2.3L ('83-'97) Thinking about an engine swap or rebuild

[GalaticFartic1159]

In the future I wanted to either swap the 2.3 from my ranger or rebuild it, maybe get it machined for some oversized pistons. I know at least at one point in time swapping the 2.3T from a thunderbird or SVO mustang was popular, but where I live it seems to be pretty dang hard to find one of those motors. I also was considering *maybe* swapping a later Duratec 2.3 from the 3rd gen, but I would have NO idea what that entails, let alone if anybody else has even attempted to swap that motor into an older ranger. I can only imagine the nightmare of rewiring that would need.

I'd love to hear some thoughts and suggestions, Since I've never swapped a motor before. This would be a project for much, much farther into the future, currently in the process of tearing apart steering and have an axle swap in progress.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome to TRS.

I like the 2.3, and the '93-94 trucks had, in my opinion, had about the nicest 2.3s.

If I was in that situation, I'd put a nice rebuild on the original four banger.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Welcome to TheRangerStation family.

I'm truly up in the air on your question.
I personally ain't real big on rebuilding motors.
My feeling are unless the motor has just outlived its lifespan and is woren out, if it failed it failed for a reason. So I'm not big on rebuilding them.

I personally look for wrecked vehicles that are pretty much totaled. But yet drivable so I can test drive it or at the least start the motor.
I feel that way the motors has proven themselve already and there's no breaking in period or anything like that.

This is just my personal opinion I'm not a licensed mechanic or anything like that.

Now I know for most people money is a big factor in everything in life.
However if I was to have the money to do what I want I'd put a different rear end in my truck and a V8 underneath the hood.
But also change the front end a good bit as well.
With that said I'd try my best to make that V8 as quiet as I could too. I never was one big on loud vehicles.

That's my two cents.
I wish you luck and much fun with your truck.