Should I sell 1983 ranger?

[Mhoxie0]

Due to my inability to think things through I bought a 1983 with a bad motor I haven't been able to pull it as I don't have to tools and I was wondering if it would be easier to replace the engine or part it out as my current car that I need to replace is a death trap and I can't afford do do a large swap project on it, it has a 4speed manual 4x4

 

[Uncle Gump]

Other then the engine... what shape is the truck in?

 

[Uncle Gump]

And where in Illinois?

 

[superj]

i agree. if the truck is in better shape then the car, just put a motor in the ranger. same motor it has is the easiest swap

 

[Mhoxie0]

And where in Illinois?

It was bought from down south so the frame is decent it only has surface rust.
I am having a hard time finding any 2.3l lima engines that aren't race engines.
And its in the Lasalle area now

 

[dvdswan]

I'll take it of your hands. No charge.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You're just down the road from me.

Well they made about a bazillion 2.3L Limas... one should turn up if ya look hard enough.

It was bought from down south so the frame is decent it only has surface rust.
I am having a hard time finding any 2.3l lima engines that aren't race engines.
And its in the Lasalle area now

 

[Blmpkn]

2.3 4x4 trucks are pretty rare..

2.3 motors couldn't even begin to spell rare.

That truck is old enough to make a motor swap relatively easy.. at least compared to a vehicle from the last 20-25 years.

Spend a couple hundred bucks on tools from harbor freight and swap that motor. Like uncle Gump said.. there are tons of those motors out there. Check ebay.

 

[4x4prepper]

Assuming you live in a single family dwelling with maybe a garage, you can rent an engine hoist, though you can usually find a good used one on CL. I think I bought my 2 ton engine hoist for under $100 off CL.I am upgrading it to dual 8" poly casters on each corner so it will be much easier to use off pavement on grass and such. Plus, rolling a 1,000# engine even on asphalt with the 3" metal wheels has been challenging.

I agree that the (8 spark plug) 2.3L engines are hardly rare and readily available rebuilt and used. Rangers and B2s are going up in price with the current $5 a gallon gas, so, investing in the 1983 truck is worth it.

I would pull everything and change all the fluids and at least change the clutch disc and slave cyl. while everything is out. This engine job will benefit from having at least a 2" body lift.

 

[Shran]

'83 carbureted four plug 2.3 engines are going to be very hard to find. I needed a fuel injected 4 plug engine about 8 years ago and it was damn near impossible... there are just not many of them left anywhere. The tiny Ranger community, Pinto guys, some industrial engines and race guys are the only places where they are still in use. If your budget allows, it's almost better to rebuild what you have rather than gambling on unobtainium junkyard parts and will be cheaper than Esslinger race stuff!

 

[Ramcharger90]

Just get it rebuilt. Honestly.... unless there is a hole in the block it's not that bad really...

 

[Bronco ii Man]

2.3 is a fair easy rebuild

 

[Ranger850]

Get one of those "racing" engines.

 

[Bronco ii Man]

Would be a mean little toy!! Lol Especially being a 4x4 pickup! Dude builds race engine’s near me has an old school 2.3 putting out an easy 225+! Took some work and playing with it! Funny to see peoples faces win you rip their lips off with a 4 banger!
Another dude has a Mazda speed 3 with a ford 2.3 engine and 6 spd putting out over 700 hp but the only thing stock is the block itself! So really the possibilities are endless for a 2.3 ford! Really think about it the 2.3 wasn’t around all these years because it was junk!!!

.02 $ 4 what it’s worth!!!

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Another dude has a Mazda speed 3 with a ford 2.3 engine and 6 spd putting out over 700 hp but the only thing stock is the block itself! So really the possibilities are endless for a 2.3 ford! Really think about it the 2.3 wasn’t around all these years because it was junk!!!

Isn't that Ford's Duratec 2.3, which is actually a Mazda engine? It's the same 2.3 as is used in late Rangers, right? And also an optional engine in the Focus from 2000 to about 2007? Somewhere on hear somebody said that it's actually a Mazda built engine.