2.3L Reman head??

[2Lo4Snw]

Well...the curse finally hit my '88 Ranger 2.3l. Magnafluxed the cylinder head and sure enough it's cracked between the valves on #3 cylinder. So, Now it comes down to finding a replacement head. My question for all of you is have any of you had any luck with reman heads for these engines??? Mine is the E69 casting, 4 plug, 2.3L. Checking out ebay, odessa cylinder head offers them for $325 or so...pretty good warranty it seems also.

Just seeing everyone's opinion before I shell out the dead presidents to get my unit back on the road!! Thanks!!

 

[TastySloth]

Don't know where you're at, but I saw this about 2 hours ago:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/2279597831.html

They have 2 for this engine on there...

 

[John Smith]

Does it come with

new valves? Are you doing the assembly your self?

In Southern Oregon a good used non-cracked d-port rebuild-able core would go for 100-200 possibly...if shipping isn't too bad and you can't do any better...the good valve job on an assembled head would add another 100-175 or so unless you could get a machine shop to do some of the work for you.... Maybe get some references on the seller?

I have one of those I'm putting together and with new stainless valves and set up. I wouldn't want less that 400 probably...and it's not for sale ...I had to look for this one

While looking i found a cple late 70's oval port heads..and I'm using those for future carbed projects...The Circle track guys have eat them up pretty well...but they are great heads also were used for early 79-81 carb/turbo apps....and take LARGE valves very well best wishes....

of course whatever you buy get a good description...and make sure they are not the little round port heads....if you do have EFI...

 

[Mark_88]

I got one from an 89 Mustang and had it rebuilt and shaved...cost me almost $600 including the head ($100 from junkyard), magnaflux test, plus the new valves and shaving...

Then since I didn't have a torque wrench I priced it out with a local repair center...believe it or not, they wanted $800 to torque the head bolts...so I bought a torque wrench from their auto parts store, took it home and torqued the bolts and then returned it the next day for a full refund...said it was the wrong colour...lol

Not that I recommend that sort of thing, but I thought they were totally unreasonable...if they said $100 to torque them on I would have went for it...but, then again, would have had to tow the truck there...

 

[2Lo4Snw]

I have a local machine shop that's pretty reasonable with machine services. But I guess I was wondering if anyone out there had any luck with 'post-rebuilt' heads....like ones you see offered on ebay, online, etc. I realize a LOT of these heads had issues and just wondering if you guys have purchased a remanufactured head that's had work done to it (brass plugs, welded, etc.) and had good luck with them? Mine is a fuel injected 2.3l model also if you were wondering....

Tastysloth, I called that guy on the reman heads he has...told him what I have as far as 4 plug, E69E casting, D shaped intake, etc. and he didn't know if he had any. I'm a little confused as far as what heads will interchange with what. I have read the 'interchange guideline' sticky on here, and there is a lot of great info on there but doesn't make much mention for '86-'88 2.3L heads....I just want to be 100% sure of what I will be ordering, or what I will be searching for, with work correctly. Thanks for the help!

 

[John Smith]

I just want to be 100% sure of what I will be ordering, or what I will be searching for, with work correctly. Thanks for the help!

With EFI your year you will want a d-port version of a 4plug head (thru 88 generally)...if you find one your roller cam and followers will fit as long as you use your cam/followers/ etc and set up the valves stems for proper clearance. the intakes are different 89-94 on 8plug heads otherwise the cams interchange and valves etc..you could use turbo head even but the compression would be too low for good performance...(these are getting rare uncracked anyway)..you have a d-port manifold so look for a d-port head....good luck

heads and head mods are what make these run and REALLY run..so if you're going to drive one of these...keep an eye out for a spare...and keep those injectors clean and watch your overheating....

(if it'll help here's a link to a couple pics of what I'm using now)

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=1055&pictureid=5859

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=1055&pictureid=5860

If ur adventurous and your state allows..you might try putin' a carb on that motor and then u aren't limited by any type of head..you would just use a manifold and head that matched....even a 2.0 head would work in a pinch as long as you had the matching manifold....

 

[2Lo4Snw]

Well, I ended up sending my head to Carolina Machine Engine in Johnston, SC to see if they can fix it. They quoted me $148 for repairing it but obviously they have to see how bad it is first before I get hard numbers....Guess I will find out if they can fix it up!

 

[Mark_88]

You mean there isn't any place closer than SC? Shipping from ND to SC alone should cost you a nominal egg...even Canada would be closer...I wouldn't recommend that for the simple reason that once you're in for a penny, you're in for a pound...