Generation Gap

[Ranger-Rod]

I'm sure somewhere along the line this has been covered. So I apologize in advance!

I have a '95 Ranger with a broken connecting rod.
A buddy of mine has a 2.3 with the 2.5 crank and .060 over pistons, and the block was decked .020. The block was an '87.

He ran the engine in a 4 cylinder bomber race. Health forced him to quit.
The engine ran two races.

He says I can have the block.
I know I would need my 8 plug head, but other than that I could use this engine right?

Is there anything I would have to make sure I use from my engine?

 

[Blacksmith1]

if you are only using the shortblock you would need EVERYTHING else from your engine.
correct me if I'm wrong but the 95 used a crank sensor instead of a distibutor, didn't it?
if you can get all of your equipment and accessorys on that 87 block it should work. but since the newest one I ever worked on was my 87, I can't say for sure.

 

[Ranger-Rod]

Yes my '95 is distributorless.
There is a crank trigger.
I didn't think about this. Does anyone know if the front crankshaft cover and my crank trigger will all mount on this engine?

 

[TireIron]

the 95+ has a different crankshaft position sensor and ring, and the 95+ also has a camshaft position sensor on the auxiliary sprocket. Both of those will not mount on the 87 block with LOTS of work to get them positioned perfectly. You would be better off using a block from a 95-00 ranger as the sensors will be the same and everything will bolt up. If you had a 94 or older then you could use the 87 block with minor difficulties, but the 95+ has A LOT of things different with it.

 

[Ranger-Rod]

Thank You!