I recently got rid of a 68 Mustang coupe that originally had a 200 cubic inch six cylinder in it. I got the powertrain except rear end from the guy who bought the car, as he won't be needing it.

I"ve got an 87 ranger sitting around, and i don't have a 4cyl to swap back into the truck, so my question would be, how hard is it to swap in a 200 cubic inch six into this ranger body?

I know its impractical, and i should either put a v8 in it, or forget the whole idea. But the sight of popping the hood and seeing that small six sitting under the hood, with twin 1bbls or either 2x 2bbls thrills me to no end along with a mild shot of the giggle gas just for fun.

And it would help get some of the vehicles my dad has sitting around going.

The truck wouldn't be used for every day street driving, and would be used for 1/4 drags only, or 1/8th mile.

Any ideas/comments are welcome!

 

I'd do it. Just something to tinker around on. Don't think it would hurt anything.

 

as long as it phisically fits, then go for it. u got the motor mounts? might have to modify the front cross member for the oil pan and such. but that would be so nice to see a 200 in an older ranger with header, 2 2bls and stuff...interesting project, good luck...

 

i've got a double sump oil pan off of another 200 that i have laying around... i'd prefer to use the 68, as its got the higher compression head.

As far as motor mounts, i can get those fabbed up...i just don't know how much i'll be in the hole doing this. Might have to convert the motor mounts from a fox mustang over to the rangers K member.

Trans mount is going to be another pita, but i'll work that one out too.

At least here i get some actual input, and not a flamewar started like i did on another site.

Thanks guys, keep the input coming!

P.S. The whole part of doing this, is to keep me from building a hotrod out of my 300, i use it for my daily driver and to haul things. (I don't want it to loose any low end or anything, about as much as its getting is EFI duals and a ign upgrade...possibly a 2bbl waaaay down the line.)

 

I just put EFI's on my '82. When you do, be sure to check out the Walker downpipe - it's sweet. Single 2-1/2" outlet just past the tranny crossmember (I cut mine off in front of it). The stock EFI downpipe is a dual, (looked like 2") which might be better for some applications.

 

This would be an interesting project, not sure I have heard of someone doig something like this.

Thoughts:
1. Aftermarket performance parts will be very limited for the 200
2. What transmission are you planning to use?
3. The head, I thought, had the intake manifold cast as part of the head - this means you'll have to do some serious machine work on the head to run 2 x 1 or 2 x 2 carbs on it.
4. Might be cheaper in the long run to sell the engine and buy a rusted out 87 F150 with the 300 I6 and swap this over to the 87 Ranger :-o


Good luck

Jerry

 

The 300 into a ranger has been done, but i'm not going through that PITA! One guy said it was like stuffing a 7.3 Liter Powerstroke in a Geo Metro!

As for the other answers...

1) Aftermarket Performance Parts for the 200 do abound, i know of several places that carry them, even though there really aren't many.

2)At first i planned to use a T5, but i'd have to get into bellhousing adapters and the like, and just decided thats too much of a hassle. So i'm using the c4 that comes with the 200.

3)You are right, the head does have the cast on integral intake manifold, but you can have it milled to accept 3x1's or 2X2's i've seen a couple intakes like this online, and locally. about $40 dollars if you can find the right machine shop.

4)See First Comment

I think it'd be neat too... i can't wait to get crackin' on it.

 

did ya try to post over at fordsix.com? im sure they can help ya even more.

 

Yea, i've got a post going on in the truck forum, but its got like 13 replies, lots of good info. But as of yet i haven't really found someone with maybe a little more experience at this than me to give me some pointers.

 

I had a 1984 Mazda B-2000 that I was modifying for a 300-6. I had to cut out the firewall, and still the wp pulley would have been RIGHT BEHIND the grill, with the radiator in the back. I ended up needing a new engine in my F-250 before that project ever got finished, but anything is doable. If it's just for racing, I don't see whay you couldn't do it. Yes, you would loose the passenger side footwell, and some of the driver's side, and have to run a taller 'glass hood, but with a good scattersheild, I don't see why not.

 

I don't belive that the 200 is quite that long, nor quite that tall as its bigger brother the 300. Since its a drag truck, i have no problems with hacking the firewall or modifying the front clip, as it will seldom see road use, except as a parts getter when my other truck is down.

I don't doubt stuffing a 300 in the engine bay of a Ranger/B-Series mazda was going to be more of a project than i'd personally wanna hassle with.

Keep the suggestions comin' guys!

 

there is a guy here at work that has a 200 in a small Mazda pickup also - looks like it fit nicely

 

Hm, someone already stuffed a 200 in a Mazda, neat. I'd like to talk to the guy to see what he had to do to make it work.

 

If I remember correctly, I think it was installed by RAM engine here in Spokane.

 

Hm, he had a shop do his, i'd still like to talk to him and compare notes.

Anyhow, i've been measuring my Ranger out today, and everything is a go, sometime later this week i'll start yanking engines and busting knuckles.