will it work

[khoward]

i have a 83 ranger 4x4 with a 2.3 the head is off a mustang II i have to get a new motor i want to know if the mustang II 2.3 intake will fit a ranger 2.3 head or will it be better to buy the 2.3 mustang II motor need help asap

 

[creepinjeepster]

Not for sure, but I would believe that if the stang head is bolted up to your ranger intake now, then the stang intake should bolt to the ranger head as well.

 

[Mark_88]

Easy way to check...just hold the intake gasket up to the mustang head...it's like a template...works for me...

 

[khoward]

Not for sure, but I would believe that if the stang head is bolted up to your ranger intake now, then the stang intake should bolt to the ranger head as well.

no i have a 83 ranger block with 78 stang II head and intake

 

[khoward]

i have found out that it will not work the best thing to do is to buy a 78 stang motor that way every thing bolts up and i can avoid buying a new intake and carb plus i still get to use my holley 5200 2bbl carb and the old duraspark ignition will still work witch is good seeing how it is all new also

 

[Mark_88]

I used an intake and carb from a 78 mustang...and the head on mine is from a 89 stang...and the block was a 87 Ranger FI with no fuel pump slot...the 2.3 from a 78 would probably have to be rebuilt...unless it is low mileage, and even then you may be looking at worn seals and other parts that are likely to fail...

But if you can find an intake from that model year, then you're probably looking at an Offy type that are very good...the FI intakes from some years will also work with a carb adaptor...there are several threads on that in this forum...although they haven't surfaced for a few months...look under Kenny S posts and check out his setup...

 

[khoward]

I used an intake and carb from a 78 mustang...and the head on mine is from a 89 stang...and the block was a 87 Ranger FI with no fuel pump slot...the 2.3 from a 78 would probably have to be rebuilt...unless it is low mileage, and even then you may be looking at worn seals and other parts that are likely to fail...

But if you can find an intake from that model year, then you're probably looking at an Offy type that are very good...the FI intakes from some years will also work with a carb adaptor...there are several threads on that in this forum...although they haven't surfaced for a few months...look under Kenny S posts and check out his setup...

The 89 stang head does it have 4 evenly spaced round ports on the intake side

 

[Mark_88]

The 89 stang head does it have 4 evenly spaced round ports on the intake side

No...the round port intakes are from a 2.0 litre and maybe some of the older 2.3s...most of the later 2.3 intakes were D port heads...shaped like a letter D on it's side...

 

[khoward]

thats what is on there is The D shaped ports that are laying down on there flat side what year did they start doing that and can a find a ranger 2.3 with that head stock

 

[Mark_88]

The 78 mustang had d port heads...so the 78 mustang intake worked on my newer 89 mustang head...but the 89 had a roller cam, which is a better cam setup...

not sure about the 2.5 heads at all...never even seen one in the metal...

 

[khoward]

my 78 stang intake has ovel ports and was bolted to D ports if it worked on the D ports why wouldnt it work on the o ports

 

[Mark_88]

They will work...but there is a higher risk of fuel pooling...where it collects in the intake instead of being drawn into the combustion chamber...shaving the ports to match them may be possible, but I'd have to see the gasket sitting on the head to know if I'd even try that approach...

With a carb setup it is best to get the closest possible match for the ports...they are already under powered and compounding their performance is just more frustrating...

 

[khoward]

yea i have decided to go with the whole 78 mustang motor and its easier to find performance parts so i can come up off the stock 88 HP