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66 bronco 289 swap into 85 ranger (need help)


Cu1on1

New Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2021
Messages
4
City
Canada
Vehicle Year
1985
Transmission
Automatic
Hi guys, I’m fairly new here. Looking for a bit of help from the knowledgeable folks here, I’m currently putting a stroked 1966 bronco 289 into a 85 ranger and wondering if I’m able to use the rear sump oil pan that is on early broncos with dip stick in the pan? Pan is approximately 5.5” in front and 8” in rear.
Or do you need to swap to a dual sump
If so what would that process be on a early 289
Thanks in advance for any help
 
Dual sump from a 79 foxbody with the dipstick in the pan with the pickup tube. You will need a main cap bolt with a stud on it for the pickup tube too.


Stay with a 28oz flywheel/flexplate.

Explorer belt drive fits the Ranger engine bay the nicest, they make an adaptor to use your 28oz balancer.

Whatever ignition you run make sure you stick with a cast iron drive gear for your flat tappet camshaft.

Dont go huge on the carb 400-500cfm should be plenty for a 4bbl.

289 exhaust manifolds are not the greatest for performance but do fit nice.

I have the convertible engine mounts in mine, if I had it to do over I would use V6 mounts with adapter plates.

Lots of reading here for ya:

 
I believe you will end up with the oil pan hitting the engine crossmember before it's resting on the motor mounts.

I ran into this issue years ago, I actually had the same engine and was planning on putting a different pan on it... but as you are aware that requires a dual sump pan with a dipstick tube installed because your block doesn't have a hole for it, and a different pickup tube. I ended up using a different engine but IIRC there was a pan available that would have worked.
 
ok thanks
That’s great info
I thought I heard of guys using a rear sump bronco pans on ranger swaps, but the motor would sit 1/2 higher. Anybody hear of that ?
is there a part # for a dual sump kit for a early 289, I think my timing cover does have a provision for a dip stick( just blocked off)
 
I believe you will end up with the oil pan hitting the engine crossmember before it's resting on the motor mounts.

I ran into this issue years ago, I actually had the same engine and was planning on putting a different pan on it... but as you are aware that requires a dual sump pan with a dipstick tube installed because your block doesn't have a hole for it, and a different pickup tube. I ended up using a different engine but IIRC there was a pan available that would have worked.
Thanks for info Shran
See pic below, do you know if his is the oil pan you are thinking about? also I thought I had seen guys using rear sump pans from early bronco for the ranger swap, just makes engine sit a bit higher..but I’d like to do right if possible
 

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Yeah... could be. It's been 10+ years since I did my swap, lol

Regardless, an engine sitting lower in the frame is better. Get it as low as possible. That way you can not only clear your heater box easier, you can slide the engine further back which gives you more room on the front end for the fan and radiator.
 
thanks, so would a dual pan fit on a 289 ? Do you know what part # I might need to make this happen, I thought I heard of guys using the rear sump pan from a early broncos, but I’d also like the engine as low as possible.

thanks in advance
Dual sump from a 79 foxbody with the dipstick in the pan with the pickup tube. You will need a main cap bolt with a stud on it for the pickup tube too.


Stay with a 28oz flywheel/flexplate.

Explorer belt drive fits the Ranger engine bay the nicest, they make an adaptor to use your 28oz balancer.

Whatever ignition you run make sure you stick with a cast iron drive gear for your flat tappet camshaft.

Dont go huge on the carb 400-500cfm should be plenty for a 4bbl.

289 exhaust manifolds are not the greatest for performance but do fit nice.

I have the convertible engine mounts in mine, if I had it to do over I would use V6 mounts with adapter plates.

Lots of reading here for ya:

 
Not offhand, they are reproduced and they were a one year only thing.

The dual sump straddles my axle crossmember nicely in my 4wd, 2wd may be different.

Do consider adding another rear drain plug on the other side (if 4wd anyway)
 
I am pretty sure that 66 289 blocks were 5 bolt bellhousings.
Something you might consider for transmission mounting.
 
I am pretty sure that 66 289 blocks were 5 bolt bellhousings.
Something you might consider for transmission mounting.

The 5 bolt went away the first few months of 1965.
 

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