Swapping '84 Carb. 2.3 into '86 EFI 2.3 truck? 5 spd. into 4 spd.?

[Woodtroll]

All right, folks,

I haven't had any luck with diagnosing my truck, which continues to give me intermittent, seemingly undiagnosable problems. I have my eye on an '84 carbureted 2.3 Ranger, but it has a 4-speed manual transmission; my '86 has a 5-speed manual. My '86 is beginning to have a LOT of rust in the body, but it is an extended cab, which I really like. I am trying to decide whether to give up the Supercab, and possibly put the 5-speed in the carbureted '84 (thereby eliminating a LOT of electronic crap), or swap the carbureted engine into the '86. I'm afraid I will run into lots of wiring harness issues with an engine swap.

Do any of you foresee any issues with either of these swaps?

Where is the engine control computer on the '86, by the way? There are lots of solenoids, vacuum lines, etc. under the cover on the passenger fender, but nothing that looks like a true engine control module (this one has the TFI ignition).

Thanks!
Regan

 

[Robert_1967]

The computer is behind the passenger kick panel in the cab

as far as changing the engine from a efi to a carb, I have no idea how to and make it work right.


Robert

 

[John Smith]

the carbed motor will fit fine...

actually a 2.0 carbed non tfi motor came as an option in an 88 ranger.

I have the 88 factory ford service manual 4 it....

when u get he donor carbed motor.. make sure you get the engine harness along with the "duraspark" module on the inner fender....basicaly the carbed 4 cyl's i have seen were still durasparked...this may affect your smog passing issues in your state...make sure you do some checking 2 b sure...

your trans should be usable as well..make sure u have the correct slave /master arrangement...of the two to choose from...

the last 88 2.0 i saw had NO computer....but had another box on passenger inner fender that may have assisted in smog issues....depending on egr/air etc....the neat thing about a carbed 4 cyl...they CAN run well w/o a puter and get 30mpg while doing it..

 

[Woodtroll]

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the help. Any more specific information would be most welcome, as well!

Y'all take care,
Regan