head problems

[Phkin Eh]

I thought I had the head off 88 2.3 but it's off 87 2.3 will it still go onto 92 2.3 block

 

[rurouni20xx]

yes it will just make sure its a dual spark head for your rangers ignition system. the cam arrangement is going to be dif how its assembled tho 89 up has the hydraulic roller lifters where as the 88 down heads had either flat tappets or solid roller lifters. check to see which one you have and decide how you want to go with it if your changing cams etc. im still looking at grinds myself and cant decide where i want to order my parts from. seen esslinger offers a 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.7 stroker steel knife weight crank and a billet 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.85 stroker for the reg 2.3 block and a billet 3.0 stroker for a talldeck svo block so i hav new decisions to make...

 

[Phkin Eh]

The head`I want to use is only 4 plug it came off 2.3 with a distributor and I want to put it on my 92 2.3 that is distributorless can I do that or maybe I'm not understanding it right.

 

[rurouni20xx]

looks like everybody running 4 plug heads that im seeing is either running standalone fuel management systems, electronic ignition (xdi conversion with carburetor) or a distributor w/ carb/aftermarket fuel injection system. making the ford 8 plug ignition system work on a 4 valve head is a blur to me as well. thats why i ruled out the volvo b234 16v head conversion that and the sheer headache/expense/fabrication of both manifolds then tune it out. would love to do it but its too much work and im not a welder..:-( they make plenty of cams and options that will fit our 8 plug heads and you can machine out the rest of the equation if necessary. look at esslingeracing.com for complete cam kits, you can also look into racerwalsh.com for cam parts to mix and match. i still need to read about how the lifter arrangement is assembled as i have never done one before, (mousetrap clips wtf?) wouldnt hurt to call and see what recommendations they hav cam wise etc, they can even custom build a head for you if you want to take the easy route lol.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm running the stock '89 DIS on an '86 engine with 4 plugs, works great, it'll work the same as I've said before in your other post, still the only thing you will have to do is remote mount the ignition module and use the intake manifold that was mounted to the head before (different pattern than what you have now), and like I said, mount your stock throttle body to the other intake so your wiring works.

if you get it together with just the passenger side coil pack installed you should get spark and run, if not, try plugging in the drivers side coil without any plug wires attached, if that doesn't work, cut the connector off that went to that coil and connect the outer two to a ground and ignore the middle one (stick some heat shrink or tape it up so it doesn't short on anything). a note on the ignition module, you'll want to mount it to an aluminum plate or something and connect that to a ground, my setup looks like this:

it's not prety, but it works...

 

[rurouni20xx]

so in other words you are using half the edis and running one coil pack? would that not short the edis unit out? and does your cel go off for whichever coil misfire?

 

[scotts90ranger]

that's what grounding out those two wires is for, to make the module think both are firing, not to mention I'm running on the '86 ECM so it probably doesn't have the code for that anyway

 

[Ranger44]

Just get the correct head. For a 89'-94' you'll need an 8 plug head. Because in order for the DIS to properly work it'll need ALL 8 plugs. Why else would it come with them??????

The 4 plug head could work......EDIS4 could be made to work. Snag the ICM, and 4 plug coil off a 91-97 Escort, and a crank dampener, CPS, and front cover off a 95-00' Ranger 4cyl. But I'm sure you're not wanting to do this......

I have a head off a 93', it'll need a little cleaning but it was rebuilt about a year ago. $65 shipped.

 

[rurouni20xx]

rebuilt how? like bronze valve guides and oversize stainless valves maybe?