engine swap

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Apr 22, 2002 | 07:29 PM

white_lightning

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From: jax usa

engine swap

hey everyone. i am kinda new to the whole truck performance thing, but am currently getting WAY into this. I was into cars for a while, but decided to go with a ford ranger 91' xlt 3.0l 6cyl. I was wondering if anyonw knew whether it would be better to upgrade the engine, or keep the one i have and just make it fast. If i go with a new engine, i was thinking of going with a chevy v8. The only reason i would go with the chevy is because it is a)cheaper and b)my mechanic next door knows a chevy better. So my question is, is it better to keep the v6 and try to make it fast, or is it better to put a v8 in it? Any help would be great. thanks.

Apr 23, 2002 | 11:04 AM

loudfords

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From: Beachville, Ontario

engine swap

You're pretty brave talking about putting a brand X motor in your Ford on a Ford site. But don't worry, these ******* trucks are out there. (I have an 89 with a 305). The Chev engine & tranny fit pretty well with the exception of the distributor, you will have to dent in your firewall behind the distributor in order to have a decent engine setback. Wiring mods are pretty straight forward. Rad changes are the same as for putting a Ford V8 in. Previous owner who did conversion in my truck put a GM shift console in to hook up to 350 tranny and this also allowed for neutral safety switch wiring.

Be prepared to do some custom fit-up and welding to do a Chevy swap but if you're handy it's no problem. Personally I would do a Ford V8 conversion, motor mounts & such are readily available. I'm probably going to yank 305 and put a real motor in there sometime.

Apr 23, 2002 | 11:25 AM

dono

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engine swap

There is no substitute for cubic inches. More conversions are made with bowtie small blocks than any other engines. Haven't seen one in a Ranger, but why not. Good luck.
Dono

Apr 23, 2002 | 03:39 PM

white_lightning

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From: jax usa

engine swap

thanks, i hope it will work out. but i dont have to be pretty handy, as my neighbor is a mechanic who WANTS to help me with it! But he does chevy's and says they are cheaper and easier to find parts for. So whats the diff. in aford and chevy v8? someone told me i should put a 351w in it, whats all the difference?

Apr 23, 2002 | 04:54 PM

jaysonb

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Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Los Alamos, NM

engine swap

I have to stick up for FORD now, there is a reason why there are so many chebby parts around and why they are cheap. Sorry but someone was gonna say it eventually so...

Anyway, the easiest swap would be to put in a 302/5.0 ford in the ranger. It has been done and 302's have as many aftermarket parts as chebby 350's. Theres a company called Advanced Adapters that sells books and kits for the conversion, even headers, that will fit in the small engine compartment, etc. As far as differences in the ford engines, maybe part of your research before starting this project should be to read in the 302/351 forum, as well. Hope this helps.
Good Luck!

Jayson

Apr 24, 2002 | 10:05 AM

loudfords

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From: Beachville, Ontario

engine swap

As far as using Chevy vs. Ford, here goes:
(I'll leave availability & aftermarket alone since that's a tossup)

Reasons in favour of putting Chevy in Ranger:
oil changes are easier with rear mounted filter
most stock exhaust manifolds can be used with adequate frame clearance
slightly smaller external dimensions

Reasons in favour of putting Ford in Ranger:
distributor at front of engine has better firewall clearance
spark plugs easier to change
wiring easier
rads & accessories easier retrofit from other Ford products
transmission & speedometer easier to hookup
no dumb looks from parts counter guys when you ask for Chev parts for Ford Ranger

These are just a few things to think about for Ford vs. Chev V8. Don't be afraid to drop a Chev in it, it's a halfway popular swap around here. If you do it, you need a degrading Chev sticker, I have an old turtle with a cane that says Chev power on my truck. Another I have seen says "Built Ford Tough with (bowtie) Stuff".

BTW, the mechanic who e-tested mine did say that mine was the first one he'd seen where the factory speedo read the GM tranny.

Apr 24, 2002 | 10:45 AM

aksniper

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From: USA

engine swap

About all I can say is go with what you want, not what others want. Both Ford and Chevy engines have their pro's and con's. Me personally, I'd go with the 5.0L (302) just cause I'd wanna keep my truck a true Ford as much as I could. Chevy may have a lot of cheap parts and all...but there is one thing that I have found in my search for Ford engine parts. That would be that I have easily found specialists for Ford and their parts that specialize in one engine and one engine only, where I don't see so many individuals for Chevy specializing in one engine. They seem to know all the engines so can't get true performance. But thats all just my own opinion. Best advice though, research what you think you want before you jump into it. Its going to be a very spendy project. Oh yeah, talk to your mechanic buddy again. A lot of people say to do a proper build up start from the rear and move forward (changing axles, driveline, transmission, then engine) or else putting too much hp and torque on these parts will snap them. Just a thought. Goodluck with whatever you decide.

James