looking at several b2's. one with 2.8 and one with 2.9. which motor is best overall ?

 

I'd say they are pretty equal. They share the same block I have been told. Some say the 2.9 has bad heads. The 2.9 is fuel injected. The 2.9 makes a few more ponies. My truck has a 2.8 and I love the thing. It is totally dependable. It is far from a race truck. If your wanting a race truck go get one with a V8.

 

I agree with beefysbronco that they are pretty equal. I personally prefer the fuel injected engine, probably because that's what I'm most familiar with. Someone else who knows carburators but not EFI would probably prefer the 2.8. Which would you prefer? Carburated or fuel injected?

 

i would probably prefer efi as long as it is as reliable as the carb. are the heads on the 2.8 cast or aluminum ? what about h.p ratings for both ? my dad had 3 different rangers during his life. starting out with a 1985 2.8 , then on to a 1987 2.9, then finally a 1989 4.0. the 4.0 outdid all of them in terms of reliability and power. the 2.9 was also very good . the 2.8 didnt seem to fare as well, (less power) mabe it was a lemon. all 3 rangers were manuals, which really seemed to help the rangers out quite a bit , (they were all 4x4's.) thanks.

 

I think it will boil down to personal preference. I have an 85 B2 (2.8) parts truck out in the garage that I know has more then 290,000 miles on it. The only reason it died was the local mechanic type dude put 2 T-Stats in it. He pulled the lower hose and didn't see one so he put one in. Turns out (and I didn't know this) that 85 was the year they started putting the T-Stat in the top hose. Consequently, It overheated, blew a head gasket and someone drove it around for a very long time with water in the oil.
This truck has a pretty neat history as it has been documented by the previous owner. That would be for another topic I guess though.

 

hey guys, hate to tell you this, but i will be having to leave you now. i went out and bought a CHEVY..................just kidding ! i actualy just picked up a 79 f150 super cab with a 460..........guess ill be moving on to a different forum for now. many thanks for all the tips ! F irst O n R ace D ay

 

whats a t -stat...?oh thermostat...i see

 

Sorry about that. My little brother is in the heating and ac field and T-Stat is what he calls the thermostat you hang on the wall. It just kinda rubbed off.