Quick Question about the 2.3l engine

[Evil_Twin]

First, I'm sorry if this is a repost. Being an administrator on another forum site (a sport bike forum), I know how aggravating it gets with n00bs asking questions that have been asked time and time again. I'm running short on time and figured if I just toss this out there I can get an answer before tomorrow when I buy a replacement engine.

I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XLT with about 260K miles on the clock.. Nothing fancy, its my retired work truck from way back when I installed DirecTV for a living.

Anyways, to get to the point: I have absolutely zero compression in cylinder #4, both plugs were blown apart too. I have found a guy locally selling a complete unmolested 2.3 FI engine that came out of an 1991 Mustang. Is this the same engine? Ford service is no help what so ever. I've asked some basic questions over the phone to the guy like how many plugs per hole, FI, etc.. and it all seems the same as what I have. Any and all answers before 0900 11/20/08 is greatly appreciated!

 

[scotts90ranger]

there are some differences in the engines in sensors and such, I think the cam sensor is different, and I know the timing belt pullies are different (square tooth vs round tooth), yours is EDIS while the '91 is DIS, which are apparently different...

you could make it work, but I would probably look further into it myself. my parts truck had a dead cylinder, after like a minute of cranking it would build up about 60psi, a few weeks ago I pulled the cam to put in my turbo engine, I found two dead lash adjusters, at least one was on that cylinder, and that engine only had around 175K on it.

having just swapped the lash adjusters on my engine last week, it's not a horrible job, once you get the valve cover off, all you need is a pry bar to compress the valves enough to get the rockers out one at a time, the lash adjusters are about $8 each, might as well do all 8. if that doesn't fix the problem, find another engine and just put them in that engine if it's used, they're all the same...

now would be the opportune time to swap to a 2.5L long block, they can be found in '98 to early '01 rangers, that will be a direct swap, should work on your existing computer and wiring

 

[ejholmgren]

When you cross the line between '94/'95 you're effectively moving between OBDI and OBDII territorah. The latter motor has a crankshaft position sensor as well as a camshaft position sensor (smog nazi's). I'm not familiar with how the camshaft positioning sensor mounts around the auxiliary pulley, but scott is right ... square tooth on the belt/pulleys until '93, and then round tooth from there on.

 

[TireIron]

you don't even want to attempt to use a pre 94 engine in your truck. You will want to find a 95-00 2.3L or 2.5L for your truck and the block and head will bolt right in using your sensors and electronics.