83 Ranger 2.8L replacement

[pgiw]

I picked up an 83 Ranger 4x4 with a 2.8L V6 a while back. The previous owner had pulled the original engine and (partially) installed a replacement. He passed away and the truck sat in his daughter’s garage for many years. I like the looks of the truck and thought it would be a nice project to get it running again. The truck only has 6oK original miles on it. My problem is the truck was missing most of the engine compartment wiring, the carb, distributer, and some other stuff. I was able to grab a wiring harness, distributer, and carb from the junkyard, but their working condition is unknown. No idea how to deal with the computer or where some of the wires and vacuum lines are supposed to go. The truck is old enough that i don't need to worry about emissions testing anymore. I'd like to remove all the emissions stuff that i can. Is it possible to simplify this down so that I can just use a simpler carb and distributor? I just want to get the thing running and keep it as simple as possible. I have been looking through the forums and I'm a little overwhelmed on where to start.

 

[komoto123]

Sounds like you want to duraspark your truck. A few questions to start off. Is the replacement motor a 2.8 as well? And if you could post pictures that would help. Also a lot of information can be found in the tech library which is the link below

-----> http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

 

[JoshT]

As komoto said it sounds like you want to do the duraspark conversion. Here' a link straight to that tech article since its under a different section than the rest of the 2.8L stuff.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_8Duraspark.shtml

 

[pgiw]

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate the links and the help. I think I probably posted way too soon and should have spent a little more time reading and learning. Sadly I don't know what I don't know about this vehicle. I'll dig into the tech articles and come back if I have specific questions that aren't answered already somewhere else. To answer the original question, the truck has a replacement 2.8l engine, just like the one that was removed. I also have a spare 2.8 that was included in the deal (it's not the original one either). I don't know why he pulled the original but I guess that's water under the bridge now. Thanks again for the help (and the patience).