390 In A Ranger

[89rangerboy]

Has anyone done this before....

Is it wise to do this...

I have the 390 for free and a '89 Ranger for free...

The 2.9L has almost 280,000 miles.... and has had its better days....

So any answers will be fine

You can call me crazy or sane haha....

My girlfriend thinks im crazy so go for it

 

[baddad457]

Anything is possible with enough time and money. I guess you also haven't tried the "search" button though.

 

[281Ranger]

Anything is possible with enough time and money. I guess you also haven't tried the "search" button though.

If you try searching for 390, 302, 351, etc all you get is "sorry, no matches found". Out of the three major Ranger websites, R-F is the only one still using software that allows two and three character searches.

 

[89rangerboy]

You guys arent answering my question....

Do you guys know the diffifulty level of this swap??

Nevermind friends and family think im stupid haha so **** it nevermind

 

[krugford]

Difficulty of swap?

Find a 390 (you have one)
Find a tranny to stick behind it...
Weld into Ranger
??????
Profit.

Is there a 4x4 tranny that'll go behind a 390? i.e. one that doesn't require a divorced transfer case?

 

[skippy]

You guys arent answering my question....

Do you guys know the diffifulty level of this swap??

Nevermind friends and family think im stupid haha so **** it nevermind

It can be done.It will be challenging,but it can be done.lot's of research find parts,tranny,driveshaft etc...No,I haven't done a v-8 swap yet,but reading posts by those that have will give you insight into this venture.See the tech library,if a 460 swap can be done,a 390 can be done.

I have every intention of a v-8 swap when the 2.8 wears out,and i know it won't be cheap or easy.

 

[Will]

A 390 in a Ranger? Oh, there's a bad idea. I would swap in a 351W. Later you can upgrade to over 400cid on that platform.

The 390 is good for about $42 at the scrapper. Nothing about the 390 or the gathering of parts to make it work excites me. The are just weak lumps of iron. I was driving when the weren't uncommon in cars still. I had a friend with one in a '67 Galaxie and it was slower than my 289 Fairlane. I almost bought a '70 LTD with a 390 but it was too pathetic. I ended up in a '74 Bonneville with a 400 and it was much, much more of a motor.

 

[baddad457]

Will you just never ran up against a healthy 390. I've had 2-3 of em plus a 427. The last one was a completely stock high compression 68 390 in a Merc. 2 bbl motor. Took it apart, reringed it, changed out 2 busted pistons, added a Crane 272 degree Energizer cam (.516 lift) replaced the stock 2 bbl iron intake with a stock 428PI piece. Topped it with a 3310 Holley 750, added FPA headers. Car weighed in at 4200lbs (add 240 for the driver) Ran mid 14's on street tires. Stock 10.25 to 1 pistons, stock untouched heads. My 67 390 Stang ran high 13's with the 3 speed manual and open diff 3.00 rear.Only mod done then was a 428CJ intake and Holley 750 carb. These motors were so weak, Ford used em in Nascar in the early 60's. It's modern day equivalent would be the stroker 383 SBC's. I'd bet money you didn't have a 390 but a 352 or 360.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Yes, it has been done. If you did it you'ld probably never see another(cool factor). The 390 is a VERY worthwhile engine. As Baddad said, similar to a 383 SBC. Heavy but, more than enough torque to make up for it. The down sides are, A LOT of weight on the front tires, and BAD gas mileage. The "fun" and "cool" factors make up for the down sides though.
With a properly trained foot and a little practice, mileage could still get into the 20's
Oh, a perfect 400 pontiac would not beat a 352 at the drag strip, A lot of fun on the street though.
Yes Krugford, FE-4x4 trannies were quite common in the 70's

 

[gotmudd]

Yes, it has been done. If you did it you'ld probably never see another(cool factor). The 390 is a VERY worthwhile engine. As Baddad said, similar to a 383 SBC. Heavy but, more than enough torque to make up for it. The down sides are, A LOT of weight on the front tires, and BAD gas mileage. The "fun" and "cool" factors make up for the down sides though.
With a properly trained foot and a little practice, mileage could still get into the 20's
Oh, a perfect 400 pontiac would not beat a 352 at the drag strip, A lot of fun on the street though.
Yes Krugford, FE-4x4 trannies were quite common in the 70's

mine gets 14mpg on average it's the truck in avitar. pulls what ever i hook up to, so far haven't found anything it can't pull . oh, and it's a 390, so much for the gutless theory. other advantage, they are 'normal' wall constructed blocks unlike most ford V8's that are 'thin' walled

 

[89rangerboy]

Alright well i dont think i will do it cause i dont have money....

I have everything else i need.....

I have the welder the parts just not the metal...

To reinforce stuff...

And im 16 and this is my first truck.....

I'll stick with the 4.0 installation...

And when i get a new truck ill put a 390 in that sucker... And lower it... be able to burn out for half a mile...

 

[gotmudd]

Alright well i dont think i will do it cause i dont have money....

I have everything else i need.....

I have the welder the parts just not the metal...

To reinforce stuff...

And im 16 and this is my first truck.....

I'll stick with the 4.0 installation...

And when i get a new truck ill put a 390 in that sucker... And lower it... be able to burn out for half a mile...

i don't know if you are serious about the half mile burnout, if you are, you my young and foolish friend will have the only 4000lb rolling coffin on wheels. if you tried a half mile burnout or any burnout you'd loose control and wrap it around a telephone pole. post pics when you do though cuz that'd be funny sh^t

 

[Totalled]

I wouldn't.

 

[ri06667]

Difficulty of swap?

Find a 390 (you have one)
Find a tranny to stick behind it...
Weld into Ranger
??????
Profit.

ROFL

 

[Hahnsb2]

Difficulty of swap?

Find a 390 (you have one)
Find a tranny to stick behind it...
Weld into Ranger
??????

Sweet underpants gnomes reference