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Truck question, swapping engines...

P

Paulson

Elite Member
I've got a 90 ford ranger (4 cylinder) that had the camshaft go out on it (so plesant when I'm driving down the road)

Anyways, it's a 2.4 (or something like that) 4 cylinder manual...

My uncle's got a 88 ford ranger (6 cylinder) 2.9 manual...

What I'd like to know is if it's possible to swap the engine from the 88 ranger to the 90 ranger...

Reason being is that the 88 ranger's body is falling apart and my 90 ranger is still in good shape body wise...

Thanks...
 
Yes its possible... in fact it will most likely bolt right up.... the bigger question is do you have the time and facilities to take on a project like that?
 
all I need to know is if it's possible..

My dad will be swapping it... he works at a bus garage and they have stuff to do this so...

thanks...
 
Sure, I'd use the trans also from the 2.9....and the exhaust, wiring, computer, engine mounts, etc. All the holes exist in your truck already, just a matter of swappin' and boltin'.

PS check your emission law about the swap, 'cause you're using an engine older than the truck...may or may not be an issue.

JC
 
I must say that replacing the camshaft and timing belt would be a hell of a lot less trouble than bastardizing your truck.
 
Its possible to swap a 302 out of a mustang into one so yeah you can. The question is it worth going through all this hassle to end up with a 2.9l v6 instead of a 2.3l 4 banger. I don't think so.
 


<< check your emission law about the swap, 'cause you're using an engine older than the truck >>

 
Well, my dad seems intent on switching the parts... since the tranny/clutch are ok in the 90 ranger, and most other stuff is the same, my dad was only planning on swapping out the engine...

As for the camshaft & timing belt, well my dad looked into getting a new camshaft for it and I guess he didn't want to do that, just wanted to swap engines out. As for emissions, here in minnesota I don't think they ever check emmissions anyways so...

The whole idea behind it is to take a working engine, put it in a decent truck, then you're left with a non working engine and crappy truck to send off to the junkyard. That way I guess everyone wins...
 


<< I must say that replacing the camshaft and timing belt would be a hell of a lot less trouble than bastardizing your truck. >>


That may not be the case if the engine has an interference design. In other words, cam goes->valves stop-> pistons keep going... when moving pistons collide with stationary valves, more than just a belt and camshaft need to be replaced.
 
I don't know that much about vehicles, but they're gathering my interest...

My dad said he was gonna swap out the tranny w/the engine... I didn't know that lol...

My dad was gonna also take and look at the pistons to see if there was any damage to them... doesn't really matter but he was curious...

Thanks for the info guys... I appreciate it. (and hope to learn more about engines, because just like computers they seem to interest me.)
 


<< That may not be the case if the engine has an interference design. In other words, cam goes->valves stop-> pistons keep going... when moving pistons collide with stationary valves, more than just a belt and camshaft need to be replaced. >>



Not in this case. The 2.3L is a 'free-running' engine...that is, valves won't contact pistons if the belt breaks. 😉

JC
 


<<

<< I must say that replacing the camshaft and timing belt would be a hell of a lot less trouble than bastardizing your truck. >>


That may not be the case if the engine has an interference design. In other words, cam goes->valves stop-> pistons keep going... when moving pistons collide with stationary valves, more than just a belt and camshaft need to be replaced. >>



Well, I just assumed the lobes were worn off the cam, not that it had snapped. I mentioned the belt only because you NEVER pull the front off of a 4 banger and not change the timing belt/chain.

If your pop would rather fuss with mating exhaust, wiring, fuel system, mounts and trannies than just swap the cam he must want to get out of the house bad.🙂
 
Well the problem is my dad can't swap the cam, and he can't find a new cam (I guess he found the bearings for it but that'd cost him a lot, or so he said)

He's buying my uncle's truck, and was just gonna swap em out. Crazy maybe, but I guess I never stand in the way of his ideas.

My dad's brother works on vehicles, and my dad's other brother works on semi's, so working with vehicles runs in the family (and it stopped w/me)
 
If you take a look under there I think you will possibly find that the starter fits on the opposite side of the transmission..not sure on that far back in models. If that is the case you may need to swap transmissions. then there is the concern of the Powertrain control module, EEC harness, radiator, exhaust system, etc. Its generally not the piece of cake it once was. Perhaps it would be easier to swap body components and repaint the truck?

Oh and if air conditioned all components under the hood may have to be swapped as well
 
it isn't air conditioned...

oh well, my dad seems intent on doing it lol..

I'll have to let you know how many times he scratches his head and starts swearing 😉
 


<< The question is it worth going through all this hassle to end up with a 2.9l v6 instead of a 2.3l 4 banger. I don't think so. >>



The Ranger 4-cylinders were notoriously crappy engines. If Paulson's dad is willing and able to do the work, a V-6 would be much, much more reliable.
 


<< Well, my dad seems intent on switching the parts... since the tranny/clutch are ok in the 90 ranger, and most other stuff is the same, my dad was only planning on swapping out the engine...

As for the camshaft & timing belt, well my dad looked into getting a new camshaft for it and I guess he didn't want to do that, just wanted to swap engines out. As for emissions, here in minnesota I don't think they ever check emmissions anyways so...

The whole idea behind it is to take a working engine, put it in a decent truck, then you're left with a non working engine and crappy truck to send off to the junkyard. That way I guess everyone wins... >>




I'm not an aftermarket modding expert, but I believe transmission has to be geared differently for a V6( or is it inline 6?). You'll have to rev the V6 as high as you'd rev the four cylinder engine in same gear to go the same speed if you use the transmission you already have.
 
Anything is possible if you've got the time and money.
How about a Chevy smallblock V-8 in a Vega or a Ford 289 in a Pinto.
Seen 'em both, the Vega won.😉
 
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