I recently picked up a 3.8 supercoupe motor and I want to swap it into a 93-97 ranger to build a mini lightning.
I've found a bunch of info that says the 4.2 and 3.8 cranks will interchange. I was wondering what externally would interchange.
motor mounts, trans, etc.


I have a 93 Lightning with a 351w and nothing is the same.
My friend just rebuilt a 97 2wd F150 with a 4.2.
And I have friends with both 3.0 and 4.0 rangers.
I have all the different vehicles to compare and I was wondering if anybody knew off hand if the 4.2 F150 stuff would help me put a 3.8 in a ranger?

Thanks

 

NO NO NO NO NO

dont waste your time with that project my friend had a ford ranger and if you want a mini lightning then the only way to go is with a 5.0 ranger. IT CAN BE DONE i have personal experience in building one and believe me it is a worth wile project. if you want to pass people uphill in the mountains at 100mph+ this is the swap for you and if you add a supercharger who knows how fast you could be.

 

you might want to post something on sccoa supercoupe club. www.sccoa.com there are alot of guru's on there.

Interesting swap I think. The 5.slow would be the easier swap, and the 3.8 isn't exactly the pinnacle of reliabliity (headgasket monster, lol)

Good luck with it.

Justin

 

Also, the 5.0 would be cheaper to build...

 

so the 4.2 is simply a 3.8 with a longer arm and pistons to match....nothing else? I have a friend with a 3.8L Cougar who is going to rebuild the engine and trans. He doesn't want to swap in a V8.

 

Tell him to bore and stroke it into a 4.2 then