88 302/90 Ranger Swap

[ryanglenn]

I been doing lots of research over the past few months and i think im just about ready to start my swap. I have a efi 302 from an 88 f150 4 speed standard 2wd that I am swaping in my 2wd 2.3 5spd ranger.
The only thing im unsure of right now is the wiring. I am going to get the manual from harwood performance but wondering if the manual will have the right info the f150 motor or do they prety much cover everything?. Another question, would the radiator from the f150 fit or am i better off getting a explorer rad?

And if you know of any other things i maght have problems with this motor or suggestions for the swap, that would be great! Thanks

 

[bobbywalter]

best way to give advice on something is to know its intended use, and budget goals. future possibilities can help too.





it sounds like you just plan on a streeter 2wd, which is pretty much standard stuff. car pan, oil relocator, plates or stang vert mounts for the engine. may have to mod the floor a lil for the shifter, and get the truck slip yoke. if its a tod...if its a t18/19 you will have to mod the shifter and the floor alot and run the external slave. quite a few ways to do those as well.

cooling i suggest a good aluminum summit type, say 25x19 with the moroso filler in the upper hose. these are very cost effective. mod the frame and core support to locate the radiator forward almost to the grille unless your keeping ac, leave room for the condensor in that case, and run a taurus fan.


with the truck system and induction you may have hood clearance issues and larger hvac box issues depending on where you set the engine and whether or not you want ac... simply put, you just mod the box and hood to make room as necessary. this is eased with body lifts but body lifts arent always good with a 2wd lowered street application.

theres various swap headers and factory manifild apliations. in this engines case sourcing a set of v8 explorer manifolds may be the easiest option cost wise, just depends on budget really.

 

[ryanglenn]

I have 2 rangers. One is a 98 the other is a 90. Im swaping the 1990.

I plan on using the truck for street purposes driving it often. My budget isnt too limited but just like everyone would like to keep it low as possible. I wolud like to have good performance, so is it beter to use a different transmission or is this one good enough?

For headers I was thinking tri-y's but if i could get away with using v8 explorer manifolds they will do.

 

[BigBlockRanger]

but if i could get away with using v8 explorer manifolds they will do.

boo explorer manifolds. They fit, but you'd be better off making some out of crazy straws.

 

[Mac]

I'd sure skip on any Explorer manifold if they are the stock tube type, the cast iron are better. In your truck I would sure go for the Tri-Y's, cheap and fit with no problems, same price as what you might find the Explorers on E-Bay. Probably the Explorer radiator would be a much better fit than the F-150, but not sure at all. The Harwood manual is more written around using the '93' Mustang wiring harness, sure there are difference. It is a really good general manual for the swap.
At least it's a start!
Dave

 

[bobbywalter]

tri-y seems to be a favorite. wth future engine upgrades they will be worth finding. a later m50dr2 or a stang type trans will be better too.