1989 2.3L - Can I replace an 8 plug head with a 4?

[rschultz999]

My daily driver just gave out on me and I need it back fast. Its a 1989 2.3L 8-plug, now with multiple cracks. I am wondering if I can set a 4-plug head on and go, or is there more mods that would need done? Thanks!

 

[Shran]

I believe you can but look at both heads and compare the exhaust and intake ports. I recall something about how the ports are different shapes so you would need to use the appropriate exhaust and intake manifolds as well. Probably easier to find a good 8 plug head though unless you have a good 4 plug head on hand already. I also don't know what you'd do with the extra coil pack and plug wires.

 

[Pauls 4x4]

Pretty sure you'd very quickly spend more than you propose to save. And BTW, did your timing belt break or it overheat?

If you overheated to the point it stalled make sure to check the cylinder walls for scuffs.

 

[turbo91xlt]

Go with another dual plug head. It'll be much easier in the long run then getting an earlier single plug head to work. The single plug heads use a different intake manifold which opens a whole can of worms such as ignition setups and such. (ignition module for the coil pack ignition mounts to the intake as a heat sink). Any '89-'94 Ranger or '91-'93 Mustang will have the head you need.

 

[RonD]

Never thought the 2.3l, 4 plug or 8 plug, head was prone to cracking.
As said if it was overheated enough to crack a 2.3l head there may be other issues that should be checked carefully.

And as others above have said you will be better off using another 8 plug head, plug and play.

4 plug "can be done" but intake and ignition issues would need to be addresses
Almost be better off swapping whole 4plug engine and computer with wiring harness into the 1989, if it "had to be done"

 

[turbo91xlt]

Yup, the early dual plug heads were very prone to cracking. My '91 2wd had a brand new head put on it back in '99 due to the original one cracking. Ended up porting that "new" head over this past summer for a turbo build for my '91 4x4. Dropped it off at the machine shop for a valve job where it past initial inspection... Wasn't until after the machinist hot tanked and bead blasted the head then remagnafluxed it that we found out it was junk...