2.9 engine swap and tranny question

[hddave1]

hello...i got a 85 ranger 2wd with a 2.8 and 5speed manual tranny..my question is , will a 2.9 or 3.0 engine bolt up and work with my tranny.. my 2.8 is about to lay down on me and i wanting to rebuild it but i thought it might be better to find a 2.9 or 3.0 engine to put back in my 85 ranger..if it will bolt up , will the ecm and wiring plug back in on the new engine or will somthing have to be moded. or changed....thanks guys

 

[Andres629]

If I'm not mistaken, you will need a wiring harness from a 2.9 truck and have to wire it in because your 2.8 is carbed. If that's the case, might as well go 4.0, as the 2.8/.9 stuff has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as a 4.0, and you'll have to do the same amount of wiring.