Huge problem and a few questions.

[Butts]

So I was driving along and a slight tick developed into a loud knock. I pulled over and discoverd that a rod grenaded and put a hole in the oil pan. The only engine I could find to replace it with is a 8 plug distributorless 2.3 out of a 91 mustang. Since I have a 88 ranger 4 plug I need to know what it takes to make this work. This is my only option and I got the whole mustang for $275 and it runs.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Duane867]

You need the complete ignition system and fuel injection system from the donor including the computer. Swap it in a get to splicing wires ;-)

 

[Butts]

Would purchasing a Megasquirt be any easier?

 

[vince87ranger]

clean up your rangers head and put it on the mustangs short block. pull the dummy distributor out and put your dizzy in, this is basically what i did in my ranger, two problems i can think of i ran into was the upper timing pulley needed to be swapped because the belts were not the same. and the second was my 92 mustangs motor didn't have fuel pump hole for the carb. i ran an electric pump, but if yours is fuel injected it wont matter. let me know if you need any help!

 

[Southern3.0]

+1 on what vince said. Thats the easiest way to go.

 

[Captain Ledd]

You need the complete ignition system and fuel injection system from the donor including the computer. Swap it in a get to splicing wires ;-)

NO. If your using the existing Ranger wireing and harness, you shouldn't need to splice anything. It's all already there.

clean up your rangers head and put it on the mustangs short block. pull the dummy distributor out and put your dizzy in, this is basically what i did in my ranger, two problems i can think of i ran into was the upper timing pulley needed to be swapped because the belts were not the same. and the second was my 92 mustangs motor didn't have fuel pump hole for the carb. i ran an electric pump, but if yours is fuel injected it wont matter. let me know if you need any help!

X eleventybillion

 

[Butts]

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear! Quick and dirty. Will the head swap change the compression at all? Any changes in cam or ignition timing that should keep an eye out for? I am planning rebuilding the whole motor to my standards (deck, hone, align hone and even deburr oil passages. To be honest I am familiar with chevy motors. Since this truck was given to me I look forward to learning about this motor. This forum and tech section is extremely helpfull! Thanks for the help.

 

[Butts]

Oh yeah, Are the rods in the 91 2.3 'stang reasonably strong. If not what are some descent upgrades.

 

[Butts]

What cam would give better performance? Will the 88 Ranger head support the 'stang cam?
I appologize for all the questions. Maybe I should start another thread.

 

[vince87ranger]

don't know about the actual cam specs, but i used the mustangs roller cam, followers, and the lifters in the ranger head, its a direct swap.

I also don't know if the C.R. changed with the head swap, but both short blocks had flat-top style pistons, and the chambers looked similar in volume. haven't had any problems with detonation so far on 87 gas

As far as the rods, i remember reading somewhere that all 2.0 and 2.3 motors used the same rods date coded from 1974, it might of been the 2.5 as well. think the rod info was in the tech library under 4 cylinders. lots of good info and performance parts shops

 

[Mark_88]

The 2.3 Lima mustang and Ranger engine blocks are virtually identical...as long as they're not Turbo or otherwise modified...getting around the fuel pump issue is as Vince said...use electric...if it's carbed make sure you get the low pressure pump (4-7 PSI) or you'll blow out something...

 

[Butts]

Thanks for the info guys. I pick up the stang tomorrow and I'm getting right into pulling both motors. Found a good local engine machinist with descent prices on services and parts. Getting the block prepped and the valve job done by him. I'm building the rest.

Let you know how it goes.

 

[Butts]

I have just recently pulled both motors and found that the accessory backet holes in the block are different. Vince87, I'm wondering if you an into this problem? It looks like a couple of the holes will line up. Need to know so I'm not wasting my time and money with the mustang block.

Thanks