4 plug Head

[JMAT]

So I have an 87 ranger with a 2.3 and a toyo 5 speed as my DD. I will be picking up a 92 ranger in a few days. My reason for purchasing the 92 is to get the much needed bed off of it for my 87. I also would like to pull the motor out of the 92 and freshen it up to eventually go into the 87. I know the 92 is an 8 plug motor. However I was curious if I could use the 4 plug head out of the 87 as well as the dizzy and other externals to go onto the 92 short block. I figure this way I wouldn't have to change computers or harness and end up with a fresher motor. Am I correct in my line of thinking or am I way off? Thanks in advance.

 

[YungICY]

I could be wrong but I believe that'll work. The 92 will also have a distributorless ignition but I believe all the provisions are there to just plop in a distributor. I am pretty sure the 8 plug head will bolt right onto the newer block but I believe intake ports are different so you will just have to use the older intake. As far as computers go, I'm not 100% sure by any means but I would think you could use the older one without issue.

Give it a day or two and some of the guys smarter than me will chime in.

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[silverslug]

If you don't want any of the improvements from the 92. Why do you even want to use that short block?
Just 'freshen' the 87, and keep on keeping on.

 

[chewy012]

Sorry I don't have any advice on this, but

What do you guys mean by 4 plug head and 8 plug head?

Did the 2.3s in '92 have 2 spark plugs per cylinder!?

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[YungICY]

Sorry I don't have any advice on this, but

What do you guys mean by 4 plug head and 8 plug head?

Did the 2.3s in '92 have 2 spark plugs per cylinder!?

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Yeah it refers to spark plugs. 83-88's had a 4 plugs on the exhaust side of the engine. 89 and later had an additional 4 plugs on the intake side.

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[chewy012]

Man, I thought they phased that out in like the mid 70's haha, well except for rotary engines

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[JMAT]

The only reason I may want to do this is so that I can begin to freshen up the 92 block while still driving my 87 since it is my daily. I just wanted to make sure it would work out the way I was imagining it. Thank you for the replies.

 

[AllanD]

Yes, you can install the distributor and head from a single plug engine onto the block for a dual plug engine.

The only reason you can't put a distributor onto a dual plug engine is it won't clear the later lower intake.

the dual plug is ALL about emissions, depending on when in '87 your 2.3 was made it may already have a roller cam and followers, if it does not the roller cam from an 89-93 will go directly into your '87-2.3


the reduced friction from the roller cam is responsible for most of the power difference between the two engines.