2.3L ('02-'11) 2005 single cab 2.3 Ranger engine help

[Dive_dive]

I need some help with a 2.3 single cab ranger engine swap. Long story short, my son has a 2005 single cab ranger with a 2.3 and automatic transmission. He ran the oil dry and knocked a hole in the block. He saved up his money and bought a replacement 2.3 with 65k miles. About the time the engine arrived, we were in the middle of moving and set it to the side. Durimg the move, he decided to take the old motor to the dump. I assumed he meant the dump pile at the farm where we keep metal until we have enough to sell to recycler. But no, he hauled it to a dump site and somehow convinced the attendant to let him put it in a dumpster. Now we are trying to put the new engine in (after he had to buy new engine mounts) and seem to either have the wrong engine or the wrong engine mounts. I cannot find an engine number anywhere, but there is 2.3L cast into the block and what is left of a barcode on the rear above the transmission connection point. I can tell you that the valve cover on the new engine is aluminum where the original was plastic. The engine appears to be correct looking at images on the internet, but I cannot find any good information. I just want to get the truck up and running for him. Any images of the engine mounts and their location on the engine would be helpful. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[Ranger850]

Any pics or Numbers you can find on the engine would help these guys identify what you have.

 

[Dive_dive]

Sorry for the slow response. Been a crazy couple of weeks. I am attaching pictures of the engine I have

 

[Dive_dive]

Bump

 

[RonD]

Looks like a 2001-2011 2.3l Duratec engine
Sept 17th, 2002 bar code, so older, but the same engine

Don't mention anything about an engine swap to ANYONE, lol
In some areas its illegal to swap in an older engine, so 2005 Ranger could only use a 2005-2011 replacement engine, just FYI

Yes, Ford, and most car makers, are switching to/using plastic valve covers and intakes where ever possible
Picture of 2002 2.3l Duratec Valve cover here: https://images.bonanzastatic.com/afu/images/4b97/d5eb/5729_10356154683/s-l1600.jpg
Aluminum, so period correct for that valve cover

Rangers did use the 2.3l SOHC Lima engines up thru 1997, totally different engine, so searching for parts using "2.3l Ranger" will get you mixed results

Also getting any parts for 2005 Ranger 2.3l, not 2002

 

[Dive_dive]

RonD, I am in GA so engine swap is legal, however this is supposedly a 2005 2.3 with 65k miles on it. Not extremely confident with the place I purchased. I have received no documentation despite requesting in numerous times. This is actually the second engine from them. The first was seized up and could not break it loose. But thank you for the verification. Looks like we bought the wrong engine mounts. Maybe from an earlier Lima engine. Dude on ebay assured me it was from a 2003, but there is no way to match hole patterns. I prefer an aluminum cover. Anyway, thanks for the verification. I thought it was the correct engine, but without the old one to compare to... Gotta love children

 

[RonD]

We would just "waste" our money, like we did when we were single, if we didn't have kids

Its possible the engine sat at the vehicle assembly plant for 3 years, just not likely, could have been out of a 2003 for sure
I think 2004 was when plastic valve covers came in, 2004 2.3l didn't have heated thermostat or IMRC like the 2001-2003 Ranger 2.3ls did
These were all external changes the basic engine didn't change

 

[pjtoledo]

try these. 2002

 

[Dive_dive]

Awesome pictures pjtoledo! Thanks. Now I can compare the engine mounts I have to these