Searching for 2.9 casting numbers

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Hey all, this is a bit of a research.... thing

Needing some of the casting codes from 2.9 engines. There's four I'm particularly interested in, along with if your block has the NPT plugs in the back near pistons 3 and 6.

The codes I'm looking for specifically are:

the part number (driver side between 5 and 6)

front tattoo directly behind timing coverr, driver side

GIant letter stamp on passenger side by dizzy hole, and casting number on bottom passenger side, directly above oil pan

NPT plugs look like this:

Right behind freeze plug, far right. Both sides of mine have it.



Needing info as I'm starting my rebuild within the next few weeks (machine shop has a two week backlog).

Rumor has it that ranger blocks are 86tm/89tm and euro/scorpio is 87tm. My engine is an 87tm, so trying to figure out if this is a true thing. Merkur guys are telling me that the main bearings in Merkur VS ranger are different. Would like to not have to learn that one the hard way ?

Oh, and if you could include the year, type, and which assembly yours was built at, that would be extremely helpful.

This one is a 1988 truck, built November 1987, cast July 1987, Kentucky assembly, 4wd x cab.

 

[Paulos]

@PetroleumJunkie412
I don't think you have anything to worry about (...every day I worry all day...). I don't know about the original 2.9 in my '87 Ranger (the exhaust manifold is probably hiding the drivers side number), but the block I'm going to rebuild appears to be an 87TM also. It had an EGR on it when I bought it, and I was told it was an '87.

I know Rock Auto is no authority on this type of thing, but they are showing the same bearings for the Mercur 2.9 and Ford 2.9.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Freaking love you!!

Did you rebuild yours, or swap for another??

 

[Paulos]

Freaking love you!!

Did you rebuild yours, or swap for another??

I'm still using the original motor (minus heads) in my Ranger. I bought another engine to temporarily swap while I rebuilt the original block. But I soon discovered that I had been lied to regarding the condition of the 2.9 I bought. I took those pics when I got home from work today, so I need to get it to the machine shop. Though, I have considered trying to find a short block from a reputable shop, as I already have new heads that I bought from J&C a year ago.

I've had very little ticking from mine, so after hearing all the bad things about ticking 2.9's I'm still a little paranoid about rebuilding a different block.