2.3L ('83-'97) I seek 2.3L Understanding

[Bosketti]

I have a '97 Ranger 2.3L manual I have owned since new. At 205k I finally decided to rebuild the engine. It has now been pulled for the third time as we keep losing compression on the rebuild. We haven't figured out why I keep losing rings but I decided to explore the possibility of a remanufactured engine. This brings me to the conundrum. I see engines for '91-'96 and engines for '99-'07. There is a 2 year gap that doesn't seem to have engines available and my truck falls into that window. What are the differences in the two era engines? What is the difference with the '97-'98 engines? What engine would I be better off going with if those are my only 2 options?

 

[scotts90ranger]

It sounds like you are finding some odd information... There's several versions of the Lima 2.3L over the years. For your Ranger you need to stick with the '96-97 year range for a 2.3L as that has the new style crank sensor and a cam sensor on the auxiliary shaft that drives the oil pump. You can also install a 2.5L engine from a '98 to early '01 Ranger as it is identical to a '96-7 2.3L mechanically other than a different rotating assembly (pistons, rods and crankshaft) and your computer will run it just fine from what I hear. You can completely ignore and not look at any 2.3L from 2001 or newer as that is a completely different engine.

 

[Dirtman]

Im not sure what you're looking at but the 2.3 lima only existed until 1997...

 

[Bosketti]

I freely admit to not knowing the pedigree of the engine. My confusion is that I'm not finding rebuilt engines for the '97 model year. is the '96 a suitable replacement or is there a difference I need to adapt to?

 

[Dirtman]

There is no difference from 1995-1997 that I am aware of. 1998 is a different engine, and 1994 used a different computer. I'd double check the build date however to be certain its not a 1998 engine.

 

[Fredness]

Ditto, `98-`01 is a 2.5L, but the same Lima basics.
That '99-'07 is an improperly attributed Duratec Engine, not compatible.
I'd look for a company that can figure that out...