Hoosierman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2024
- Messages
- 70
- Reaction score
- 29
- Location
- Indiana
- Vehicle Year
- 1988
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Manual
As it stands, I'm fairly certain I will perform the Duraspark conversion. I'm more about that than I am a V8 swap, and I love a good V8 as much as the next guy.Just leave it for the time being. Your first focus is to see if you can get the engine to start and run, and see if the truck is drivable.
I seriously doubt that you will be able to get all of the original engine management system restored, and working correctly. The computer-controlled carburetor, the solenoids and sensors it used, barely worked right when these trucks were new. Some of the parts are now almost impossible to find.
I'm hoping that you'll get lucky, and find that it will run, or make what's there run decent enough to make the truck a runner. So that it can at least be driven and enjoyed.
Honestly, the best thing that you can do, is to read up on the Duraspark conversion, and start actively looking for the parts that you'll need, to do just that.
When I first got my '84 Ranger 2.8 in 2004, I was determined to keep it stock, and make the original stuff work. I even bought the Ford training book for the 2.8. That was a fool's errand; it was a crappy management system design to begin with, and with the age and lack of parts I was just jousting windmills.
I Durasparked it, and never looked back. It was like a completely new truck.
But again, I'm hoping that luck is with you, and you can get what's there at least drivable.
I really only get to tinker around with the toys on weekends, but I think I will start with investigating the NSS and putting in a new Fuel Pump since I have one that came with the truck.