2.3 in place of a 2.9

[roughranger]

i have a 2300 out of a about 80 pinto. i also have a 85 boronco II witha blown motor. my question is will the 2300 bolt the 2.9 auto trans. I am sure i will have to make mounts but that is not a big deal. thanks rough

 

[Dave R]

In short, no, the 2.3 will not bolt to a 2.9's automatic transmission. It would have to be changed as well.

You'd also have to convert the fuel system to low pressure, which, if you have a 2 pump system is easy. You just remove the high pressure pump and run a line from the low presure pump in the tank to the carb.

 

[roughranger]

will any other motors bolt to this trans? i have it in the bronco still and am just wanting to make a mud truck out of it! thanks rough

 

[Mutant Pony]

The trans has a removable bell housing, You would need the bell housing, torque converter, and flywheel for a 2300/a4ld. Any cologne engine will bolt to the trans but, the 4.0 would kill the trans pretty fast. The Pinto 2300 has the same mount locations as a Ranger 2.0, 2.3, 2.5. All the parts are available to bolt it in. The Radiator is different as well. The necks are opposite.
If you want to make a mud truck you should go to a 302. The BII weighs a lot for a 2300 in the mud.

 

[Dave R]

I keep forgetting that A4LD's have removeable bellhousings.

 

[roughranger]

can you tell me what motors will bolt to this trans! it doesnt matter size or mount type. thanks rough

 

[Mutant Pony]

As I said any cologne engine. That's 2.6,2.8,2.9,4.0. as far as a motor that will bolt to that trans and work, you are better off sticking to a 2.9. As far as building a mud toy goes, you are better off going to a 302 (or bigger) and replacing the trans.
The 2.3 has the parts availability to make more h.p. and t.q. than is capable from a 2.9 the problem is that with a lot of weight the 2.3 has crank problems, especially the old large journals. ('89 up Ranger is small journal).