Greetings from 1994

[ForgedCrank]

...and that's why I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't take a chance on another used takeout engine. The repalcement engine could be better, it could be the same, or it could be worse. You've got no way of knowing without opening it up and looking and at that point you are already practically rebuilding.

I'd consider buying a used engine to rebuild and swap in, but I don't see the advantage to that in this case. If the truck were uable then sure. In this case pulling the engine and rebuilding it does not take a usable vehicle off the road for the duration, it sounds like the vehicle is already unusable.

Ok, this may sound silly, but I'm the silly type. The reason I'm reluctant to rebuild the one that is in it now is if I pull it, it's going to take me a couple of months to get machine work done, parts ordered, assembly, etc. And here's the silly part... I'm afraid I'll forget way too much about the tear-down of the engine bay and struggle to remember where everything goes by the time I get an assembled engine ready. In the end, I'll probably end up doing what you are suggesting, I'm just waffling about the whole thing right now... I'll get over it and dive in eventually. I just have to run all the numbers to keep the cost under control and pick the best route.

 

[JoshT]

In regards to the time concern. As said, I wouldn't install the replacement engine without rebuilding it as well. You will have the same time issues there. Your best/only way around that IMO is to source a reman. Quick Google search showed them available for around 1800-2500. Considering price of head, specialty tools, and machine work, you may be ahead of the game just getting a reman. Definitely something to consider.

FWIW my V8 block machine work was projected at 1 month lead by the shop, and about 3 weeks into that.

In regards to forgetting, you've got a very useful tool for that in your pocket. Take lots of pictures during disassembly. For the most part it only comes apart and goes together one way. Pistons and rods are the main thing you have to be concerned with mixing up, and they are marked, so picture would work to remind you of how they go in. Also pick up a Haynes or Chilton's repair manual for the truck. It will cover almost everything you need to know for fixing anything on it, including engine assembly and disassembly. Or you could spring for the Ford shop manuals that get even more detailed

 

[pjtoledo]

reassembly starts with disassembly, take detailed pictures and LABEL EVERYTHING.
tape all hoses & ports, sharpie all big parts, put bolts & small stuff in baggies.
keep a list of what you remove as you go, if you touch it write it down.

if done properly it's simply a matter of following instructions.


and learn to type faster

 

[ForgedCrank]

In regards to the time concern. As said, I wouldn't install the replacement engine without rebuilding it as well. You will have the same time issues there. Your best/only way around that IMO is to source a reman. Quick Google search showed them available for around 1800-2500. Considering price of head, specialty tools, and machine work, you may be ahead of the game just getting a reman. Definitely something to consider.

FWIW my V8 block machine work was projected at 1 month lead by the shop, and about 3 weeks into that.

In regards to forgetting, you've got a very useful tool for that in your pocket. Take lots of pictures during disassembly. For the most part it only comes apart and goes together one way. Pistons and rods are the main thing you have to be concerned with mixing up, and they are marked, so picture would work to remind you of how they go in. Also pick up a Haynes or Chilton's repair manual for the truck. It will cover almost everything you need to know for fixing anything on it, including engine assembly and disassembly. Or you could spring for the Ford shop manuals that get even more detailed

I appreciate all of the input. At this point, I'm still searching for a junkyard replacement to overhaul myself since I do not know the condition of the block. This thing, based on what I'm seeing on the head, got extremely hot, so everything is suspect now. These are seemingly difficult to find for the most part, but I am limiting my search to specifically telling them make/model/MY. My concern is that I end up with something that has a block or head that is even slightly different. Is there a cross-reference somewhere that can help me expand my search for head/block combinations that are the same? I'm ok just having a usable long block and re-using all of my manifolds, etc. One question that keeps coming up is EGR equipped or not. I don't know if I can use a non-EGR unit or not, or if the head is somehow different. Mine does have the EGR system on it. I've also read that the Ranger head ports are different than what they put on cars, but I can't validate that, so I don't know how much room I have to pick other stuff in the 2.3 range that are the same.

 

[JoshT]

and learn to type faster

Maybe I missed something, wouldn't be unusual, but... Why?

 

[pjtoledo]

Maybe I missed something, wouldn't be unusual, but... Why?

you posted while I was still typing. that's why it's in italics with a thumbs up