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2.0 needs more power


87ranger2.0

Active Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
41
City
Nashville tn
Vehicle Year
87
Transmission
Manual
How can I get more power out of my 87 carb 2.0l engine.should I go with a carb 2.3l? Does a 88 efi 2.3l have a place for a mechanical fuel pump so I can convert it to carb bc I don't want to convert my ranger to efi.also can you put a 2.5l crank shaft in a 88 2.3l? Thanks guys
 
Hi there..

A couple of things....Generally an 88-94 EFI 2.3L will not have the ability to install a mech fuel pump. The aux shaft may have the lobe (at least the 88's)..but the opening into the aux housing will not be machined to allow you to use a pump. The bolt holes should be there...but not the larger opening for the pump actuating lever. The exception will be most turbo'd motors for some reason. They all seem to have the hole in the block for the pump. (maybe because marine/industrial applications use the turbo block?) You could use an 88-94 block but "poke" a hole there and use a pump I'm sure. Just be sure your aux shaft has the lobe for the pump drive or be prepared to buy another one.

FYI the OMC marine 2.3L advertises 120HP...with a carb...you CAN get good HP with a carb if you work at it...but be prepared tof some head work, and cam perhaps along with some carb tuning. Thing like shaving the head, advancing the cam timing, and higher lift cams make the engine come alive....but grab a spare head while ur at it...they can be bought new but are somewhat spendy..

The stock 2.3L cast crank and rods will support 300HP or more if ur careful...

There doesn't seem to be great advantage to the 2.5 crank conversion with all that is involved...

2.0's can run too....find a 2barrel version manifold for yours, and get a factory ford header....(mid 90's)...and make some fun...
have fun....
 
K I'm a vw guy that has turned to fords.I'm a heavy duty deisel tech.i just don't know much about fords.the powerless carb 2.0 has over 200,000 miles on it.i don't know if it's worth rebuilding the 2.0 or drop in a carb 2.3.i don't want to convert the truck to efi.i just don't have the time to run return lines,elec fuel pump n so furth.i read that you can put a 2.5 crankshaft in a newer 2.3 to make it a stroker but will it work in an older 2.3 say like an 88 n can you convert an 88 efi 2.3 to carb.they say the 2.0 and the 2.3 are identical so is there a spot for the mechanical fuel pump in the block on an 88 efi 2.3? Any and all opinions will be greatly appriciated.thank you again
 
A couple of things....Generally an 88-94 EFI 2.3L will not have the ability to install a mech fuel pump. The aux shaft may have the lobe (at least the 88's)..but the opening into the aux housing will not be machined to allow you to use a pump. The bolt holes should be there...but not the larger opening for the pump actuating lever. The exception will be most turbo'd motors for some reason. They all seem to have the hole in the block for the pump. (maybe because marine/industrial applications use the turbo block?) You could use an 88-94 block but "poke" a hole there and use a pump I'm sure. Just be sure your aux shaft has the lobe for the pump drive or be prepared to buy another one.

FYI the OMC marine 2.3L advertises 120HP...with a carb...you CAN get good HP with a carb if you work at it...but be prepared tof some head work, and cam perhaps along with some carb tuning. Thing like shaving the head, advancing the cam timing, and higher lift cams make the engine come alive....but grab a spare head while ur at it...they can be bought new but are somewhat spendy..

The stock 2.3L cast crank and rods will support 300HP or more if ur careful...

There doesn't seem to be great advantage to the 2.5 crank conversion with all that is involved...

2.0's can run too....find a 2barrel version manifold for yours, and get a factory ford header....(mid 90's)...and make some fun...
have fun....

K my 2.0 does have a 2barrel carb on it.so do you think it would be cheaper n easier to just rebuild my 2.0 then? I'm only looking for maybe 100hp n maybe 150 trq.is there a more aggressive cam? The state of tn has emmissions so I don't know if I'll get away with having a header unless you can still use the air pump for the exhaust.
 
K I'm a vw guy that has turned to fords.I'm a heavy duty deisel tech.i just don't know much about fords.the powerless carb 2.0 has over 200,000 miles on it.i don't know if it's worth rebuilding the 2.0 or drop in a carb 2.3.i don't want to convert the truck to efi.i just don't have the time to run return lines,elec fuel pump n so furth.i read that you can put a 2.5 crankshaft in a newer 2.3 to make it a stroker but will it work in an older 2.3 say like an 88 n can you convert an 88 efi 2.3 to carb.they say the 2.0 and the 2.3 are identical so is there a spot for the mechanical fuel pump in the block on an 88 efi 2.3? Any and all opinions will be greatly appriciated.thank you again

Your 2.0 crank is the same as a 2.3 crank. thru 88 anyway...then they went to a small main journal to complete the engine line run. the rods are the same...2.0-2.3...the tech library does a pretty good job with the info....
 
The problem is..

that when Ford went to EFI 2.3"s...they used a d-port intake mainfold....and if you find one of these heads you may need to find the manifold to fit it...2.3L carb intakes, and heads may not be easy to find...hence my reference to OMC boat version of the carbed manifold...it fits a d-port head...of course you can use an efi intake and put a small Holley on it...with an adapter....not efficient i guess but do-able...
 
I guess i'm typing as you are as well...

if you look at the specs for a 2.0....and a 2.3..they're not that far apart if all ur looking for is 100HP...

if you already have the 2 barrel manifold that matches the ports..you may just do a good rebuild on the head...use a cam and port matching..shave it a little and maybe find a 88-94 roller cam from a ranger.......tune ur carb..and see what happens...I'll bet u could get close...
 
But the pistons for a 2.3 are not the same as the 2.0 rite? So what if I get a 83 or 84 2.3 block n put my 2.0 head on the 2.3 block.that should make a small dif.shouldn't it? Lol
 
Well 100hp would be nice but would always want more.I'm trying to do this on a budget of like 1200 or less.ty so much for all your help
 
you could do that...

But the pistons for a 2.3 are not the same as the 2.0 rite? So what if I get a 83 or 84 2.3 block n put my 2.0 head on the 2.3 block.that should make a small dif.shouldn't it? Lol

The pistons are definltey samller for a 2.0.... but the head could fit theoretically...and do ok..though the ports/valves wouldn't be optimized for a 2.3....(smaller)..but i have considered it...it would work better if you had a 2.3head...
 
If you look around...

you'll get the picture of what it takes to make these run well...Of course the head is the key....and a solid 4cylinders worth of compression....I' have an acquaintance that has run one up to 10K rpm.....with a stock crank....
 
whatever you do..

don't get rid of your 87 crank....since it is the same crank as a turbo'd coupe thru 88..it has value to you or anyone else...

FYI somewhere in the mid 80's they changed the rear main seal to one peice...

(85 maybe) and the blocks are different as a result on the rear main side...the older cranks have a small lip that have to machined off to fit an 85 or newer block..

have fun

carbs rule
 
Last edited:
The pistons are definltey samller for a 2.0.... but the head could fit theoretically...and do ok..though the ports/valves wouldn't be optimized for a 2.3....(smaller)..but i have considered it...it would work better if you had a 2.3head...

K I thot that the tech form said that the 2.0 piston are unique and are not interchangable with the 2.3? So I think I'm gonna get an 83-84 carb 2.3 from a junk yard n build that.now are the writing hern.prety much the same?is that what you would do?
 
the pistons will not interchange..

K I thot that the tech form said that the 2.0 piston are unique and are not interchangable with the 2.3? So I think I'm gonna get an 83-84 carb 2.3 from a junk yard n build that.now are the writing hern.prety much the same?is that what you would do?

Correct...

Getting a complete 2.3 carbedmotor if you can find one would be good...in fact a late 70's pinto would be better...hopefully on it you'll find an oval port head, with a matching manifold, and a holly/weber 5200 32/36 carb...all good stuff...put you a roller cam from a ranger in it...if you look at my pics you will find a sample of this head...even one with LARGE valves...quite the rage in mini-stock circuiit...those older pinto manifolds are quite the buzz for performance...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=1055&pictureid=5858

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=1055&pictureid=5938

have fun....
 
K what if I get a carb 2.3 head n put it on my 2.0 block.would that give a better air flow bc of the bigger ports?
 

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