1993 Mustang 2.3 into 1988 Ranger?

68Mercury250Ranger · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 04:51 AM

I have a 1988 Ranger with a broken 2.3. pulled off head expecting a head gasket, found a 1/4- 3/8" deep groove in #2 cylinder. (4plug head) 5spd truck.

I found a 1993 Mustang 2.3 with only 160,000km on it for $275 Canadian. I can still hear it run in car. (8plug head) 5spd car

My big question is: can they be interchanged and if so what should I get off of the mustang more than just the engine. Manifolds/computer/sensors? anything else .

I am a truck/coach mechanic and this is my first attempt at engine swapping a 2.3.
Sorry for my 4cyl ignorance, I had a 1987 and a 1988 tbird coupes afew years ago and was amazed at what the little 2.3 could do. They were very reliable and all I ever did was a basic tuneup.

Any tips, knowledge, advice, all appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any help. Don't hold back, I'm hoping to look at Friday or Saturday.

ghunt · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 12:12 PM

They can be interchanged but it will require some work.

If the head from your ranger is still good, I'd recommend stripping the mustang engine down to a rotating assembly (sans head), and swapping everything from your Ranger engine over to the Mustang engine. The block & rotating assembly on the DIS 2.3 was identical to the older 2.3's.

The DIS block will have a rubber plug in the distributor hole, you can pull this plug and you should be able to install the distributor. The auxiliary shaft should be there as I believe they left it there to drive the oil pump. You'll have to check all this out.

Like I said, most everything will swap over. Got any q's just lemme know. I'm no expert on the DIS engines but I do know the 2.3 pretty well inside and out.

Old Rob · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 04:46 PM

The major change in the blocks for the distless engines cam in 1994. Other than main bearing dia the short block should interchange.

68Mercury250Ranger · #4 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 09:17 PM

I have talked to a few local ford guys and think I can use my dist. and electronics and only wire up the 1 set of plugs, and leave the "intake side plugs where they are. Does this make any sense? I really don't want to use my original head as I have NO history on the engine.

Thanks for input and keep it up. I will probably get down on Monday to check it out.