1990 Ranger 302 swap

[JokerLS240]

I finished a 302/5.0 swap in a 1990 Ranger back in December and thought I would share my experience. I didn't get a lot of pics, so this won't be a step-by-step, but I can definitely answer any questions with how it went for me.

Details:

- Rebuilt 1997 Explorer short block
- Flotek 180cc heads w/ 1.90/1.60 valves
- Summit stainless steel 1.6 roller rockers
- Summit 8902 cam w/ new lifters
- Used eBay dual plane intake
- Aces EFI Killshot Fusion TBI
- eBay early Mustang tri-y headers
- Explorer front accessories and brackets
- eBay 2-row Ranger V8 swap radiator
- Ranger V6 rubber mounts with modified steel plates from the Explorer
- T5 transmission (new)
- Foxbody Mustang flywheel, clutch and starter (new)
- Hydraulic slave kit from DazeCars
- Raised trans crossmember from RicksRangerz
- Driveshaft from an early 4-cylinder Ranger (can't remember if gen 1 or 2)
- 7.5" rear axle with 3.73 LSD from gen 1 Ranger
- SVE 1993 Cobra R replica wheels with 245/45R17 Mickey Thompsons

 

[franklin2]

Run ok? How many different gears can you break the tires loose?

 

[JokerLS240]

Well... not many since I put the TBI kit on it. There are still some bugs I need to get worked out. I'm hoping to get it tuned soon.

I know it has potential, though. Even with the original 3.45 open diff and going "easy" during break-in, it would spin through 2nd on a carb. I just put the 3.73's in a week ago and it feels grippier with the Mickey T's.

Now the truck needs new suspension bushings that I haven't gotten around to.

Basically it's still a work in progress.

 

[bobbywalter]

always a work in progress

 

[JokerLS240]

always a work in progress

Honestly, I don't think I'd have it any other way. Seems like I get bored with it when I don't have something to do to it.

 

[bobbywalter]

absolutely.


done enough just means i can drive around.

 

[bobbywalter]

i am good with done enough.

 

[JokerLS240]

i am good with done enough.

I'm with you there. Somehow I've already put put 1600 mi on this one since a week before Christmas.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well... not many since I put the TBI kit on it. There are still some bugs I need to get worked out. I'm hoping to get it tuned soon.

Like what do you have going on for bugs with the TBI?

 

[JokerLS240]

Like what do you have going on for bugs with the TBI?

Timing isn't right and sometimes it goes rich when I give it throttle. When I let off the throttle and push the clutch in to shift, sometimes RPMs hang before going down. Little things that a tuner would be able to fix.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

In case someone else is curious down the road what you have for a distributor...

Post in thread 'Aces Killshot Fusion EFI Swap'

Saturday at 10:05 AM

I originally started with an RTR distributor from Blueprint and converted it to bypass the internal ignition module. You can order connectors for mag pickups that plus into the Aces VR plug. I'm pretty sure it's just an MSD part.

Here is how mine is wired:

• JokerLS240

I fought the rev hang thing with my carb, it was the air filter mounting gasket lol. It is incredibly annoying for sure.