Help locate air filter housing, please

[odeek9]

Hi-First post so please forgive my lack of knowledge and forum rules. I have an '86 Ranger, 2.3L (10,000 mi. on Jasper rebuilt), 5 sp., 2WD and have owned it since it was but a year old and love it.
I have a cracked air filter housing and have been sealing the darn thing for years. Why? I cannot find one new, used (ebay, pick n pull, etc.) anywhere. I don't understand as it's a common truck but everything I find is a different configuration. If I can I'm going to try and show a photo here if I can.
Second really quick question-I've never known my "trim" and always just put "base" when asked. How do I find out thanks?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Around here the older carbed trucks are allways the first to go to the crusher you just need to keep checking the bone yards until you get lucky. Your link didnt work upload your photos to a photobucket account and put the link here.

 

[odeek9]

OK Thanks. It's EFI by the way. I just set up that picassa photo deal for this post-did something wrong I guess-thanks for the heads up. I'll join photobucket now then edit my post

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Sorry the 2.3 is fuel injected maybe the californica models were different?

 

[odeek9]

I am in Ca. The pic now shows

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS...if I'm not mistaken, I just acquired a 92 3.0 truck and the air box is in the same place and would probably work with your setup...or even another 2.3...they are in the same place and may require a few mods if not exactly the same, but it's not something that is beyond the level of most people even with very little or no experience.

I have been thinking of modifying my carbed air intake to run through a similar setup...and the 90 Mustang that I was looking at recently has a similar air filter box...so maybe just scout around for anything with a 2.3 and measure them up to make sure they will fit your current space, and get any hoses and fittings for the replacement...

The 2.3 was so common and the air intakes are usually in the same place on the motor...you just have to adapt something...but having all the parts is important.

 

[odeek9]

Thanks for the thought Mark. I've considered something like that but you're so right in assuming my abilities are limited though when not disabled (and I can still function OK but everything takes 5 times longer, lol) I have done many bits of work on my truck albeit nothing more complex than replacing pads and rotors and calipers-just did that. Yea for me. Old man my ass.
One barrier-not an excuse-just a problem is that I'm very reclusive, live in the Coastal Range 30 mi. from parts store with only the truck. If I don't have everything on hand, and I won't, I'm up the creek stranded until an online order can arrive.
I may just take it off and really spend some time carefully repairing the box-very carefully-and re-installing. Hope springs eternal, thanks!

 

[Mazda]

If you haven't found or tried this site yet. Give it a try.

http://www.junkyarddog.com/

Used to find a lot of stuff for my friends 88 when he had it.

Bryan

 

[Lil-Pony]

Even lkq auto recycling might have it.

 

[adsm08]

The 4-cly upper is a bit harder to come by because it has the IAC on it. The 2.9 had it on the intake manifold.

 

[odeek9]

Thanks to both you and Brian! Will try them-alan

 

[Mazda]

Also I would try to get all that rtv off of it and go to the hardware store and get some 3/4 or 5/8 black door weatherstripping and use that to make a gasket for the air box.
Or am I missing something else that is wrong with it.

Bryan

 

[odeek9]

Yeah I will-I just slapped a new layer on because that's all I had and it looks like Hell. All that's wrong with the housing is that two small areas on the upper lip where the screws go in are broken so I can't get a good seal there. I know that there are better, and more attractive, ways of doing it which is why I'm about ready to redo it as soon as I know that I won't need the truck for a couple of days as it's all I have. Thanks for your continued support!!

 

[Mark_88]

If it makes you feel better, your work on there is professional compared to some of the things I've encountered...and some of the things I've done...my first intention is to make something work first and then figure out the fine tuning later when time allows and parts are available...

You should see my "oil catch can"...looks like crap...but it does actually work better than not having it there...

 

[odeek9]

Yeah, yeah you're just trying to make me feel better. B+ for effort, F for result, lol! In my defense, if one exists, is that the tube of RTV was about 5 years old and I had to cut it in thirds and then dig my fingers in it. The stuff was everywhere.
I do like the gasket idea. I can hear, even the day the rebuild was all done and installed a fairly loud hissing sound that I can't find. The mechanic also heard it but gave no resolution. The new engine caused many component failures (alternator, starter, relays, etc. so half of the components are also relatively new). What little I know of a vacuum gauge tested fine, and my little inexpensive code reader only puts out codes for the egr valve control sensor fault-whatever that is-, tachometer (which I don't have anyway), and one of several other egr faults (code 34) . The compression is 185,190,185,185 so with my rudimentary skills I keep thinking that the housing is the culprit. I can't find the leak with my stethoscope anywhere though.
You may need to know that none of the emission components have been touched in 26 years-where I live as the population density is so weak we are exempt from smog tests. More info than anyone needed? Sorry, ha!