2.3L ('83-'97) 92 2.3L 4 cylinder 8 spark plug swap with 90 2.3L 4 cylinder 4 spark plug

[Wynco92]

Is it a straight swap for the 92 Ranger xlt 2.3L 8 spark plug into a 90 Ranger with a 2.3L 4 spark plug engine, or is the computer different.

 

[Dirtman]

Completely different electrical systems beyond just the ECM. 4 plug engine used a distributor, 8 plug uses crank and cam triggers.

But a 1990 should still be an 8 plug, they switched in 1989 unless it's not the original engine.

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you have a '90 with 4 spark plugs there's one of 2 things has happened, either it's a Canada truck with a carbureted 2.0L or someone has already swapped the engine to something older or played swaperoo with some random stuff... Does the engine have a coil pack on it right now? Does it have a distributor?

A '92 engine can be made to work, as long as the '92 engine is fairly complete and the '90 is fuel injected you can make it work with minimal changes assuming someone hasn't done anything stupid. With some things ironed out we can get you going.

 

[Dirtman]

If it's a 4 plug it has a distributor and swapping to EDIS to run an 8 plug engine is doable but not a simple swap... you need the whole wiring harness and ecm. As far as I know there was never EDIS on the pre 1989 4 plug engines.

 

[scotts90ranger]

There wasn't, but it isn't near as hard as you would think if you have the DIS module and wiring harness, the computer doesn't care on the '89-94' DIS system. I'm running 4 spark plugs with one coil pack on my 2.3L turbo on the '90 with the stock turbo computer and repinned Ranger engine harness... All that needs to happen wiring wise is follow the '91 wiring on the turbo swap page in the tech section, splice the two even and two odd DIS module outputs together (to get the tach working, otherwise you can just use the passenger side coil output) and that's about it... The DIS module HAS to be grounded on the 3 used bolts for it to work correctly consistently, I rolled mine finding that out...

 

[Dirtman]

Im just basing my level of explaining how complicated the swap is by the OP's question (are the computers different?) lol.

 

[RonD]

I think the Mustangs used the 4 spark plug/distributor 2.3l Lima until 1990, so probably a Mustang engine

Yes, Ranger used 8 spark plug 2.3l from 1989-1997
You could use the 1990 Mustang 2.3l in an 1985-1988 EFI 2.3l Ranger as is

No, can't do that swap anywhere close to easily
Yes, you would need the Mustangs computer and wiring harness, PLUS most of the engine bay electrics

And you can't easily convert the 1990 Mustang 2.3l to 8 spark plug because there is no way to mount the crank sensor
It would require an almost full tear down to swap front covers(if possible), and then swap over the head from the old 8 spark plug engine
Just not a practical swap
302 V8 swap would be easier, lol

You could eliminate computer, assuming manual transmission, and run a carburetor and stand alone spark system with vacuum advance, very little wiring needed

 

[Wynco92]

I think the Mustangs used the 4 spark plug/distributor 2.3l Lima until 1990, so probably a Mustang engine

Yes, Ranger used 8 spark plug 2.3l from 1989-1997
You could use the 1990 Mustang 2.3l in an 1985-1988 EFI 2.3l Ranger as is

No, can't do that swap anywhere close to easily
Yes, you would need the Mustangs computer and wiring harness, PLUS most of the engine bay electrics

And you can't easily convert the 1990 Mustang 2.3l to 8 spark plug because there is no way to mount the crank sensor
It would require an almost full tear down to swap front covers(if possible), and then swap over the head from the old 8 spark plug engine
Just not a practical swap
302 V8 swap would be easier, lol

You could eliminate computer, assuming manual transmission, and run a carburetor and stand alone spark system with vacuum advance, very little wiring needed

I think what threw me off was the coil pack, I will attach 2 photos. I did look closer and find the other 4 spark plugs so I should be good to go with the swap I think?

 

[RonD]

Yes, 1989 to 1994 2.3l dual spark plug engines can be easily swapped, 1995-1997 are another story, lol

 

[scotts90ranger]

That does make it a whole lot simpler, direct swap for the most part, they changed a few things here and there, some '90's had a MAP sensor with vacuum hose above the heater box on the firewall, some were MAF. Take pictures before you start, cell phones are good for that...

FWIW it isn't that hard to add a crank sensor to the old blocks, I've done it twice but the oil pan does have to come off.

 

[Dirtman]

Engines is goes vroom.

 

[scotts90ranger]

This engine stopped going vroom, went kinda clankity clank when it was running when I turned it off... only happened at WOT ~5000rpm... hence why I've put crank sensors on two blocks... it's sad too, that was a great running engine compared to the hack job I did throwing this one together...

 

[RonD]

Looks like a manufacturing defect for sure

 

[Dirtman]

It's a common misconception that engines need ALL the connecting rods attached to continue to go vroom.

 

[Wynco92]

Yes, 1989 to 1994 2.3l dual spark plug engines can be easily swapped, 1995-1997 are another story, lol

Thanks for your input its nice to have knowledgable people to talk to.