2.3 engine swaps

[Gary Francis]

I've got a 1997 XLT with the 2.3 engine w/5 speed with only 106K miles on the drivetrain/truck. The deal is that it's got a bad title and can't be driven on the road anymore (thanks State Farm...).

Question: What year Rangers can my 1997 drivetrain be swapped into - especially the engine - if it's even possible? I'm thinking about finding a high mileage or "toasted engine" truck (with a good VIN number) to put my drivetrain into. I've heard that it's best to try to find another 1997 Ranger 2.3 5-speed and just swap the good engine into it so the wiring/computer hookups can be done with "minimal" hassles. Or another question: can I just put my good long block from my truck into the new truck and bolt on all the induction, exhaust, ignition, A/C, etc. components?

Any experience and advice would be appreciated.

 

[Plum Ranger XLT]

I have a '95 Ranger 2.3L and 5 speed and I'm sure that mine is no different than yours and any '95 thru '97 model should work with the swap with little hassles if any.

 

[4b316]

Any 95-99 truck will be fine,2.3 or 2.5 truck.Maybe up to 2001 when they changed motors

 

[Ranger44]

1983-1987 to 1989-1994 to 1995-1997 are a little different.

As long as you swap the computer etc. from the 97' I'd say you can swap it into any year Ranger.

 

[snipescastle2]

1996 2.3L engine from a ranger into a 1992 Ranger

Hi everyone! New to this forum, but by no means a newbie to cars and trucks.
I have a question for everybody: I have a 1992 Ranger 2WD with a 2.3L four that after 208K the engine finally bit the dust! The oil pump finally gave out and here I am. I bought a 1996 Ranger 2.3L EFI engine to replace my dead 2.3 and the intake is different, but everything else seems to look identical, anyone know if the engine harness will work with the 1992 Computer or should I change the whole intake and engine harness from the dead engine just to be sure? As I said, everything appears to be the same, but unsure of pinouts on the computer plug. Any Help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Ben

 

[Hardwareman]

On 95 and up 2.3/2.5 the oil pump is located on the front of the engine block and must be timed for a camshaft position sensor that Ford placed there. Your oil pump is located in the oil pan in your 92.

You will need the computer from the 96 to run it in your 92.



Allen

 

[snipescastle2]

Allen,
is the computer all that I need in order to make this work? I got the harness on the engine, minus power steering/ac brackets, guess I will have to hit the bone yard for those.please let me know.
Ben

 

[Hardwareman]

I'm really not all that familiar with pre-OBDII Rangers, but I will say that if you have the computer and wiring harness with that 96 2.3 you should be fine.

I can't really think of anything else you will need in order to make it run right.



Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

BTW:

I have brackets for that engine if you need them. The power steering/AC bracket is actually one bracket. There is another bracket on the passenger side that holds the coil packs. The alternator bolts up to that one as well.

I have some pics of them if you need.



Allen

 

[snipescastle2]

pics are welcome

Allen,
I have the bracket the coils mount on, the others I'd like to look at.Can you send me a few pics? benjamin.l.smith@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Ben
p.s. how much for the brackets?