2.3L ('83-'97) Oil Filter Adapter for 1997 2.3 Ranger

[davey]

Hello folks,

I wanted to ask if anyone might be knowledgeable about any potential oil filter adapters that are 90 degrees that may fit the 2.3 1997 model of rangers. I own a '97 2.3L, and the oil filters are positioned horizontally. If possible, I would like to be able to replace the oil filters for my truck vertically. My research has indicated that according to the 1997 edition Ford factory service manual I own that the 4.0L ranger of same year has one such 90 degree oil filter adapter with the part number being 6881, but does not state if they are compatible.

Does anyone possibly know if such an oil filter adapter exists that fits the 2.3L engine? I did my best to check the forums if anyone previously asked this question before posting, but I could not find any discussion for it so I decided to ask. I apologize if the subject has been covered already and I missed it.

Thank you for checking out my post. I am new to the site and looking to participating with everyone on here.

Davey

 

[MT_PLS]

4-Cylinder Oil Filter Upgrade - The Ranger Station

By Frank T. Austin If your like me and do much of your own maintenance or would like to start. Changing the oil on your 4 banger can be a pain in the butt because the filter is horizontally mounted … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

I actually have a 90° adaptor available, if you're interested. Send me a PM for details.

 

[JohnPsz]

On our 97 ranger 2.3 we tried a standard flat faced 90* adapter (blue one in the images), and it didn't fit because of the lip on the block just below the where the filter mounts was pushing it out a bit at the bottom, and not sealing. We are planning on cutting a groove in the adapter to allow it to sit flush with mating surface on the block. You can use the other Ford 90* adapter (the grey one in the images) and it works on the 97 2.3, but we are just going to mill the surface at the sharp 90* of our blue one to allow it to fit without leaking.

 

[SenorNoob]

IDK that it is, but 90* on the right looks awfully similar to the one on my 4.0. It came from a 94 Ranger.

 

[Brain75]

there are also folks who say that you can machine a groove in the excess material of the blue one to get it to work without interference.

 

[davey]

Hello, folks. I apologize sincerely for not getting back to all of your replies sooner. I was laid off before Christmas and it has been a struggle with quite a few things and the project had to wait for a while. But I really appreciate everyone's replies to my thread.

I ended up managing to put an oil filter adapter from a 4.0L 97 Ranger and I managed to get it to fit using the banjo-bolt that came with it, along with a spacer and an extension bolt that I shortened from Improved Racing to allow the banjo bolt to reach the engine block and keep it in place. Enclosed are a few photos of my project. I searched and searched for one of the aftermarket adapters that was made to fit, but I could not for the life of me find one to buy, so this project at least lets me now put my oil filters on vertically successfully now.

I drove it from Tucson to Phoenix a few times and quite a bit around town and it is working without complications. If anyone thinks it is a good idea to make a post of how to create it for others using a 2.3L engine, I will make a full article so others can make it, but I was able to get it work with one of the factory adapters.

Hope everyone is having a great year.

 

[SenorNoob]

Since you needed the spacer, I wonder if the one I had from the Aerostar would've worked? I stuck out a couple inches farther from the block. I like what you did though. Should make servicing easier.

 

[MT_PLS]

Hello, folks. I apologize sincerely for not getting back to all of your replies sooner. I was laid off before Christmas and it has been a struggle with quite a few things and the project had to wait for a while. But I really appreciate everyone's replies to my thread.

I ended up managing to put an oil filter adapter from a 4.0L 97 Ranger and I managed to get it to fit using the banjo-bolt that came with it, along with a spacer and an extension bolt that I shortened from Improved Racing to allow the banjo bolt to reach the engine block and keep it in place. Enclosed are a few photos of my project. I searched and searched for one of the aftermarket adapters that was made to fit, but I could not for the life of me find one to buy, so this project at least lets me now put my oil filters on vertically successfully now.

I drove it from Tucson to Phoenix a few times and quite a bit around town and it is working without complications. If anyone thinks it is a good idea to make a post of how to create it for others using a 2.3L engine, I will make a full article so others can make it, but I was able to get it work with one of the factory adapters.

Hope everyone is having a great year.

Can you add the part numbers from Improved Racing that you used?

 

[davey]

Can you add the part numbers from Improved Racing that you used?

Certainly, the product numbers are ENV-117 and HSC-5200-1.

I got a spacer that was blemished and discounted there, but I believe any kind of spacer would technically work. I choose one from Improved Racing because of the quality of their parts and importance to prevent failure with oil flow.

The extension bolt was cut and shortened for fitment so the banjo bolt could reach it while still being able to torque

 

[davey]

Since you needed the spacer, I wonder if the one I had from the Aerostar would've worked? I stuck out a couple inches farther from the block. I like what you did though. Should make servicing easier.

Would you be able to share a photo of what the adapter looks like? I would be intrigued to see what they look like. I had to use the spacer because I had trouble finding an extension bolt that would reach the banjo bolt and still torque down enough or wasn't too long and wouldn't fit at all. Depending on how the Aerostar adapter was made, an extension bolt/screw like the one I used might allow it to fit to yours with some fitment.

Have others successfully gotten their 2.3 to have an adapter fit do you know?

 

[SenorNoob]

This is a 4.0 with the Aerostar adapter:

This is the a 4.0 with the Ranger adapter:

The Aerostar part curves away from the block rather than being the right angle that the Ranger is. It ends up putting the filter farther away from the block.

 

[davey]

This is a 4.0 with the Aerostar adapter:

This is the a 4.0 with the Ranger adapter:

The Aerostar part curves away from the block rather than being the right angle that the Ranger is. It ends up putting the filter farther away from the block.

Thank you for sharing that! I think it could technically fit, but because it is at an angle instead of straight down could result in conflicting with the metal break lines that are situated to the side of the engine block. I discovered that when experimenting with the other oil filter adapter I found that is angled a few degrees outwards. I don't think it would be a significant issue, but unless you would move the break lines a little further away I think it would be better not to use it for peace of mind.

Because of how long it is though, it may curve down enough to where they are not close and this would not be an issue. I would have to test it first for fitment before I could say definitely though, but I think it could work.

I am actually intrigued by the adapter on the aerostar and I am going to keep my eyes open for one when I go to a pull apart again. Unfortunately, I am not seeing any pictures online when I search for it.

 

[SenorNoob]

It's not obvious in the picture, but it seemed to point straight down. Just farther away.

 

[davey]

My apologies, from the angle it did indeed look like it leans a few degrees away but that is likely because of the photo like you said. In that case, I would say as long as the ghost bolt / banjo bolt is 3/4 thread and matches the diameter of the spacer / engine block then I think you could make it work well. And as I said before, I actually really like the look of that aerostar adapter and I'll be keeping my eyes open for one for future adapter projects.