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Engine Question wil aDF83 2.8 Engine from a ranger 84 fit in a mustang II 1978 with a 2.8 engine in it


Scamp351

Member
Joined
May 21, 2024
Messages
5
City
Holland
Vehicle Year
1978
Transmission
Automatic
Hello,
My name is Gerrit from Holland, i have a ford mustang II with a 171 v6 2.8 liter in it.
The problem what i have is my engine broke down, so i found by Jegs a remanufactured engine the DF83 for a 1983-1986 ford ranger 2.8l v6.
The mustang has the DF27 engine number.
By Jegs they can not say for 100% it wil fit, thats why i wil ask it this way.
I found out that the intake manifold gasket is different and the timingcover has a different waterpump the gasket to the egine has the same gasket.
But i can put that one from the mustang on the engine . The exhaust manifold gasket are the same.
Hope some one can give me some advice. Thanks
my other cars are:
69 mustang mach1 with 351C V4 4 speed
79 Trans am targa 403 engine automatic

Regards Gerrit v d Ende
 
Shouldnt be an issue. Probably need the oil pan from the car too. The bellhousing and motomounts should be the same. Your car will have the duraspark ignition system so use your cars distributor and carburator.
 
Did is the mustang 69
 

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Hello,
My name is Gerrit from Holland, i have a ford mustang II with a 171 v6 2.8 liter in it.
The problem what i have is my engine broke down, so i found by Jegs a remanufactured engine the DF83 for a 1983-1986 ford ranger 2.8l v6.
The mustang has the DF27 engine number.
By Jegs they can not say for 100% it wil fit, thats why i wil ask it this way.
I found out that the intake manifold gasket is different and the timingcover has a different waterpump the gasket to the egine has the same gasket.
But i can put that one from the mustang on the engine . The exhaust manifold gasket are the same.
Hope some one can give me some advice. Thanks
my other cars are:
69 mustang mach1 with 351C V4 4 speed
79 Trans am targa 403 engine automatic

Regards Gerrit v d Ende

If the exhaust gaskets are the same you should be good to go. At some point the cologne engines used a Siamese exhaust port configuration. The Rangers for sure did not have that, and I don't think any of the North American 2.8Ls did.

I don't know the difference between the Mustang II and Ranger intake manifolds, but I would assume that it was related to emissions. I do know that the aftermarket 4 barrel intake manifold that Offenhauser sold for the 2.8L would fit any 2.8L. As such I would think using your Mustang intake should not be a problem. Same should go for time cover, swap it and the oil pan over from your Mustang engine.

There were some internal changes over the years. I think either the camshaft or crank shaft journals changed size at some point. That is t going to be an issue for swapping the whole engine, just if you were rebuilding or trying to swap internals between them.
 
This thread makes me wonder if a 2.8 Mustang could be upgraded to 4.0 using all the 2.8 parts... Obviously would need different jets or maybe even a completely different carb. But...

Quick research shows it's not that simple.
 
Last edited:
This thread makes me wonder if a 2.8 Mustang could be upgraded to 4.0 using all the 2.8 parts... Obviously would need different jets or maybe even a completely different carb. But...

Quick research shows it's not that simple.
The 2.8 carb/intake and distributor wont even work on a 2.9...much less a 4.0
 
just “302” it.
 

7.3L might fit better, but why take the cheap and easy way out...

This thread makes me wonder if a 2.8 Mustang could be upgraded to 4.0 using all the 2.8 parts... Obviously would need different jets or maybe even a completely different carb. But...

Quick research shows it's not that simple.

Might not be able to use the 2.8L parts, but Tom Morana offers everything you'd need to carb that 4.0 and really make it breathe. Come on, you know you want to spend $3000 and do a carburetor conversion on a 4.0 to drop in place of that 2.8L. Might as well get the $1200 roller rocker kit to reduce friction and help it spin up a little quicker, and a camshaft for $400. Hey they've got a 4.3L stroker kit too, it's only $3700. With the stroker, you're probably going to need to give the heads some love too. Don;t worry, ole Tom has got you covered there as well, just another $3000 for new, fully ported ready to run heads with upgraded valves and springs.

You too could have a rip roaring, race ready V6 to repalce you tired old 2.8L for the measely price of $12,300.*

*Block machine work and assembly not included.



(Sorry, I get amused every time I start thinking about the stuff they offer and prices they ask.)
 

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