What do ya'll think? I'm thinking about buying a brand new 2.3L for my '85 Ranger. This engine has everything--it's not just a long block. It has the fuel system and everything. How easy/hard would it be to swap it in? My Ranger only has 95,000 miles on it, but it is starting to smoke at startup and sitting at lights. I know that I could just keep on putting oil in, but I can get this engine for $600. No, it's not stolen.... Anyway, is this a feasible swap?

 

Feasible, yes. But, I think, you could simply refresh yours, for a lot cheaper, and save the $$$. If it's smoking already, I'd bet it's simply valve seals.. Gonna cost you a lot less than an engine swap.
Beyond that, if I were swapping engines, I'd reconsider the 2.3.
If I was going to swap out my engine, I'd be looking for a 4.0 or 5.0 to drop in it, which, in all reality, wouldn't cost much more than what you're looking at doing now, maybe a few hundred.

Just my opinion..

 

Well, it'd be an unusual combo. I *think* you are talking about the new engine that topk the place of the Lima 2.3. You'd have to figure out fuel system stuff, ignition stuff, exhaust, bell housing fit. A whole bunch of worms that would gain about 20 hp and some torque. Probably a neat thing if you have lots of time, but as noted, there are more common swaps that gain a lot more for a lot less work.
JMO (just my opining...)
tom

 

i think that you can fix it really simply i had the same problem and for about 8-10 dollars you can go napa auto parts or relative part store and buy this stuff called sea foam and you add it to your crankcase and to your fuel