Completely Green Newby

[Sherando]

Hey everyone, so here's a bit of background. I was extremely close to my grandmother Barbara, and I grew up in the middle seat (My older brother always got passanger) of her silver with red interior 88 Ranger XLT. When I turned 15 she passed, and when I was 16, her old truck became mine and my brothers until he got a car. Unfortunately my brother got into a small wreck and the driverside fender and bumper is a little dented and bent up. I loved the character of the truck but hated how slow she accelerated. On ramps were a challenge haha. Unfortunately when I went to collage the engine lost compression and she's been sitting ever since. I have never once touched an engine or really mechanics in my entire life. But I have always wanted to give the ol truck the same spirit my granny had, the fiesty old woman. I want to do a boss 302 swap. But I have absolutely no idea how or where to even begin. Is there like a guide on here? Or any one that can point me in the right direction lol thank you in advanced, sorry I know close to nothing

 

[rumblecloud]

Welcome to TRS....
There is an absolute crap-ton of info here: Tech Library.
And if you get stuck, most of the peeps who created the articles in the Tech section are still hanging around helping.
You're in for an educational, rewarding and fun experience.

To start, please post some pics of your project and add as much info about your truck into your signature. That will help others who read your posts.

 

[Sherando]

Will do!

 

[Curious Hound]

Welcome to TRS!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Just remember, reading about and doing are two different things. I never would want to discourage a newbie and possible future gearhead but an engine swap (even an common, somewhat easy one like a 302 into a ranger) is a involved and pricy process.

Youll be changing motor mounts, wireing, transmission, linkages, etc etc. Not to mention the choices between which 302 to use (power output varies greatly over their build span), carb or efi, which trans to use. Etc etc.

Like i said not trying to discourage, just i know how sentimental a vehicie can be and just dont want ya jumpin in over your head, getting discouraged and saying screw it lol.

Tearing it apart is the easy part.

oh and welcome to TRS

 

[pjtoledo]

we don't want to rain on your parade, but,,, if there's a storm on the horizon you should be told.
'ya might want to find out exactly what you have to work with.
crawl underneath for a thorough inspection. take a small hammer and tap on anything that isn't good paint.
show us a few pictures, we luv giving opinions

 

[Rimjam]

A REAL Boss 302 motor is gonna cost you upwards of $5000 if you can find one and that's just the beginning. For now replace the original motor with same or have original rebuilt. Learn from that & one day you can go unlimited.

 

[Chapap]

If you have an enclosed shop to work in, spare time, and no deadline, I’d want to pull that engine and rebuild it. Of course that depends on how shot it is. Heck if it’s got to come out anyway, just pull it and disassemble it either way. That’ll tell you how comprehensive your tool box is.

You don’t even have to remove the engine. Just start the process. There’s quite a bit of wrenching before you get to that point.

Of course this is assuming that selling isn’t an option… which that’s how it sounds. And it’s not all done willy nilly. Gotta learn along the way so you know what you’re doing

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You know if its a 2.3 it might be just a bad timing belt or something...someone not familar with stuff coulda slapped a compression gauge on it and seen it was low (which, a busted timing belt may cause atleast on a couple cylinders) and said it was shot,

Id run thru it and do some diagnostics before i went full bore into a swap or rebuild, plus you'll learn things that will help you if it does come to that.

 

[Chapap]

You know if its a 2.3 it might be just a bad timing belt or something...someone not familar with stuff coulda slapped a compression gauge on it and seen it was low (which, a busted timing belt may cause atleast on a couple cylinders) and said it was shot,

Id run thru it and do some diagnostics before i went full bore into a swap or rebuild, plus you'll learn things that will help you if it does come to that.

In my mind that was step one. I just got excited thinking of pulling an engine.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

In my mind that was step one. I just got excited thinking of pulling an engine.

It is exciteing, untill things start snapping.

 

[Chapap]

It is exciteing, untill things start snapping.

That’s just an opportunity for extra practice with the forum’s search functions.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That’s just an opportunity for extra practice with the forum’s search functions.

Who the hell uses that?

 

[Chapap]

Who the hell uses that?

I use it all the time. I’m a pro searcher.

BTW… do you know if anyone has ever tried to put a lift on these twin I-beam trucks?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I use it all the time. I’m a pro searcher.

BTW… do you know if anyone has ever tried to put a lift on these twin I-beam trucks?

Quite a few guys. Anything over 3in (iirc) requires drop brackets to keep camber in check.