85 Ranger getting some teeth...

[85_Ranger4x4]

With the engine out I got the engine crossmember cleaned and painted.

I couldn't think of a better time to paint, especially since it kind of looked like bare steel.

Broke out the sidecutters and eliminated all the extra wiring. I had everything I unplugged tagged... and didn't cut anything that was still plugged in.

I got the engine and tranny hauled to shop so I can start getting them ready. I couldn't resist sticking my carb and air cleaner on for giggles though.

Carb (Edelbrock 1403) on my intake (Weiand Stealth)

The whole ball of wax:

Stripped back down for installation:

I did hit a little snag on my tranny though. I didn't get a neutral start switch with it so I orded one for a C5 and I don't see how it will work. The transmission isn't notched for the tabs inside the switch. I have been looking up different years of C4/C5 and most come up with the same switch or something drastically different. I am not sure how it would work without the tabs anyway... any ideas?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Any ideas on my NSS situation?

I have a C4 that has the notches, can I swap those parts to use it?

While cleaning up the engine bay I found a plug that fits the NSS perfectly, so I kinda want to use it if I can.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I looked up the bracket last night and since it appears it is darn near the last part out and the first back in it looks like I am not going to have a NSS.

Next step is the fuel pump. I am using the Mr. Gasket pump recomended earlier, found a nice open place on the rear of the frame to mount it. The truck has a blue what I assume to be nylon fuel line. The pump has hose barbs. The pump is supposed to be mounted at a 45 degree angle to level so the nylon wouldn't connect directly to it anyway.

Can I just put a hose and a clamp on the nylon or what is the best way to connect the fuel pump to it? I have done it with steel lines on gravity fed systems but I have never done anything with plastic fuel lines before.

 

[baddad457]

I went directly off the steel tubing coming out of the tank with 3/8" fuel hose. That was ten years ago. The hose is still there. But the tank isn't.

 

[The_Dealer]

were u previously durasparked? what radiator are u using? and are u using the rbv accessories or the donor motors?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I went directly off the steel tubing coming out of the tank with 3/8" fuel hose. That was ten years ago. The hose is still there. But the tank isn't.

I don't see any steel line... did you pull the tank to find some steel line and mount the pump behind it? Since mine was carbed to start with I wonder if it is different.

were u previously durasparked? what radiator are u using? and are u using the rbv accessories or the donor motors?

Yup, Durasparked for about 3 years, the new engine will be too. Going to use the Ranger alternator (mine uses a '86+ internally regulated alternator for some reason)

My power steering pump is loud so I won't be reusing it. I kept it for mockup if needed if I have fitment issues with the donar pump.

I have a 2 row 4.0 Explorer rad with a slow leak I got for free, it will give me an idea if it is up the task before I drop the coin for a new one.

 

[baddad457]

Mine was EFI with the pump assembly in the tank. The tube I used to draw from was the return line. I mounted the fuel pump on the driver's side frame rail (outside the frame) protected by a stainless steel panel I fabricated. I went outside the frame to make it easier to change the inline filter between the tank and pump

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine was EFI with the pump assembly in the tank. The tube I used to draw from was the return line. I mounted the fuel pump on the driver's side frame rail (outside the frame) protected by a stainless steel panel I fabricated. I went outside the frame to make it easier to change the inline filter between the tank and pump

Originally I just had a mechanical fuel pump on the side of the engine with no return.

 

[jhammel85]

Very informative build.

I'm excited to see it finished (sure you are too)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm excited to see it finished (sure you are too)

Words cannot describe

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I got the rear seal changed and the better seperator plate stuck on so I didn't forget. I also put the 302 on the shop's stand and my 2.8 on mine until I decide exactly what to do with it.

Tomorrow I am going to put the tranny on the engine, and if I can find a helper to move my truck back into the main shop maybe set it in there sometime this weekend.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Lookin good!

 

[Sighman]

Any ideas on my NSS situation?

I have a C4 that has the notches, can I swap those parts to use it?

While cleaning up the engine bay I found a plug that fits the NSS perfectly, so I kinda want to use it if I can.

I'm using a B&M shifter that a NSS built right in as well as a back up switch....Just a thought....

 

[Sighman]

Mine was EFI with the pump assembly in the tank. The tube I used to draw from was the return line. I mounted the fuel pump on the driver's side frame rail (outside the frame) protected by a stainless steel panel I fabricated. I went outside the frame to make it easier to change the inline filter between the tank and pump

This is exactly what I did as well!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm using a B&M shifter that a NSS built right in as well as a back up switch....Just a thought....

What shifter do you have? Any pics?

I have the regular C5 shifter, but really I am not quite thrilled with it. The base floorplate has been hacked up for some reason, they cut out the part that holds down the 4wd boot, and the knob is kind of nasty... I don't have the proper bezel for it. I will probably just bypass the NSS for now and regroup after I get the thing running.