Confused about engine swap

[treblot]

I have a 87 Ranger 2.3 FI automatic with no engine. I have a 89 engine in good shape but distributorless ignition. I would rather use the distributor but the exhaust manifold gets in the way of the distributor cap. Should I look for a 87 cylinder head? Would it allow room for the distributor?

 

[Mark_88]

Hmmm...are you sure it's not the intake manifold? The distributor on these engines is usually on the driver's side and that is typically the intake side.

Other than that...using the distributor-less setup would require changing the wire harness(es) and adding the ignition coil packs...they go on the exhaust side if I'm not mistaken...

The heads should be the same on either setup if you are using an engine older than 97...the only differences would be either distributorless or carbed/fuel injected setup...where some have manual fuel pumps and others have electronic pumps...you might want to look at what the current fuel system and wiring will support without having to change anything in that regards.

 

[Dave R]

I'd vote, look for a pre-'88 2.3 cylinder head. Doesn't have to be from a Ranger though.

Do you have any of the other parts from the '87 motor?

 

[treblot]

It might be the intake side. It was last March when I last looked at it but I am getting ready to try again. Would an 87 cylinder head clear the distributor? I am trying to avoid changing the pcm and wiring harness, although I do have the coil packs. I no longer have the 87 engine,

 

[Dave R]

Would an 87 cylinder head clear the distributor?

Yes, provided you have the '87 style intake manifold.

I am trying to avoid changing the pcm and wiring harness, although I do have the coil packs. I no longer have the 87 engine,

An '87 wouldn't have "coil packs", it would only have the (one) standard "E-coil" that all other EEC-IV motors had.

Also, the '89 short block will work with a distributor. It's just that the '89+ intake won't clear the distributor and therefore the '89 head is of no use.

 

[Mutant Pony]

If you or someone you know is capable of making a sheetmetal intake the '89 head is actually a little better. Of course if you have everything to cast aluminum then that would be even better.

 

[Dave R]

Actually, if he was going to the trouble of having an intake fabricated, I'd vote he moves up to a '95+ head, they breathe better right out of the 'box'.

 

[treblot]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I think the least expensive thing for me to do is find a 89 ecm and wiring harness for the 89 engine and go distributor-less since I do have the coil packs for the 89 and the 87 head would cost more. Someone said I would be opening a can of worms in doing this but since I have the complete 89 engine doesn't it make sense?

 

[Dave R]

Someone said I would be opening a can of worms in doing this but since I have the complete 89 engine doesn't it make sense?

It's a fine idea as long as you don't mind doing a bit of rewiring. If you hit up a junkyard, you can get most of the wiring 'sub-harness' for the DIS module/pick-up that you'll need.