engine swap question

[ddman]

hey guys, new to this forum, but not new to mechanics, we have a 87 ford ranger conversion truck. it has the bed like a dually but we are running 50's on the rear, it was bought that way. not sure of the conversion company, but any way on to my questions.
weare replacing the 2.8l v6 and transmission with a engine i believe is a 2.9 or 3.0. it is out of a 87 ford minivan. the motor run in the van, and we know it is good. we got rid of the 2.8 already. now we put the motor in and had to cut slots for the mounts to fit in and level the engine as well. what we are not sure of is how to get the electrical stuff plugged up. all the plugs are different. if we find a minivan with the same plugs as what we have, can we simply change the harness, or do we need to find an engine with the same plug on the sensors as wht we have, and change all the sensors? isthere anywhere that can make a harnes for what we have? and last but not least, if we can change the harness, how does it connect, like on my dakota you can unplug the engine harness atthe firewall, is the ranger the same? thanks for your help and ill get some pics of the truck and post up soon. thanks brian

 

[mercman]

Need to know what mini van you took it from. Aerostar I assume, If so and your engine bolted straight to your transmission you have a 2.9, or 4.0. That engine is fuel injected, so you will need the fuel system pretty much from the tank to the fuel rail, including high pressure pump, and regulator. You will also need all the wiring for your new engine. The computers are under the passenger kick panel, and will also need changed. You can and should take these parts from a ranger or bronco 2. Positively ID your engine before spending anymore money on it. Check in the tech pages they may help you with this. Hope this helps let us know and good luck.

 

[ddman]

the original motor was fuel injected, and so is this one. the motor did bolt straight to the trans. maybe be a 2.9. had one guy who rebuilds wrecked rangers tell us the computer for the 2.8 will run the 2.9 with no problems, but then we went to hook everything up and nothing has the same plugs.

 

[mercman]

The 2.8 only came carburated, maybe the computer will work, but I doubt it there are lots of differances in engine management. Did your truck have after market induction? You need to know what you took out and what you have. There should be a sticker with smog diagrams under your hood usually on the core support. This should also have displacement on it somewhere.

 

[ddman]

ok, the old motor was a 2.9 and the one we are puting in it is a 2.9. both are supposed t be 87 model motors. but all the plugs for the engine are different. both were fuel injected. can we just get sensors and replace them, or can we do the wire harness and get around all that. we dont have the old motor anymore so we cant use those sensors or manifolds. which is another thing, the driverside is hitting the steering shaft. have to find one out of a truck i gess. any help will be appreciated. thanks

 

[mercman]

Not too sure what the van/truck differences are. On the 2.8's I know the manifolds are different. You will most likely have to get the sensors that fit your harness. I don't think you could use the van's harness, as the van's engine bay will be dimensioned differently (wire lengths). Not sure where the van's computer was mounted either. Sorry I can't be of more help to you but I'm not really familiar with what you have going on at this point.