2001 2.3 swapped to 1997 2.3

[walthagl]

I purchased a 1997 2.3 ranger with cooling issues and a hardly running problems. The owner said the motor had been changed. I thought it had a 2.5 later model engine. After a lot of research and removing the head and a blown head gasket the motor is a 2.3 2001 motor. From the casting number Indicated a 06 cast date. The biggest issue
I am having are the holes for the water pump. I engine had a 97-20 water pump with two bolts and the bottom hole epoxy shut. I can drill and tap a new bottom hole, but the new hole would go into the block. If someone could check and older 2.3 block to verify that the case it would really help. I also need to verify the diameter of the opening the water pump goes into. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks
Walt

 

[stmitch]

First, we need to establish what engine you've got. A 97 Ranger 4 cylinder would've originally had the Lima 2.3, not the 2.5 Lima, which started in 98 and ran to mid 2001. Both engines are cast iron, SOHC, 8 valve designs.

If they swapped in a 2.3L from a 2001, it would be the Duratec DOHC, 16 valve, all aluminum engine. No parts are interchangeable between the Lima 2.3/2.5, available until mid 2001 and the Duratec 2.3L that was available from mid 2001 until 2011.

It's doubtful that what you've got is a Duratec swapped truck because that swap requires changing out the engine, trans, PCM, and some wiring. Chances are pretty good that you're dealing with either the 2.3L Lima engine that would've come in that truck to begin with, or MAYBE somebody did a 2.5 Lima swap at some point.

 

[Dirtman]

Just to clarify, the lima engine was still used in 2001. The switch to the duratec was mid year so a 2001 could have come with either engine.

 

[RonD]

Do you have a Timing chain or timing belt?

Chain would be 2001 and up 2.3l Duratec DOHC engine
Belt would be a 1974-2001 Lima SOHC engine

 

[stmitch]

Just to clarify, the lima engine was still used in 2001. The switch to the duratec was mid year so a 2001 could have come with either engine.

Right, but the Lima used in 01 would've been a 2.5L and not a 2.3L. So the only 2.3L used in 01 was the duratec. And getting a Duratec swapped into a 97 is a bit more work than most people are willing to do.

 

[Dirtman]

The 2.3 and 2.5 are essentially identical engines so im just going under the assumption that someone simply called a 2.5 lima a 2.3.

But yea, a duratec swap is not likely. Easier to just install a 5.0 at that point.