Project: Sams Truck

[Bill H]

Like I said a close friend of mine has a 1985 Ford Ranger. According to her the engine is blown and needs to be replaced. I dont know much about the situation. Supposedly its not fixable, or would cost more than a new engine to fix.
The Truck: 1985 Ford Ranger. Automatic.
Questions
1) Any idea what engine would be in this? I was told by a ranger owning friend that it should be a 2.3L 4cyl. After some reading I came up thinking it is carburated, is this true?
2) How difficult is an engine swap in one of these. I guess im looking for people who have done it who can give me a few pointers.
3) What kind of price am i looking at for a long block for one of these? Would I be better of buying a complete engine over a long block? What typically breaks on these?
4) How robust is the little auto in this guy, should I consider pricing out a new trans/manual swap?

Thanks for all the info guys!

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

If it the v6 it will be the 2.8l and yes that is carbed.
also the auto is pretty weak, depending on where you live and how automotively inclined you are it would probably be cheapest to get a omplete engine from a junk yard. (here thats about $150) the trans swap to standard isnt that hard and would probably lst longer than the auto. (here $80 from junk yard.)
not sure what the 4cyl is in those. i think its the 2.3 and i belive it would be carbed.

 

[lil red]

it could be a 2.0, a 2.3, a 2.5, or a 2.8 v6
all carbed
all the autos are crappy if you drive hard, if its a 2.3 you can get a longblock from racerwalch for reallt cheap, but id just do a junkyard motor, you dont need a new block unless your gonna turbo it, which i doubt you are
there decent trucks
and a manual swap isnt hard to do on these trucks, itl take mabe a couple days at the most at a good pace
i know people who can do it in 6 hours including a lunch break,
and whats the truck?
long bed or short
and is it 4x4 or 2wd

 

[danger88ranger]

it could be a 2.0, a 2.3, a 2.5, or a 2.8 v6
all carbed
all the autos are crappy if you drive hard, if its a 2.3 you can get a longblock from racerwalch for reallt cheap, but id just do a junkyard motor, you dont need a new block unless your gonna turbo it, which i doubt you are
there decent trucks
and a manual swap isnt hard to do on these trucks, itl take mabe a couple days at the most at a good pace
i know people who can do it in 6 hours including a lunch break,
and whats the truck?
long bed or short
and is it 4x4 or 2wd

They didn't make 2.5's until 98 i believe, but your right on the other motors.

 

[Bill H]

it could be a 2.0, a 2.3, a 2.5, or a 2.8 v6
all carbed
all the autos are crappy if you drive hard, if its a 2.3 you can get a longblock from racerwalch for reallt cheap, but id just do a junkyard motor, you dont need a new block unless your gonna turbo it, which i doubt you are
there decent trucks
and a manual swap isnt hard to do on these trucks, itl take mabe a couple days at the most at a good pace
i know people who can do it in 6 hours including a lunch break,
and whats the truck?
long bed or short
and is it 4x4 or 2wd

Thats what im looking for!

I wont be driving it, she will. so no (want that smile on my regular forum) She doesnt know how to drive a stick yet but i can teach her.
I dont know if its long or short bed but my suspect is a 2wd.
If i were to turbo it would be a stupid small thing, limited to probably 5psi. But doubtful (cant say i havent thought about it though)
For a manual swap what would be needed?
Obvously Trans, peddle set, clutch cable, shifter/box, clutch lines. Im relatively new to american cars other than engines, ive never done much on the cars.