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the no choice build


85Drange

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ok i have 2 rangers the fixer is a 85 4x4 auto single cab long wheelbase dual tank with carbed 2.8
the donor is 86 5speed 4x4 single cab swb with efi2.9 has been flipped...

the motor in the 85 was slightly built bored .20 over ,line bored .10 over .
but 3 &4 rods are burnt but the motor is rebuildable.
im no matter what, doin the 5speed swap. what would be the best route ?
rebuild 2.8 or swap in 2.9. again i have no choice but to fix truck . apologies for the newbie post ,,all help,insights and advise is greatly appreciated
 


JoshT

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Was the 2.9L running good before flipping? How long has it sat? Have you tried to run it since rollover?

Did you mean #3 & #4 rods bent on the 2.8L? I've heard of pistons being burnt, but not rods. IMO if you have two bent rods, you are looking at a complete tear down and rebuild. With that much stress at one point on the crank it needs to be checked, and at minimum some new rods and bearings will be needed.

Having been through a 2.8L rebuild on a worn out motor with reusable parts, I wouldn't do it again unless it had sentimental value (that truck did). I say rebuilding these older, smaller V6s (2.8L or 2.9L) isn't worth it. If your 2.9L is working good swap it in and get on the road for minimal cash involved, keep in mind that it is an old motor and may need work in the future. If 2.9 is not so good part out as much as you can from the drive line of both trucks and find a cheap good running 4.0L donor.
 

Beef52751

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He means the rod bearings are burned up. Like they ran out of oil or spun. If it were me I would swap in the 2.9. Rebuilds get expensive fast
 

85Drange

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the bearing are spun i have the motor out n torn down but the 2.9 from the donor runs high in miles but doesnt smoke or rattle . any advice on goin from carbed to fuel injection
what about fuel and fire any advice would be greatly apreciated
 

JoshT

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Well then you should have said rod bearings. Even there, spun bearings is a much more common term to me than burnt bearings. How many miles are on this 2.8L? If it was a fairly fresh rebuild, it may be worth the time to pull it and have a machine shop look at the crank, mains, and rods. It'll depend on you machine shop, you need a place that can have it done in a day so you have time to put everything back together. If they are good and just needs new bearings it's a simple matter of replacing bearings and dropping the motor back in with you 5 speed already attached. If it didn't need full on rebuild it could be done quick and cheap. Rod bearings, main bearings, and a gasket set will have you back on the road. I'd probably consider an oil pump and pickup screen as well. If it needs full on rebuild, 2.9L is definitely going to be the way to go.

See your other thread I think I addressed many of your concerns there.
 

Beef52751

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If the bearing is burnt the crank needs attention....that alone around here will cost over $100 before you replace all the other bearings. Plus the rod will need resized or replaced. Trust me. Swapping in the 2.9 will be cheaper especially since you have the donor truck. I work in an engine shop and I promise fixing the 2.8 correctly is going to get expensive in a hurry.
 

85Drange

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my apologies .... im new to this . yes spun bearings and bad oil pump .
the motor was redone in 96 .
i have a feeling that im goin to have to take the 2.9 and take the wiring harnes brainbox and fuel lines off the donor and swap them with my 85 . all in the same time as swapping the auto trans for the manual. thanks for imput
 

FritzTKatt

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Dont forget the fuel pump. Im told its easier to locate the motor if it has the trans on it already. So youll have to figure out the wiring and what not before hand.

Column shifter still working from the donor?
 

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Dont forget the fuel pump. Im told its easier to locate the motor if it has the trans on it already. So youll have to figure out the wiring and what not before hand.

Column shifter still working from the donor?
A 2.9 should sit on the same mounts the same as a 2.8.

All first gens had floor shifters auto or manual. They do have different floor pans auto vs manual. The auto has a smaller hole for the shifters than a manual which should be pretty easy to work around going to a manual.

If the 2.8 lost oil pressure bad enough to burn rod bearings it is a write off.
 
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FritzTKatt

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Learning has occured... i knew they used the same mounts but i was talking about the ease of installation. I dont see how it can work out but apparently it does.
 

85Drange

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Im goin from auto carbed 85 with a 2.8 setup
taking 86 .f.I 5speed 2.9 motor and trans and putting in the 85
85 wasnlocked up ....2.8 is trashed
thanks
 

85Drange

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thanks for all insight
 

black_demon69

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what about a body swap instead
of coarse if the frame is still straight
 

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