1997 ranger with 4/97 production date...2.5?

[robmedina]

do I have a 2.3L or 2.5L in my 97 ranger? Please help...

So I have been taking my truck to my mechanic since I bought it for oil changes (trying to share the love since I can afford to have someone else do it) but recently (I wont go into why) I have decided to do them myself.
Last oil change was the first time I did it. I went to autozone and bought the oil and filter and came home and found out I had the wrong size filter. I took it back and told the counter person that they gave me a short fat one but mine was actually a little longer and much skinnier. The manager said I must have a late production 97 and it is more than likely a 98 2.3 and gave me the correct filter.
So today I go into pepboys and picked out the filter myself, I looked up 98 ranger with a 2.3...well aparently there are no filters for a 98 2.3 only a 98 2.5.. Well this is the correct filter for my truck, so when I got home I looked at all the stickers- inside the drivers door, under the hood and everything says 2.3 but why do I have a filter for a 2.5?
Either it is a goof on Ford's part OR my engine has been replaced with a 2.5 at some point before I bought the truck.
I dont care either way, but it would be nice if I could find out what year and for sure it is a 2.5 so that when I order parts I am not screwing myself.
Anyway for me to find that out? are there any engine markings etc?
I am going to go out and take a pic, will load shortly.

 

[robmedina]

here are some pics of the engine bay-

 

[modelageek]

. I went to autozone and bought the oil and filter and came home and found out I had the wrong size filter. I took it back and told the counter person that they gave me a short fat one but mine was actually a little longer and much skinnier. The manager said I must have a late production 97 and it is more than likely a 98 2.3 and gave me the correct filter.
.

take all the info you get for AZ with a grain of salt...........the 97 came with the 2.3 and the 98 came with the 2.5.........the main difference between the 2.5 and the 2.3 is the stoke is a little longer on the 2.5 and the head is a little better than the 2.3......You did not say what filter you got I would stay away from fram........motorcraft is the preferred and you can get them cheap at walmart........Puralator is good also....

I think you can use a motorcraft fl1A filter........that looks like the 2.3 my guess is you just accidentally bought the wrong filter..........

 

[scotts90ranger]

the blocks are the same, as long as the filter fits, use it... don't over think something not horribly important...

 

[robmedina]

the blocks are the same, as long as the filter fits, use it... don't over think something not horribly important...

Thanks, and that is probably what I am doing. I bought the truck used so it would not surprise me that the engine could have been replaced. I just wanted to make sure I got the right parts in the event something needed to be replaced (that I already haven't done)

 

[scotts90ranger]

unless you replace the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons or computer they are basically the same as far as a '96-97 2.3 and '98-01 2.5 go, most external parts should be interchangeable.

 

[pcollins]

So I have been taking my truck to my mechanic since I bought it for oil changes (trying to share the love since I can afford to have someone else do it) but recently (I wont go into why) I have decided to do them myself.
Last oil change was the first time I did it. I went to autozone and bought the oil and filter and came home and found out I had the wrong size filter.

Your problem is Highlighted above. I Never, and I repeat, NEVER have had a good experience at Auto zone. I always end up either leaving without the part to get it at a store with more knowledgeable people, or I have to show them where and what its called on their own ****ing Computers.

 

[robmedina]

Your problem is Highlighted above. I Never, and I repeat, NEVER have had a good experience at Auto zone. I always end up either leaving without the part to get it at a store with more knowledgeable people, or I have to show them where and what its called on their own ****ing Computers.

I agree for the most part, but they are npt at fault on this one. My truck lists the bigger filter every where I look, whether pep boys, AZ , or on line but in reality it takes the smaller one, which is listed for a 98 2.5.

I really just wanted to see if it is a glitch or if some previous owner had the motor replaced.

 

[Mark_88]

Don't feel bad...when I go to a parts store I have to try to remember what year of truck said part came from...air filter = 78 Mustang II...oil filter part has been changed several times by the same store...the last one I bought was almost half the size of the same part was a year ago...

Spark plugs = 89 mustang...coil and distributor and wires = 88 2.0 litre...as with most of the engine components...except the oil filter...

It gets challenging ordering exhaust parts because the original vehicle had a 108 wheel base that is now 125 inches or something...but the parts are the same with the exception of the part from the cat to the muffler...which is about 12 inches longer than for the regular cab...

And now that the jy are crushing most over 98 it is becoming a challenge to find used parts...

 

[rrbrian222]

It's always interesting to discover these model year quirks on our trucks. It is indeed strange that if you have an actual 1997 2.3L Lima that it would take the 1998+ filter. Bizarre. I never knew that there was a major change between the two block castings.

Now I do know that in 1998 the front suspension changed to coil spring IFS (and at some point torsion bar as well) from the twin I-beam. This may have necessitated some change in the oil filter size/placement due to clearance issues....but I'm just guessing here.


As far as cylinder head changes go, I believe 1996 was the year the head was changed slightly. From the sticky at the top of the page:

Posted by 510ranger:
lets see...-looks in chiltons guide for 91-99 rangers / explorers / mountaineers-

2.3L.......HP................Torque

1991......100 @ 4600.....133 @ 2600
1992......100 @ 4600.....133 @ 2600
1993......100 @ 4600.....133 @ 2600
1994......100 @ 4600.....133 @ 2600
1995......100 @ 4600.....133 @ 2600
1996......112 @ 4800.....135 @ 2400
1997......112 @ 4800.....135 @ 2400
2.5L
1998......117 @ 4500.....149 @ 2500
1999......117 @ 4500.....149 @ 2500

so yes, it changed in 1996, they upped the CR from 9.2 to 9.4:1
In '96 they also changed to a redesigned head with lighter (smaller stem) valves, valve springs and retainers. And reduced the size of the combustion chamber.


Added by pacodiablo:

2000 - 2001 2.5L engines make 119 HP at 5000 RPM and 146 ft. lbs. TQ at 3000 RPM.

So the OP should have the latest head redesign regardless if he has his original 2.3 or a replacement 2.5 engine. Maybe I should shop around for a 96+ head for my '95... I could use the extra 12HP and 2 ft-lbs of torque, lol!

 

[scotts90ranger]

again, the blocks are the same, the oil filter O ring and threads should be the same diameter which are the only important issues when choosing an oil filter other than physical length and space constraints, the engines take 5 quarts of oil with the FL1A size filter, 4.5 quarts with the smaller one for a 2.5L...

 

[robmedina]

I took a pic of the filter seated in the block. Looks like if I got the larger one (for the 2.3L) the filter would not seat properly, thus leak.

Again, just to be clear- I really do not care about which motor I have, how many HP or torque (more would be nice) but I just want to make sure if I do need parts that I am getting the right part for the right motor. Also, my truck has 176,000 miles on it. If this motor was replaced at some point I may be on the side of luck and have a motor that has less than 176,000 miles on it...or it could go the other way.

 

[scotts90ranger]

chances are that the O ring on that filter is near the outside of the rim, the FL1A size has the ring near the middle, next time you're at a store with oil filters open both and put them end to end, my bet is the ring is in the same spot, it's a fairly wide ring on the block so if the diameter varies by about 1/4" that's fine.

 

[robmedina]

chances are that the O ring on that filter is near the outside of the rim, the FL1A size has the ring near the middle, next time you're at a store with oil filters open both and put them end to end, my bet is the ring is in the same spot, it's a fairly wide ring on the block so if the diameter varies by about 1/4" that's fine.

I will have to look at that next time I go. Thanks

 

[Mark_88]

chances are that the O ring on that filter is near the outside of the rim, the FL1A size has the ring near the middle, next time you're at a store with oil filters open both and put them end to end, my bet is the ring is in the same spot, it's a fairly wide ring on the block so if the diameter varies by about 1/4" that's fine.

That is what I found...the filter was smaller, but the O ring was in the same place...and that's how I checked the fit...put the two end to end...and the O ring lined up exactly...eased my mind on that part...