2.3L ('83-'97) 2.3 Roller Camshafts Mustang vs Ranger

[PlumCrazy]

Does anyone know for certain if the 8 plug NA Mustangs and Rangers have the same cam? I have factory roller 92 Mustang head to put on my 97 Ranger (I know the valve stem/spring/follower differences), but are the cam profiles any different? Will I notice a powerband difference if I leave the Mustang cam in the head? If I don't need to swap it, I don't want to bother.

Years ago I put a Taurus short block in a Ranger and actually noticed a the powerband seemed to be shifted into the higher RPMs and I actually thought it was more drivable that way in a 5 speed truck than the Ranger low end torque profile.

 

[RobWigglezz]

Could you search for an oem part number for one of the cams and see if they match?

 

[RobWigglezz]

F57Z-6250-B is what I'm getting for 97 ranger 2.3l

 

[scotts90ranger]

You would have to do earlier years like '88-94 which I think are all the same in Rangers, they changed a fair amount of the valvetrain in '95 while switching to smaller valve stems but I've read that they kept the effective profile the same. As it turns out the guys here didn't share much about Mustang cams, at least that I paid attention to... wish I knew more when DaveR and so forth were still around so I could have understood and retained more...

 

[PlumCrazy]

Update. I just sent it with the mustang cam. I will let everyone know how it feels once I find a fuel rail that doesn't have an enormous leak. Lol

 

[scotts90ranger]

Figured you would, can't hurt to try . I'd offer one but the only one I have is the one I'm using...

Unless I get the engine from my buddy soon... If you get in a real bind I can make it happen soon, unless he's busy fighting wild fires... If I remember right what he has is a '95-97 2.3L I was going to acquire for a spare that he bought initially for a customer that backed out...