The Black Sheep of the family

[itlives]

Hello, my name is Mike. I'm in Louisiana. I have 1985 2.3 engine. Yup, just an engine (well, the transmission came with it, too, but I'm not usin it).

My project is putting it in a 1971 VW truck. I have all the conversion pieces I need. I am starting to look at the poor, pitiful engine that needs some amino acids and protien.

I see after market intakes for the Mustang head with the "D" ports. Does anyone make an intake for the round port head of the Ranger? I have a dual throat 40 Weber that I would like to use. I also have a Holley 5200 (I think that's the number) That would be better on gas but not so much power.

I'm building this to pull a 13' Fiberglass camper. I can pull it right now with the VW engine and the truck tranny. The VW truck trans is geared too low to take a long trip with -which is what I have planned.

I have a later model bus trans to mate up too the 2.3L. I also have headers.

So, long story short, I need some ideas on a betterer than stock intake and carb. Is there such an animal?

Here's my set-up.

 

[Ak907Girl]

That's the coolest VW truck EVER!!! haha I want one.

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome Mike...that is a cool VW...

There are a number of options for the 2.3 intake and carb...depends on what you can spend on it..

I have a 2.3 with an intake from a 78 Mustang II and a Motorcraft 5200 carb...but there are other options...slip into the 2.3 forum and have a look around...my 2.3 came from an 87 Ranger...the head (4 plug) came from a 91 Mustang...the wiring is from an 88 2.0 that originally was carbed with the Asian (POS) carb but I swapped that out...so the distributor and wiring is original on my truck...sort of...

If you can find an adapter for the carb and get an intake from an 86 fuel injected 2.3 you'd be good to go...but I'm curious about the transmission...an M5OD transmission from a 2.3 would work...or the R1 M5OD (later revised model) would be best...but if you have a limitation on the transmission then a proper bell housing to mate it up with you could put what you want...

I'm not good with trannys but I know what I want to do with mine...take a look at some of the threads in the 2.3 2000 or older and you might find some ideas on what will work for you...

Good Luck on this one...and keep us posted...

 

[itlives]

Thanks Mark for the info.I have to find that forum From what I've learned, you have a D port head -correct?
My transmission is still VW. I have an Esslinger adapter. Here's two pics -everything is dirty
-

 

[Earl43P]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121651

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/member.php?u=60253

He might have some insight.

 

[itlives]

Thanks Earl, chazz is on the site that I have my build thread on. I know I've looked at his info over there. I'll PM him from the site. Here it is-
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=138764