motor help PLEASE

[86MUDRCJ]

Okay guys i have a 86 ranger and as far as the motor goes...Let's just say it is on it's way out.I wanted to put a motor in it that has alittle more git up n go than the very tired 2.9. I was thinkin maybe a 4.0?still a v6 but more power right?Or possibly a 289 a smaller v8 but what be better? Now here is the kicker....I live in the great (not) state of california. Any suggestions are greatly appreiciated. So let's here em.

 

[nitrofan1]

Cali huh? Nice. Well thanks to (not you) your nice state reps and their emission regs you are probably be best off with a 5.0 (I'm old school I still say 302) that's fuel injected. Find a unit that may still have a complete harness and get an adapter kit. There are lots of companies that offer changeover kits. Another thing to think about is how much gas costs there. A 4.0 would be better on MPG's and would slide in good. Don't forget all the smog goodies too.

If you do want to go old school and a 289 check some of the custom shops there and see how they get theirs to pass inspection.

 

[De Ranger]

At least in California we don't get the fender rust cancer.

Whatever engine you get make sure it's a newer engine than you had in there before. I have some personal experience with that rule.

If you put an older engine in there the Claifornia smog fairy will come by when you're asleep and punch you in the throat. That and you can't get it tagged.

 

[nitrofan1]

At least in California we don't get the fender rust cancer.

Nada in Tennessee either. LOL

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Thanks for the input guys I do want to go ''old school'' b/c my truck is. but....I want it to be legal.And as far as hp goes WITH all the bs smog 5.0 is way better.I'm guessin anyways. Gas where i live is around 3 bucks a gallon so not cheap but i have seen worse.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

At least in California we don't get the fender rust cancer.

Whatever engine you get make sure it's a newer engine than you had in there before. I have some personal experience with that rule.

If you put an older engine in there the Claifornia smog fairy will come by when you're asleep and punch you in the throat. That and you can't get it tagged.

What if you get refereed or whatever it's called than is it still not going to be legal?

 

[nitrofan1]

Now I don't know what the emission limits are in Cali but if you take a 289, drop F I on it, add cats, O2's and such I would think you may get close. The advantage on later model V8"s is they are put together better. Tolerances are closer, parts are better made. When the 289 came out it wasn't unheard of to need a rebuild around 75-100,000 miles. Our 4.0's go well over 200,000 miles if taken care of (mine has 200,280 right now).

Honestly, keep what you have and save up for a 4.0 with all the emissions. Drop a turbo or supercharger on it. It will be smog legal, more than likely get better MPG's.

I know there's a way to adapt an OBD II system on older cars in fact I think MSD makes one. This way you can monitor and adjust the set up until you are smog ready.

And as stated previously you don't get rust there so I'd say you don't need to be in a hurry. LOL

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Now I don't know what the emission limits are in Cali but if you take a 289, drop F I on it, add cats, O2's and such I would think you may get close. The advantage on later model V8"s is they are put together better. Tolerances are closer, parts are better made. When the 289 came out it wasn't unheard of to need a rebuild around 75-100,000 miles. Our 4.0's go well over 200,000 miles if taken care of (mine has 200,280 right now).

Honestly, keep what you have and save up for a 4.0 with all the emissions. Drop a turbo or supercharger on it. It will be smog legal, more than likely get better MPG's.

I know there's a way to adapt an OBD II system on older cars in fact I think MSD makes one. This way you can monitor and adjust the set up until you are smog ready.

And as stated previously you don't get rust there so I'd say you don't need to be in a hurry. LOL

That's very true not many places you can get rust.lol. But if i go newer then it wouldn't hurt to go with a 5.0 then from a newer mustang...My goal essentailly is power without having to much trouble doing it. Turbos and superchargers aren't cheap either???Just a bigger motor with little odds and ends and not so big of a price tag.Also keeping in mine i would to have a good amout of hp with all the great smog stuff.

 

[86MUDRCJ]

I might need to do the swap sooner than planned. It started burnin oil bad today.didn't even get it down the driveway and it looks like the back of the motor down by the collecter thing on the manifold.i think it could a ring of some kind?