90 BII 4.0 Swap

[truckerdawg]

Tomorrow, I am going to try and crank the 4.0. I pre-lubed the engine a few minutes(turned the oil pump drive rod) high pressure melling oil pump. I am a old school carb guy even though I built a 2.9 before and got in running- I have no knowledge/sense of these computer- sensor- fuel injected engines. Because of this I am a little apprehensive. The exhaust is hooked up only through the y-pipe so that I would have the O2 sensor connected -Will this cause problems? I don't know. No headers on yet-wanted to do a short break-in first.

 

[country0001]

Looks good.

 

[truckerdawg]

Good news and time consuming bad news. Fired up immediately and idled smooth, BUT coolant leak in lower intake manifold gasket- I knew I didn't like the way it sat. I read a post somewhere that the one piece gaskets have problems with setting up a improper alignment( I thought the bolts would pull it down and correct that-no such luck). Fel pro made a 2 piece lower intake gasket set for this and I will go that route.

 

[truckerdawg]

Turns out the coolant leak was my temperature switch sensor. I had planned to replace it and therefore did not tighten it up and forgot about it. The headers are on but am missing an exhaust flange(lost it somehow) and so ordered another one. Easy fit on passenger side with alternator removed. Driver side was easy but threading thru dipstick was no fun.

 

[truckerdawg]

Been out of town working. Got the headers y-pipe installed and hooked up the exhaust. Would like to go 2 1/4" with a hooker muffler, but the exhaust and muffler on the BII are perfectly okay. We don't have smog testing here thankfully-I don't know how anything can flow through a catalytic converter. This is not a request for anti-smog clean air advocate posters. Also benched the transfer case into place and connected the drive shaft- that took a few choice words. I need to check the front drive shaft u-joints and then will get it in.

 

[jmburton1993]

im getting ready to do a swap from a 91 explorer into a 89 b2, any advice? and man that thing looks good

 

[truckerdawg]

I know it's been awhile. Have had the BII running and been working out of state since Christmas and before. So it is time for some minor updates. I added 3 inch coil lift springs which my daughter helped with the grunt work!

 

[truckerdawg]

To flatten everything back out I added the radius arm drop brackets, axle beam drop brackets, and a drop pitman arm. New front shocks were added at the time too.

 

[truckerdawg]

Of course, it needs new tires and wheels. But also I have welded a stack of 3 1/2 inch washers to give me another inch of height on the front-plan to add this weekend. I will deal with the back when I see the results. Changed out the dented front bumper too and went black(maybe yes, maybe no).

 

[dirtcowboy]

Well done! That is a very nice ride. Thanks for posting this build info.

 

[truckerdawg]

Thanks dirtcowboy. You qualify to be an Appalachian redneck with all those vehicles-and yes, America that is a compliment. So I did take care of the welded washer lift in front and added 2 inch blocks in back-already had 2 inches of rear leaf spring lift. The next projects as you know always predicated on $$ supply will be new carpet and maybe a paint job- I do kinda like the rugged paint look though.

 

[Harley]

your b2 build is really cool. like the way you detail everything around the area your working on....ill keep an eye on this build...thanks!

 

[nooch450]

Nice, that thing is mint! Was your 4.0 harness plug and play or did you need to move pins around? And is the dash harness from the 2.9 or did you swap that too?

 

[truckerdawg]

Dash harness was from the 2.9. The only thing that was needed in this was the 4.0 engine wiring- to the fuel injectors, EDIS, alternator, crankshaft sensor etc.. Basically all wiring on the driver side of the BII was good to be able to plug into the wiring to control the 4.0. I used my 2.9 fuse block, too. I did not need to move pins around. It took a long time looking for a body that didn't have rust-and having lived in an area where salt was used a lot I knew where to look because my last BII rusted till the body was sitting on the frame with no mounts. What are you doing with the Ranger now? Is the v8 on hold?

 

[nooch450]

The ranger is getting the 302 in time but i have a trip to Moab planned in August so the Bronco 2 is getting the Rangers 4.0 and M5OD. Good use of it anyway. I know what you mean about rust, its terrible!

So basically i just need the engine with the small center harness on engine and computer for the engine under the passenger kick plate. As well as the 4.0 starter wiring and the rest should plug in no issues?

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