2.8 to 2.9

[WhiteTrashDoc]

I am looking at buying a 2.9 to replace me 2.8. What all would be entailed in the swap? Also, the 2.9 has a broken intake manifold, will the one from my 2.8 fit on the 2.9? Mt truck has been sitting for 3 years now. I haven't been able to find a 2.8 to replace it with and have the time and money to do it. I still don't have a lot of either, but I found a 2.9 with 5 speed and transfer case for $300. But I only have about $500 total to do the swap so then I will be down to $200. Is it possible? The 2.9 is fuel injected of course, and my 2.8 has a holley carb on it that I already spent $100 on a rebuild kit in preperation of an early deal that didn't go through. Can a change the intake manifolds, make the 2.9 carbed and save a lot of wiring? Quick answers appreciated before this deal gets away from me too.

 

[Hahnsb2]

No, almost none of the parts of the 2.8 and 2.9 interchange. I don't think you'd like a carb 2.9 anyways, you wouldn't have any timing advance... If you're going through the trouble of swapping to a bigger engine, go all the way to 4.0. You will also need to upgrade your fuel system to at least 86+ for fuel injection.

 

[mjonesjr]

If you're going through the trouble of swapping to a bigger engine, go all the way to 4.0. You will also need to upgrade your fuel system to at least 86+ for fuel injection.

Agreed.

 

[WhiteTrashDoc]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find too many 4.0's lately either. Allthough I am going to go look at an 80 F-150 4x4 on Thursday that has a 351W. I am hoping to get it for $500. And then as time and money allows, swapping everything into my Ranger. Motor, tranny, T-case, axles, etc. Or I may just keep the f-i50 and get rid of my ranger, which I would hate to do, but I have held on to it for too long to not do anything with it, and I can't afford to do anything with it. I reckon we will see.