Engine swap options?

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Oct 9, 2013 | 11:22 AM

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jun 1999

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From: 3 mi N of Crookston, NE

Engine swap options?

I recently acquired a 1984 Ranger 4x4 with manual transmission and the original 2.8L carb V-6 engine. The frame, suspension, 4x4, and transmission seem solid for a good winter driver, but the engine is tired and using quite a bit of oil. I am wondering if there are any other engines that I might be able to find that would swap in to this Ranger? Are the late 80s 2.9L a direct swap? I don't want to have to change a lot of stuff to swap but would like to get away from the 2.8L if possible.

Oct 9, 2013 | 05:18 PM

f5fordgirl

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2012

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The 2.9 along with all the other V 6s are going to be injected, you really need a spare truck to get all the stuff you need. And some engines will mate your trans, some won't.

Oct 9, 2013 | 11:10 PM

19704X4F250

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Butler, IN

The 2.6, 2.8, 2.9, 4.0 & SOHC 4.0 V6 are in the same engine family. I wouldn't go with the 2.9 as the heads are prone to crack. I would swap in a 4.0. I think the intake and distributor would swap but you will have to do some research to be sure.

Oct 9, 2013 | 11:27 PM

Old93junk

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From: McKenzie River

Rebuild the 2.8..........Cheapest option by far.

My 2.8 was rebuilt for under $600 in parts and some machine shop work, all the rest done by me.

Oct 10, 2013 | 12:54 AM

77 1/2 F250

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Any option other than rebuilding the 2.8 are going to involve replacing the fuel system from the tank forward, since from the 2.9 on the engines were fuel injected.

The 4.0 does not even have a distributor, non of the ones I had did anyway, therefore you can't simply swap your intake and distributor onto one.

Like F5fordgirl said, the best way to do something like this is to have a complete donor truck.

I have an 88 4x4, tired 2.9 5-speed, that I use for local snowy day driving. I really don't like the lack of power (I can't even pull my johnboat 60 mph) but it would be more cost effective to buy another truck than to repower this one.

Robert

Oct 10, 2013 | 10:00 AM

Old93junk

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From: McKenzie River

If you are willing to spend a little $$$ and effort, a rebuild of the 2.8 can include parts and modifications that will make it run far better than a 2.9 and very close to a 4.0 in power.