Oil Pan question 2.3

[bmax77]

I have an 88 ranger with 2.3 engine in it. The engine is blown and I have found an 83 2.3 engine I am replacing it with. The question is. I know the blocks will work and if I keep the head from the 88 fuel Injection will work. However the 83 has a different oil pump and a stamped steel oil pan. The 88 had an aluminum cast pan. The 88 pan was busted when it threw the rod. Should I find another 88 alum. Pan or just use the stamped steel one. The alum. Pan had a sensor screwed into the side that the steel pan does not have. So how would I by pass this sensor if I use the steel pan. Another thing is the different oil pumps the alum. Pan seems to use a special oil pump and pick up tube. Any help would be great. I am at the point of putting it all back together and just want to do it right the first time. Please Help if you can. Thanks in advance

 

[red85]

Pans are cheap. For the sake of not having to mess around bypassing sensors (even though it's a non essential one) just hit your local wrecker and pick one up. You can use the pan from the older engine, but the cast pan is a better option (they don't rot out like the stamped ones do). Just transfer the pick up tube from your blown engine to the transplant engine and get another pan and you will be fine.

 

[bmax77]

Thanks for they reply, I will see if I can find one at the junk yard. I was wanting to do that but they are pretty hard to find for some reason. I just wants sure they would fit the 88. Will I need to change the oil pump to the one like the 88 has. I guess I will It looks like it will bolt on and since I am using the distributor from the 88 as well.

 

[scotts90ranger]

there's a problem with that plan, the older engines (mid '86 and older I believe) have a "trough" in the rear main cap for the old style oil pan gasket, if you flip the engine on an engine stand and fill the trough with JB weld or something (that's what I did) that will let you use the new style pan, you will also need the front seal housing from the new style pan engine. You will also need to drill the two outer rear most mounting holes in the oil pan to 5/16" and get some longer bolts (they are 8mm, don't remember what length I used, take the stock 6mm bolts as examples).

doable, but takes a little effort. If you decide to stick with the steel pan, ignore the wire that goes to the pan, if the low oil light stays on, ground the wire...

 

[bmax77]

I will probably stick with the steel pan and ground the wire. You are talking about grounding the sensor wire right? If all else fails I'll just put some black tape over the oil light. Its just a daily driver.

 

[scotts90ranger]

the switch is either normally open or normally closed, one will turn the light off... I just don't know which