I have a 1984 4WD Ranger with 5-speed manual transmission and 2.8L V-6. I would like to swap in a different engine, but don't know what would match up to my transmission. I really don't want to convert up to fuel injected to keep things simple. Is a 2.3L the same match for the transmission? If going the EFI route, has anyone tried a 3.8L from a 94-95 Mustang?

 

I would be looking at a 2.9 from a few years on. I think the block will fit and work properly, as the 2.9 was based on the 2.8. Cylinder heads differ, as do valve lifters & valve train.
If you can get a EVTM for the year of the 2.9, and can understand it, you'll see that the EFI systems don't need a lot from the rest of the truck to work. Power & ground, and some sensors, along with fuel supply components.
I don't know if there is a carb intake that will fit. I was not a fan of the 2.8 as I think the ones I was familiar with were gas hogs. For some reason the 2.9 seemed to not use as much fuel. More I cannot say.
tom

 

The only engines that will bolt up to your transmission (other than another 2.8) are all fuel injected. The only engines that share the same bellhousing bolt pattern with the 2.8 are the 2.9 and the 4.0 V6s, and neither of those were ever available with a carb. 4 cylinders have a different bolt pattern, 3.8s have a different bolt pattern. I'm not sure if your Toyo Koygo transmission has a removable bellhousing or not. If it does, you could probably swap a 4 cylinder bell housing on it. You won't find a bellhousing for any other engine that's compatible with your transmission though.

 

Thanks for the advice. I don't know of anything in my area from the 2.9L era, and I'm not too sure I want to go to all the work for a 4.0. I have a non-running 92 ranger with the 2.3L that I think I'll dig into to see what the transmission/bell housing situation looks like. I still would like to think I could swap in a mildly upgraded carbed 2.3 or 2.5 for simplicity and durability. It's mostly a ranch pickup and takes me to work in town some of the time.

 

One other (unlikely) source is the 2.8 used in Mustang II and Capri. They were also used in the next Mustang, from 79 up, I think. They loved them some petrol.(oinkers on gas)
Good luck finding one of those.
Maybe setting the 92 alongside yours and swapping in all the parts you need(if you can make it run) would be an easier change. The cabs are the same, so you could actually pull the instrument cluster, the wires, and so on, and poke it into your 84. You would also need to lift up the bed and swap the pump(s) and fuel line stuff. It is just nuts and bolts, rather than engineering from scratch.
tom

 

I've been too busy to tear into anything yet, but remembered that 90's taurus ran a 3.0 six that was good on gas. Any way to know what family of bellhousing bolt pattern they have? They should be easy to find

 

Tauruses had two different 3.0s. There was the pushrod Vulcan 3.0, and the Duratec DOHC 3.0 Which one are you talking about?

Rangers were available from the factory with the Vulcan 3.0, starting around 1990. They have their own unique bellhousing pattern, not shared with any other engine.

 

Assuming I decided to do a 4.0L swap in, I might be able to use the fuel tank/pump/lines from the non running 92. What from the instrument cluster is needed? Would any of the wiring from the 2.3L work?