1996 Ranger 2.3l Blown Engine... Good Option?

[jonrood23]

I just bought a 1996 Ford Ranger 4x4 with a blown 2.3l engine and a 5spd transmission. In my hunt for an engine I've found a guy that has a 1998 Ranger with the 2.5l and a 5spd for sale for $350. I feel that it's a great deal because it only had 89k miles on it. It's still hooked up in the truck and I can run it and move it before I buy. From what I'm reading online the 2.5 is the same engine as my 2.3 and it should be a plug and play swap but I figured I would ask the experts first. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[The purple one]

If you get it, get as much of the wiring as you can.

 

[scotts90ranger]

you "might" be able to hook up the stock electronics to the engine and have it work, don't know if it's going to run lean because of the extra displacement or not... but to be safe I would grab the wiring as the purple one suggested...

 

[Ranger Kip]

where you at?

 

[Duane867]

Get the ecu and complete harness and you should be set.
all gauges and such should work fine.

 

[red85]

It will work. Take as much of the donor truck as you can and the job will be easier.

 

[jonrood23]

Thanx for all of the replies but there has been a change of plans. The guy with the engine decided not to sell! I have another option tho... I found a 2.3L out of a 1990 Ranger. It has 90k miles on it and runs good. He only wants $75 for it. From what I've read... The only difference between the my '96 2.3L and this '90 2.3L is the addition of the cam sensor. Now my question for you guys is... I know my manifolds will bolt right on which will take care of keeping alot of my sensors and vaccum lines in the same place but what about my brackets for my accessories like alternator,coil packs, power steering pump, etc? Are all the tapped holes in the block going to be in the same location so that I can just swap all of my stuff onto the new engine? Sorry for the long post and change of pace. Thanx again for the help.

 

[Duane867]

Your not getting the accessories complete on the block ?

 

[jonrood23]

Yes everything is there minus the alternator.

 

[Duane867]

Then what are you worried about your old brackets for ?
Use the set up already in place on the new engine.

 

[jonrood23]

Ok but what about. electrical connections/computer. Should i use the harness from the 90 motor and the computer from the 90 as well? Or should I use my computer and harness and in that case what about the 90 motor lacking the cam sensor that my 96 has? Sorry just covering all my bases because I live in an apartment building so everything gets done in the parking lot. I just want to know whats gotta be done that way theres as few surprises as possible when it comes time to swap.

 

[scotts90ranger]

the crank sensor setup is completely different between yours and the '90 engine, I don't remember how you go about swapping that on...

if you go about this, use your current computer and all wiring and everything, too much to change to go backwards.

 

[Duane867]

Could you look in a Haynes manual for the color coded wires running to it and splice the old in with the new that way ?

 

[jonrood23]

Thats just what I was thinking... Too much to go backwards. *Bag that Idea* Anybody in the Akron, Ohio area with a '95-'97 2.3L engine for sale?

 

[Duane867]

I would check you local bone yards if I were you.
Buy one complete and cheap rebuild it while its out or see if your current engine is worth rebuilding.