The easiest engine swap

[Xandor]

I have a 88 BII 4x4. The body is perfect and it has a running 2.9 in it but at some point I'd like to put something other than the 2.9 in there. Just seem to be a crapy engine.

I'm looking for whatever is the easiest because I'm not the best at this kinda stuff. 2.3 turbo? I can get a 289 block for free, my dad has a built chevy 350 just sitting. I don't care a whole lot about cost, long as were not talking more than $1000 difference. I don't care much about power because its really a daily. More MPG's the better.

I'm probly wrong but doesnt the 2.3 turbo bolt right up the the tranny I already have in my BII? It was rebuilt less than 15000mi ago so if I could keep it I'd like to.

 

[Explosive]

A lot of guys do the 4.0L I'm stuck between the 4.0 and the 5.0 I think for now I'll go with the 4.0L, mess around with it, then order my lift in the winter, wheel it. And if I really get into it go with the V8.

 

[88_Eddie]

get a CJ for the 350....i think it's stupid to put chevy engines in fords and ford engines in chevys. i believe you are right about the 2.3l bolting in. as far as i am concerned, i think a 4.0L can be built for more than enough power for a BII, especially if you have a chop top. a v8 would be even more of course, but then you need to look into changing axles as well, if you're gonna hard core wheel. the 7.5 and D28 would snap like twigs.

i'm gonna put the 4.0l from my exploder as well as the 8.8 in my BII as soon as i get a new DD, but that'll be a few years down the road.

 

[heptofite]

unless your transmission has a removable bellhousing, you can't bolt a 2.3t to it

 

[Clem]

The bell-housing bolt patterns are different between the 2.9 and 2.3. Pick up a good running X with a bad transmission and swap whatever you want, if you install a 4.0 you will need the wiring harness for the engine anyway. An automatic ECM does not work well with a standard transmission, so you will need to find one of those.
There are many articles online about changing most everything from an X to a B@/Ranger of the 80's era.

Ray

 

[country0001]

I'm doing the 4.0 swap eventually. When my 2.9 gives out. Right now it still pretty spunky. Except for that danged ol lifter rattle.