94 2.3 - pulling to rebuild - need help
 

I have a '94 2.3 Ranger, 5-speed - all stock motor and drivetrain. I'm about to turn over 300,000 miles. I do a lot of highway driving in my job. The truck has become "tired" over the years - frankly, it never has had a lot of "zip", performance-wise. I've decided to pull the motor and rebuild it - or maybe put in a rebuilt motor, crate motor, etc. I've got enough backyard mechanic skills to pull and install a motor, and do external bolt-ons, but I don't have the ability to do high tolerance/motor internal-type work. My goal is to end up with the following (1) a very reliable motor; (2) a very street-friendly, driveable motor; (3) a motor that lends itself to cruising at about 75 mph; (4) a motor that has some zip to it - particularly for passing cars on the highway, and going up hills without losing speed; (5) a motor that has a noticeable increase in power. To the degree that some of you folks can simply tell me what needs to be done, or what my options are - pros and cons, I'd appreciate it. I'm willing to spend $2-3k on this project - because I sure can't buy a new truck for that kind of money, and it's time for me to revitalize my '94. Thanks in advance for your help. HERSHELL

I would buy a short block
 

I would buy a short block.Power is made on the 2.3 in the head/cam.So I would take the head to a shop Have them shave the head first off each .020 is worth about 1/2 point CR.Shave to as much CR as you want.I wouldnt go much more than .080 You would be close to 10.5 to 1.Cam up to about 220/225 duration @.050 intake side (dual pattern is nice for stock exhaust mani)Would not hurt to port and polish things yourself before taking head into shop.(I have some nice pics if i had your e-mail addy.)Also if you are replacing the valves they sell the larger ones on e-bay all the time.And the last two things I would do would be go 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" exhaust(I run full 2 1/2" exhaust and a pacesetter header).And last but not least go with a escort flywheel it is about 5 lbs less than stock ranger,cheap at any yard. :-X22

If you are willing to get a few grand into a rebuild, I'd definitely find out how a 2.7L stroker kit fits into the plans.

I think it's Racer Walsh--could be Esslinger--that sells that kit.

If I didn't work offshore for now, I'd have probably started getting specifics and gotten started by now....

Before I'd spend that kind of money on a stroker kit(very expensive for the return) I'd just go with 5.7 rods and wiesco forged pistons and spray(NO2) my way to what HP level you would want.If you even wanted to go that crazy,and spend all of that money. :-rip

actully you can shave the head 0.100 safetly up to .150 (we shave our 2.3 race car head .130 leaves us room to cleean them up more) but you will have to use studs in the head and a $90 gasket (but it will SCREAM down the road)
port and polish the intake exhuast and the head if your engine is the newer small journal 2300 check on the stroker kit using the ford 2500 crank and rods and if you want to get rid of fuel injection buy a adapter from racer walsh or essling and slap a 500 cfm holley on that puppy!!!
just a few ideals !

What would be the point of shaving past 10.5 to 1 for the street?Unless your into 3.50 gallon turbo blue,on a daily driver.Also the stock manifold from 79-86 2.3L car would have the Holley 2v flange on it for $30 bucks at any yard.its a single plane and works well up to 6k.Unless you plan on spinning up to about 8k I wouldn't spend the money on a aftermarket intake. :-hair

just depends on how radical h wanted to get :-X24 yeah the 74-80 pinto intake will except a holly also (I preferr the motorcraft carbs) the adaptor for the tfi intake is "supposed" to center the carb for better fuel combustion.. now if he really wanted to scream get a turbo coupe or a merkur and put that motor and turbo in there :-hair

I run the 86 mustang(last carb year) intake with a 2to4 adapter plate and a holley 600 vac secondary.I had it laying around and easy to get parts to tune and change power valves.

yeah but I run mine on dirt track and the Holley's have to many thing to fix for dirt track and we are not allowed four barrel so we take the adaptor off the pinto intake and use a spacer plate from a 302 2 barrel and slap on the ol 2 barrel and go!