some sensors for it but as it stands I did first fire up yesterday

Here's a video of how it is now

And I'll attach some progress pics over the last few months below going over getting the engine and trans together, getting them in the truck, swapping to manual steering box, and getting ready to get it running.
PXL_20240701_182733669.jpg
PXL_20240701_233505737.jpg
PXL_20240707_182445806.jpg
PXL_20240713_024331066.jpg
PXL_20240714_160548295.MP.jpg
PXL_20240714_160553323.jpg
PXL_20240714_170346421.jpg
PXL_20240721_193459769.jpg
PXL_20240721_193504991.jpg
PXL_20240727_221519244.jpg
PXL_20240727_221539903.jpg
PXL_20240728_034949625.jpg
PXL_20240729_180436059.jpg
PXL_20240805_222918710.jpg
PXL_20240805_222926822.jpg
PXL_20241028_233120641.jpg
PXL_20241201_192637020.jpg
PXL_20241201_192641805.jpg
PXL_20241201_194134683.jpg
PXL_20241202_193225421.jpg
PXL_20241218_233249754.jpg
PXL_20241225_212453840.jpg
PXL_20241225_212459970.jpg
 

TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Went ahead and rebuilt the carb today and now it seems to be running like a completely different engine!

Before it wasnt running great and falling on its face but now it sounds like a proper v8.

 

TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Exhaust mostly done (good for now). Went with a y from the try ys to a single exit and a cherry bomb.

I consider it for now able to run and drive. Took around 9 months from pulling the head on the 4 cylinder to the v8 swap.


PXL_20250127_224200881.jpg
PXL_20250127_224208885.jpg
PXL_20250127_224219717.jpg
 

Attachments

TimWick

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
37
Reaction score
31
Location
Arizona
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225 45 17
Did a 50 mile drive today to some light offroading and the range. Rode good no issues. Did highway and some hills without going above half temp even crawling along rocks.
PXL_20250128_191640667.jpg
PXL_20250128_191650702.jpg
PXL_20250128_191701747.jpg
PXL_20250128_191721453.jpg



2wd open dif 7.5 not great for anything deep or super rough but was still a lot of fun.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Year


Kirby N.
2024 Truck of The Year!

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Vagabond Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Top