1983 2.8l v6 swap options

[Doctormario777]

I've got a persistent oil leak that I've gotten fed up trying to chase down on my 1983 ranger. I'm afraid the block may be cracked. I was wondering what engines I could swap this one for? The truck is 2x4 and has the stock trans.

Would a newer 4 cylinder ranger engine work? I'm looking for reliability and fuel economy. Not really power or towing ability.

 

[RonD]

Problem with newer is it would need a PCM(engine computer) for fuel injection and probably for distributor-less ignition.

Doable but ...... might be worth looking at a newer truck vs. putting money in that kind of upgrade for the older truck.

Fuel injection does improve mileage but not a whole lot if carb engine is well maintained.

 

[Twister]

If you go with a 4 cylinder, you will have to switch transmissions. The 4 cylinder and the v6's use a different bellhousing pattern. With any newer engine, you are going to have to deal with swapping over to fuel injection instead of carbureation, or you could swap in an earlier I4. I would just find a nicer newer 2.8 and swap that in as it would be a direct bolt in and go.

Sent from, wait how did this get here?

 

[remnutt]

remnutt

carbed 302 and C4 auto will fit

 

[Doctormario777]

Not too interested in the V8 swap. Like I said, fuel efficiency is pretty important to me.

Do any of you guys know if a 2.9L v6 from the late 80s rangers will drop in?

 

[1986fordranger]

unfortunately the 2.9s are EFI (electronic fuel injection) so you'd be looking at alot of wiring to make the engine run , however a carbed 2.0 or carbed 2.3 would work , or a newer 2.3 or 2.5 with EFI could be converted with a carbed intake and carb and wire in the distributor less ignition , as for your transmission you should either have a 4 or 5 speed manual whitch has a removable bellhousing , you can just go to either a dealer (if they still sell them) or a junk yard and grab a 4cyl bellhousing from a similar year ranger and your good to go