Carbureted Small Block in 98+

[ap3x]

I've been going back a forth on build projects for a 2wd summer car/truck. I know I'm going to want a 302 with +/- 350hp in whatever I build. It's going to end up being an RX-7, Miata, or 4/5 dropped 98+ Ranger. What I'd like to do is pick up a block for cheap, bolt it up to a stand, and gradually put it together when I have the extra cash. That way I can have an engine ready to go so when the right roller comes by I can pick it up and know what I'm doing. Gas mileage and reliability are not factors on this build, and I want to build a carbureted engine. I would think that dropping a carb'd 302 in a 98+ Ranger and firing it up would be pretty simple. I would just use a set of custom gauges, pull the engine light, etc. and call it good. Am I wrong? Should I be pulling a 5.0 EFI out of a 'sploder at the junkyard instead?

 

[Teddyzee]

You can carb the Explorer engine if you choose.

Oh, and two birds with one stone: Carbed Explorer engine in '85 RX7

 

[dangerranger83]

/sex

Sent from my SGH-T499 using Tapatalk 2

 

[adsm08]

/sex

Sent from my SGH-T499 using Tapatalk 2

You either just made a vow of celibacy or jizzed in your pants.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can carb the Explorer engine if you choose.

Oh, and two birds with one stone: Carbed Explorer engine in '85 RX7

How fair is it a itty bitty RX7 has room for a mechanical fuel pump and a block mounted oil filter but a much larger pickup does not?

 

[ap3x]

I'll buy it!

 

[Teddyzee]

How fair is it a itty bitty RX7 has room for a mechanical fuel pump and a block mounted oil filter but a much larger pickup does not?

The oil filter IS the short one, though

And a mechanical fuel pumps fits a Ranger in the real world. It's only on the internet that it doesn't fit.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The oil filter IS the short one, though

And a mechanical fuel pumps fits a Ranger in the real world. It's only on the internet that it doesn't fit.

And here I was thinking my truck was real

Between the oil pressure sender, oil filter relocation hoses and steering box there is too much going on there even before the power steering pump entered the mix.

 

[Teddyzee]

And here I was thinking my truck was real

You're right.
Regarding a mechanical fuel pump I want to clarify that I read for years that it wasn't possible in a Ranger. Then I read that you could use an upside down pump from an Econoline application. Then, in recent years, I've seen pictures of Rangers with standard mechanical fuel pumps fitting and functioning just fine. I'm sure, like everything else, there are many variable involved, but definitely appears possible.