Found 2.3t engine complete...should I buy?

[Hagan]

I found a 2.3t engine with wiring harness and computer for $250! He said it ran good when he pulled it. I was planning on 2.3 turbo or 4.0 swap...but I would rather have a 2.3 turbo. Should I buy it? Its off a Mercury Merkur with a manual transmission!

I know the turbo is bigger on the manual transmission.

 

[pinturbo75]

actually most of the merkurs had a 48 housing on the t3 turbo... it will spool quicker.... being that you get the harness ecu and engine id say that is a very good price..... the merkur harness is pretty much a standalone harness.... that makes it easier to use..... and more desirable for the swap.... id go for it....

 

[Hagan]

Ok awesome!

I do plan on buying it. So doesn't the smaller turbo make less power? I know that when its smaller it spools faster.

What do you mean a standalone harness?

My pan was to rebuild the engine and in the future install it. I figured with the engine/harness/turbo/ecu its a very good deal. I hate scrounging for parts.

Also, the engine has been in his dry shop for awhile (I asked). lol

 

[pinturbo75]

you could still get near 300hp with that turbo.... id do a inspection of the engine,,,, check the bearings and take a look at the tops of the pistons to make sure they are not damaged from detonation ,,, if it looks good id run it... the motor in my video of the pinto had 185000 on it.... as for the harness,,,, the merkur is a european car built by ford... they built the body overseas and shipped it to the usa where they installed the engine and harness.... so its a very clean and simple harness to use.. none of the body electronics are built ino the harness...

 

[Hagan]

you could still get near 300hp with that turbo.... id do a inspection of the engine,,,, check the bearings and take a look at the tops of the pistons to make sure they are not damaged from detonation ,,, if it looks good id run it... the motor in my video of the pinto had 185000 on it.... as for the harness,,,, the merkur is a european car built by ford... they built the body overseas and shipped it to the usa where they installed the engine and harness.... so its a very clean and simple harness to use.. none of the body electronics are built ino the harness...

Wow, 300hp is more than my 6bt has in my Dodge

Anyway, do you think the guy will let me take off the head? Usually I just look at it and if it looks clean I buy it.

So, basically all I need to do is swap the harness/ecu, install the engine, can't remember if its intercooled or water cooled (pretty sure it is), figure out the intake, then weld a straight pipe exhaust and I'll be set.

Thanks for all the help!. I think checking out the internals will be worth my time. I'll make an offer with the guy. And say, "if I can take the head and oil pan off then I'll buy it for your asking price?"

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If I was the seller you wouldn't touch the motor [other than compression and leak-down tests] before buying it unless you put down a $250.00 non-refundable deposit.

Richard

 

[scotts90ranger]

that's a pretty good deal. My first turbo engine was $650 and I put a couple hundred in it after that. After that I got two semi complete engines for $240

You're close to me (I'm in NE Salem, off of Center st), we could meet some time and you could glean off of some of the good things I've done, and learn from some of the mistakes I've made . Honestly I'd suggest keeping the stock ranger harness since it's already there and nearly identical to what needs to be there other than a couple sensors that aren't all that hard to add.

 

[Hagan]

If I was the seller you wouldn't touch the motor [other than compression and leak-down tests] before buying it unless you put down a $250.00 non-refundable deposit.

Richard

I want to tear into it but its better if I just buy it and take it home. It won't be the end of the world if I have to rebuild it.

that's a pretty good deal. My first turbo engine was $650 and I put a couple hundred in it after that. After that I got two semi complete engines for $240

You're close to me (I'm in NE Salem, off of Center st), we could meet some time and you could glean off of some of the good things I've done, and learn from some of the mistakes I've made . Honestly I'd suggest keeping the stock ranger harness since it's already there and nearly identical to what needs to be there other than a couple sensors that aren't all that hard to add.

I think its a great deal too! I would definitely like to check out your work. I actually live in Jefferson though. But I have friends that are in Salem (someone off this site too!).

I'll have to do a lot more research after my lift is done. I just came upon this and figured It was too good to pass up!

 

[Hagan]

I just got back from buying it. It looks decent. I forgot coast=rust and some of the pulleys are rusty. I didn't check anything out other than sticking my fingers in the turbo and spinning it. I didn't check free play though. The guy seemed trustworthy but who knows. I will have pics up soon!

 

[Hagan]

Here it is....

So, what do you think?

 

[drivenyam]

A little jealous honestly....lol

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

 

[Hagan]

A little jealous honestly....lol

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

lol I won't hold it against you! I just hope it turns out to be a good buy

 

[Hagan]

I just checked the turbo and its a Garret. It shows A.R. 60 on the front. And has a bunch of numbers on the tag. Also, it looks like its oil and water cooled! Sounds good so far.

 

[scotts90ranger]

not bad.

I wouldn't worry about any of the pullies as you can use everything that's mounted to your current engine.

Get a Ranger roller cam for it and put it in before you get to the swap. I gathered parts for at least 6 months before I swapped mine in I believe. If doing that swap intimidates you, I'll come over and help, there's a couple other things to do while you are that far into it too.

My truck runs sweet right now... I believe I'm getting most of the bugs worked out. New thread to follow

 

[Hagan]

not bad.

I wouldn't worry about any of the pullies as you can use everything that's mounted to your current engine.

Get a Ranger roller cam for it and put it in before you get to the swap. I gathered parts for at least 6 months before I swapped mine in I believe. If doing that swap intimidates you, I'll come over and help, there's a couple other things to do while you are that far into it too.

My truck runs sweet right now... I believe I'm getting most of the bugs worked out. New thread to follow

Pulleys aren't a big deal...but the internals are.

Do you have any suggestions for what I should do? I think running this engine would be better than running my current engine because of this engine is built for the turbo. Do you think I should run this turbo? I checked the compressor side and there was very minimal free play side to side (I was told there is supposed to be for the oil to flow around it) and there is absolutely no free play in and out. And it spins freely and there isn't any chips on the fins.

And I would definitely like your help