Swapping out a Piston

[88_ranger]

Hello everybody. This is my first post on your website. I have an 88 Ranger with the 2.3 efi motor in it. I recently starting getting a terrible knocking sound internally on the motor. I pulled the head off of it and discovered a chunk missing from #4 piston. I found a person selling an individual piston from a 93 Ranger with the 2.3L in it. Do you think I could use that piston in my 88? Thanks ahead of time for your help everybody!

 

[Shawn_248]

IMO, if you're gona go through all that trouble, you might as well get a rebuild kit and rebuild the whole motor

 

[88_ranger]

rebuild kit

I definitely agree with you, but I'm on a strict budget and if I could get this piston for $30 and a new gasket kit for $40 and have that be enough to get it running again, than I'd rather do that.

 

[Downey]

have you checked the bottom end with the bearing and everything. i thinking your going to find out that you put it all back together and then put a rod though the block then your out even more money. just have it rebuilt while you have it apart or find another motor and swap it in

 

[88_ranger]

rebuild

I haven't pulled the engine out and looked at the bottom end yet. But I didn't even think of that. If I bring it to a shop, what would you say I should expect to pay to have it rebuilt?

 

[dangerranger83]

I haven't pulled the engine out and looked at the bottom end yet. But I didn't even think of that. If I bring it to a shop, what would you say I should expect to pay to have it rebuilt?

By a shop......I would hold your jaw up from falling to the floor if you really want to know the cost. Problably cheaper to get a junk yard one. If the piston was broke how much damage did it do to the cylinder wall and head?

 

[Downey]

^^^ agree but a shop will probably charge you around 100-150 to just check everything out. then parts and labor on top of that probably around 1k if not more. you could do it by your self for much less

 

[88_ranger]

piston

Thy cylinder head actually looks really good. Not a scratch on it. I haven't checked the cylinder wall yet. I'm going to try rotating the crank when I get home tonight to see if there is any damage to the cylinder wall. If it looks good I'd like to try putting that piston in that I found. Like I said I don't have much money and I'd like to get it running again. I just don't know if that piston and connecting rod the guy has will be the right length.

 

[88_ranger]

Engine already bored .060 over

I went home last night and took a closer look and completely overlooked the fact that the pistons were stamped 060 which means somebodies already been in the engine and I will not be able to use that piston I was talking about.
You know what I'd really like to do is just scrap the 4 cylinder and drop a 302 in it but I don't know how plausible a job like that is for a backyard wrench turner like myself. I mean I know enough to fix small stuff but a complete drive train swap sounds a bit overwhelming! Is there some literature out there that might guide me through a swap like that?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

go to the v8 conversion thread 2 down from this and search and read.

 

[88_ranger]

piston

I'll do that...thanks for the help everybody!

 

[dangerranger83]

I have a 87 2.3 liter engine for sale but its pick-up only.

 

[88_ranger]

2.3 for sale

I'd be interested but that's one hell of a drive from North Carolina! Thank you for the idea though!

 

[RangerFabWorks]

where in north carolina are ya??

 

[88_ranger]

North Carolina

I live in Hillsborough, NC. Do you live in North Carolina?