4 cylinder swap options

[Otto57]

I have a 1988 ranger 2.0 2wd with excessive blow by and I am considering rebuilding it. I also am thinking about a swap for something with a little more power but my options seem limited due to the fact that my engine is carbureted. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Dirtman]

Explorer 5.0, throw the efi stuff away and buy a carb intake for it. Or just get all the wiring from the efi system and convertical your truck over.

 

[Otto57]

Explorer 5.0, throw the efi stuff away and buy a carb intake for it. Or just get all the wiring from the efi system and convertical your truck over.

Money is the other consideration and what years explorer are best for swap

 

[Daniel Black]

When my '87 2.0 blew up I built a carbed 2.3 for it. The engines are the same other than the bore. If you find a carbed Ranger 2.3 it'll have the round port head so you can use your intake and carb.

 

[Otto57]

Thanks for the reply. That is exactly what I have been thinking about. That way I could keep driving my truck while I build another engine. Only problem is I am having trouble finding an early 2.3 with a distributor and carb setup that is not complete junk. I always hear about people doing V8 swaps and I wonder who is hoarding the 2.3 engines. Gonna keep looking. Thanks again.

 

[adsm08]

It probably wouldn't be that hard to do a carb 2.5 either. Maybe more than a 2.3, but I can't see it being terrible.

 

[Daniel Black]

A guy gave me a complete 2.3 out of an '86 Mustang just to get it out of his way. It had to be bored .030 over so that was most of my cost. I figure mine I'm around $1200 into now but if I'd went stock I think I could've been around $600 with a basic rebuild kit. I threw away my 2.0 block or I'd give it to you. I still have the crank, rods and pistons, the small valve round port 2.0 head and intake for the Aisan 2bbl. The pistons would have to be changed for a 2.3 but otherwise they're the same bottom end. You can have all that stuff if you're ever in WNC.

 

[Chain]

I just had a fire in my '86 2.0. I was lucky I had a full 30oz ozark trail cup full of sweet tea and a ditch full of water near by. It is running again with new distributor, new one wire alternator swap, carburetor (reman), throttle cable and respective hoses and wires. I now have an acceleration ping so I think the timing is off. It is set to 6deg.
While we were fixing this we were thinking about the 5.0 swap. Then thinking about the gas mileage, we were talking about the 2.3. With the 2.0 not wanting to get out of its own way, He thinks the 2.3 will wake up the truck enough to be more fun to drive. Maybe increase the compression and slightly more aggressive towing cam. That way there will be no headaches, just bolt it in.

 

[88workcar]

2.3 ecoboost

 

[Dirtman]

You could just buy a new truck for the price of that swap.

 

[88workcar]

You could just buy a new truck for the price of that swap.

I'm doing it to do it. 5600.00 delivered for the complete set up. I want a sleeper from hell.

 

[Daniel Black]

I just had a fire in my '86 2.0. I was lucky I had a full 30oz ozark trail cup full of sweet tea and a ditch full of water near by. It is running again with new distributor, new one wire alternator swap, carburetor (reman), throttle cable and respective hoses and wires. I now have an acceleration ping so I think the timing is off. It is set to 6deg.
While we were fixing this we were thinking about the 5.0 swap. Then thinking about the gas mileage, we were talking about the 2.3. With the 2.0 not wanting to get out of its own way, He thinks the 2.3 will wake up the truck enough to be more fun to drive. Maybe increase the compression and slightly more aggressive towing cam. That way there will be no headaches, just bolt it in.

My 2.3 was night and day difference from the 2.0. Seemed like twice the power but still not enough. I've since sold the 2.3 and put a 302 in. The best mileage I ever got with the 2.3 was around 20mpg with the stock 5-speed and 3.73 gears. The 302 is around 15mpg but with a 4-speed and the same 3.73 gears. I always ran/run both motors pretty hard though.

 

[Chain]

My 2.3 was night and day difference from the 2.0. Seemed like twice the power but still not enough. I've since sold the 2.3 and put a 302 in. The best mileage I ever got with the 2.3 was around 20mpg with the stock 5-speed and 3.73 gears. The 302 is around 15mpg but with a 4-speed and the same 3.73 gears. I always ran/run both motors pretty hard though.

Awesome. I am weighing both now. My motor builder buddy is telling me the 2.3 will crank with a rebuild and a little finesse.

I am debating on EFI if I go to 302. Did you stay carb?

 

[bobbywalter]

Run the mega jolt on a 2.3 efi with your carb and racer walsh intake adapter..


Some of circle track trucks were running a msd dizzy and gm module poor boy g it and successful....but most were bling 1500 dollar setups....

 

[Daniel Black]

Awesome. I am weighing both now. My motor builder buddy is telling me the 2.3 will crank with a rebuild and a little finesse.

I am debating on EFI if I go to 302. Did you stay carb?

My truck was already carbureted from the factory so I left the 302 that way. That way I didn't have to put a pump in the tank and mount and run wires for a computer. I use a mechanical fuel pump and I'm still using my stock Duraspark box for ignition.