2.3L ('83-'97) Question about alternator and misc hardware

[JoshT]

As you may have heard my 85 Ranger 2.3L came missing a few parts. Among those would be Alternator, Power Steering pump, and associated brackets and hardware. I have the assorted brackets on the way. I'll rob the power steering pump from the wrecked 84 Ranger 2.8, it uses the same pump mounted different according to RockAuto. I'll buy a new alternator if I can't figure out where I stashed the one from the 2.8 a few years ago. Might not bother looking, even if I can find it I'll need a pulley and it's probably no good anymore.

1) RockAuto lists alternators with internal or external for my truck. Since I don't have the original there to compare, how do I know which style I need?

I also still need to acquire hardware to mount all of this.

2) Alternator pivot bolt is missing, what size and length is it? Is this bolt common to other Ford engines? Does it have a split spacer like the other Fords with this style alternator mounting?

3) Power steering pump and mounting bracket hardware is also missing. Looks like it is missing three bolts that hold the bracket to the block, and two that attach the bracket to another support arm. Once again can you tell me what size and length hardware goes in these locations?
How about the bolts that mount the pump to the bracket?

4) Finally, for now, I'm going to need to get bolts to attach the outer timing cover. This piece would be fairly easy to carry in, but any chance one of you knows the size off hand?

Sorrf it's not coherent, I should have been asleep three hours ago, and have to wake up for work in about 3 more.

TIA -JoshT

 

[sgtsandman]

Your truck is on the old side and I haven’t had to deal with getting parts on something that old. So, I’m just throwing out a suggestion that might not be helpful.

Have you looked at Ford Parts or Tasca to see if they list anything for your truck?

Is there still a belt diagram on the radiator support or hood? That may help answer some of the configuration questions.

 

[JoshT]

I have not tried looking at a Ford parts site due to the age. May give it a shot, but doubt it will show what I need.

No belt diagram, but it wouldn't help anyway. I know the belt config from looking at photos, and I've got a Haynes manual for the truck. Neither give hardware sizes.

 

[sgtsandman]

If they don’t have anything listed, I don’t know where to recommend sending you. Someone who has restored and older Ranger might be of some help here.

You may have to do some junk yard scrounging. Find the brackets you need and take the hardware as well. if for nothing else, as a reference to get new hardware as far as size, thread pitch, and length.

 

[JoshT]

I wish I had junkyards to scrounge. The local yards don't have anything that age, I've already tried. They have 2.3s, but they are the latrer models, so brackets and mounts had changed by then. Closest P&P yard is 1-2 hours away and accoring to their inventory I'd be wasting my time there as well.

Fortunately I was missing just two brackets, I'm about 95% certain that I've already sourced them off eBay. Part number put them as like 87 or 88 parts, but they physically look the same from the pictures I've seen. I'll know more when they arrive tomorrow. The inner timing cover I found on eBay as well at a price I could stomach, it arrived Monday and looks like a match, don;t need hardware for that since the old one is still mounted.

I found some possible sizes for the alternator bolt and power steering mount bolts. 7/16"-12 (or 14) x 5" for the alternator pivot bolt. Looks like M10-1.5x25mm and M10-1.5x40mm for the power steering mount to block. Don;t think I'm going to need the information afterall though. Looks like I jumped the gun on asking about hardware.

Spent a bit of time digging through the dirt in the bed of the truck when I got home from work today. Literally looks like dirt, mulch, and potting soil. I think I found most of the missing bolts, even some I hadn't considered needing yet. I found enough bolts that I think I found all of that, as well as radiator mount bolts, outer timing cover bolts, possibly the aux shaft sproket bolt I'd replaced altready, throttle cable cover bolts, and water pump/fan mount bolts. Probably got a few extras too. Few tools back there as well. Nothing special, but could probably make a few cent at the pawn shop.

More parts should arrive in the next few days, and hopefully I'll get enough school work done by Friday that I can spend some time wrenching this weekend.