2.0 intake on 2.3 head

[bc56845]

I've got an 87 ranger with a carbureted 2.0 It wiped out a cam lobe so I just bought a 2.3 motor out of a 91 mustang real cheap. Anyway, will my 2.0 carbureted intake bolt up and work on the 2.3 head? Thanks

 

[bc56845]

well I did some more searching and I've read all the stuff about how my round hole intake wont line up with the oval port heads. Anyway, is this just a power robbing issue or am I actually gonna have intake gasket covering up part of a port that is not covered up by my intake? If that makes any sense. Also, the motor I bought has the 2 holes threaded for the fuel pump, but the hole isn't there. If I cut out the hole, will everything be right with that intermediate shaft on the 2.3 to run my mechanical pump?

 

[Mark_88]

I think the 91 mustang engine had a fuel pump cam in it, but not sure...I used an electronic fuel pump on mine because the 87 Ranger FI block didn't have the hole cut for the pump...worst case scenario is that there is no cam and you have to plug the hole...best case is, of course, you can use the manual pump...

But if you go with the electronic pump be sure to get a low pressure that is rated 4 - 7 PSI only or you will have, ahem, issues...and even then you may find you need to adjust the carb float a bit because the pump may be just enough to squeeze past the needle in the carb...

The good news is that adjusting the carb float is fairly simple...the not so good news is that it takes a bit of patience and care to put it back together...

Otherwise, I used a 2.0 intake on a 2.3 head for about a year...the only problem I had was with the carb float...it was about the same on gas and power...maybe a bit more since the 2.3 block I put in had a bit more punch...oh, and the emissions on the 2.0 are a RFPITA...that's why I went with an 87 Mustang II carb and intake (motorcraft 5200 carb on Offenhauser type intake)...Fuch mucking etterbay...

 

[bc56845]

Well, if there isnt a cam for the fuel pump in there, couldn't I use the intermediate shaft and fuel pump eccentric from my old 2.0 motor in the 2.3?

 

[Mark_88]

Not sure...never pulled one apart to know, but I don't see why not...unless they changed a bearing or something internally so it won't use the same shaft...but if you've got them apart then there is nothing to say you can't try to fit it in...and it "should" fit...

 

[Mutant Pony]

I used a Ranger 2.0 cylinder head on the 2.3 in my avatar. I tried the 2.0 intake but, found it was horribly restrictive. I then made my own intake from exhaust pipe and plate steel. Huge improvement!!
I would suggest using the mustangs intake and adapting your carb to it. Racer Walsh sells the adapters. There are other ways to do it as well.
I will never use a mechanical fuel pump again! They cause all sorts of problems. Many times when they fail they fill the crank case with fuel which causes engine failure. I have several electric pumps that have been running for over 20 years without fail. I have never had an electric pump failure cause damage to an engine.