I have a 2.3 5 speed 2001 Ranger 2 wheel drive with a very very tired engine that I would like to replace. The information I can find on the web is very conflicting. Some of it says that all 2.3 DOHC engines are the same basic block and I can use any of them as long as I change things like the intake and exhaust manifolds. While some say that the Ranger engine most be replace with a Ranger engine only of certain years. Since Ford uses a 2.3 DOHC enine in a lot of their vehicles, I hope someone can tell me what fits what? Thank you! Brendan

 

best bet would be to get one from a Ranger as it is the only rear wheel drive application. Mid year 2001 was when first used.

 

Call local salvage yards an ask what year engines do you have that will fit my truck?
My 2004 Ranger their book says 2004--thru 2006 Ranger engine will fit it.

 

Curious, those engines are good for 500,000 miles, how is your tired?

 

The fun part: Son in rage acellerating at high rpm (gets habit from me) on grass.....
the gasket on _ram oil filter blew out the side if filter for about 3/4--1 inch. Its not till 4miles later that oil pressure light/engine light came on at 4 way stop. Towed home replaced an refilled with oil. Started lifters pumped up ...not only valve noise but slight tap/knock from crank. Engine had about 50K on it an I expected many more miles.
Oh well young folks gotta have fun.
Carl

 

I wonder if a 2.5 Duratec would bolt right in?

No replacement for displacement.

 

Dang that sucks. Another reminder to myself and others reading this post as to why I never use Fr*m filters. Unfortunately I don't know enough about interchange on your engine to help much here. Other complete engines will bolt right in, but you are best off sticking with your existing setup. Have you contacted any engine exchange places? Are you just shopping yards?

 

Doesnt really sound like the oil filter's fault. Sounds more like it was not tightened down properly...too loose and the o-ring will blow out, too tight and you will squeeze it out. Either that or the filter was plugged up from failure to maintain. Duratecs are about the best engines ford has ever designed. Only engine thats a tie for #1 or close #2 is the 3.0 vulcan.

 

I know these Ford 2.3's are supposed to be almost industructable and mine only has 77K on it. What happened is that on the way home from a trip, I noticed that I was blowing lots of black smoke out the tail pipe. I didn't have any choice so I just drove it home. When I got home I worked for about two weeks trouble shooting the problem, everything looked OK and the computer showed no codes. Finally in desperation I removed the intake manifold and found that the swirl dampers were jamed closed and that the ball and socket from the actuater had seperated (You can't see this with the manifold on the engine). I was able to free up the dampers and repair the ball and socket. No more black smoke, but lots of blue smoke. The oil was way over full and contaminated with gasoline. I changed the oil, but it is burning at the rate of 1qt per 100 miles. I must have washed down the cylinder walls and ruined the rings.