2.3L ('83-'97) Engine swap

[oldguy67]

I’m pretty sure it’s been posted, but is an engine interchange posted on here? Was wondering if a 94 2.3 would work in a 97 2.3? Thanks.

 

[Dav]

i swapped a 94 standard trans into a 95 automatic but kept the 95 motor. was told the motor sensors and cpu would not work due to 94 using DC power and the 95 using AC power for the control systems. i also recollect someone saying that the timing cover was different for the crank sensor mounting. i have a motor sitting out back that i was going to swap but decided to do new gaskets and seals while it's out. 2.3 timing gear requires a special puller to get it off. cost $340+ and is NLA. apparently the gear either slides right off or you're basically screwed

 

[RonD]

No, the front of the 2.3l engine was redesigned for 1995 so they are not compatible for swaps
1989-1994 can be swapped
1995-2000 can be swapped(1998-2000 were 2.5l, but same engine design)


1989 to 1994 used a Hall Effect Crank sensor under the front timing belt cover
1995 to 2000 used a VR Crank sensor on the outside of front cover
There is no "wiring" fix, the signals are incompatible

People have redrilled front covers to mount Hall Effect sensors, but....................whole lot of PRECISE measuring needed to get sensor in exactly the right spot
So I would just wait and find a 1989 to 1994 2.3l, or rebuild yours

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ron, not to be nit picky but you have it backward, he has a VR engine and found a '94 to swap in so backward of the normal questions

That said, I'm still with Ron, there's too many issues, you need to find a '95-early '01 2.3L/2.5L (in '01 mid year they switched from the 2.5L lima to the 2.3L duratec, so if a '01 pops up you want to watch for a 2.5L). Swapping the crank sensor is one issue that's not a huge deal since it's mounted on the front seal housing but the cam sensor is mounted on something that doesn't exist on the '89-94 blocks... Swapping the cam sensor onto a earlier block has been done but I've never done it so I don't know how much work it is really... I know where it is but it's behind the power steering pump so I haven't looked at it or compared to an older block...

 

[RonD]

Yes, sorry

Either way its a no swap

 

[Blmpkn]

Wait.... Ron was .. wr... wr.... wrooong?


I should go to bed. Clearly something is not right with today.

 

[scotts90ranger]

It happens, it's way more common for the question to come up if a say '97 will fit in a '90 so I know the struggle

 

[Josh B]

Wasn't wrong, simply mistaken