I have an 86 b2000 mazda pickup. I have been told that a small block v8 that fits in a ranger or a mustang will fit in my truck. and I have been reading about the 351W. does anyone know if this engine, or which small block V8 engine will fit in my truck?

 

302 would fit fine as well as a 351W,I would go with 302 due to weight...
also you will need trans also..it would take some work but it can be done

 

OK, I know they updated the Mazda in the mid 80's. I had an '83 or '84. It was pretty lean on body strength. And the brakes were solid discs up front and drums out back. Hhhmmm. Might be interesting to get some real power in one of those but do consider the "how's it turn?" and "how's it stop?"

You are looking at fabricating some of your own parts. Got a good welder that actually penetrates the metal?

 

I know in the older rangers (flame suit on) people around here prefer the chebby 305. They say it's not as wide so it fits the engine bay better. It's still gonna be a pain....

 

pfogle: I've not paid much attention, but are you saying the SBC is narrower than the 351W? That sound correct. But the 302?

Also, isn't the SBC about 100 lbs porkier than the 302?

Yes, I agree, something in one of those new "You can bore and stroke it out to 427" SBC's would be my choice. Who cares about the solid discs when you have two parachutes out back....

 

I remember back in the late 80s early 90s when the V8 small chassis trucks were coming into style, they were using the 305 in the ranger. Something about it fit the bay better. I never actually looked that hard. THe 305 is a 90 degree V8, I'm not sure about the 302 but I don't think it's 90 degree.... Which would make it wider.

 

The 302 IS a 90 degree motor(100% sure), I don't think the SBC's are though(75% sure). I think you're backwards there. That would still account for the SBC being a little narrower, if that's even true. BTW I live in Central OH, and I've never seen a 305 in a ranger, just in S10's.
Scott

 

there are several kits available to install a SBF (which IS 90degree, btw )
into a 2wd ranger, me and a buddy put one in his in a weekend, along with a
built c4, that thing would flat "git it", if you could keep from smearing the tires for a block or 3...
not sure what it entails with a 4wd, but there are several companies that make the kits, most just consist of a set of engine mounts, and some even come with a tranny mount.
A Mazda b series should be nearly the same, mechanically...

edit: a SBC is 90 dgree, as well. (now, where is that bar of soap, i said a bad word, hahaha )

 

Traction is a HUGE problem in these trucks when they get any type of power to the rear wheels. Shortbed helps a little, but not much. My buddy had a windsor in a ranger longbed, he couldn't connect to the pavement to save his life. Fast as heell, though.
Scott

 

I know for a fact the 305 is a 90 degree motor. I have a variant in my malibu (229 v6, it's a 305 with 2 less cyls. even cast in the same molds). I'm goin on what I see in MORROW (aka MORON) county, and the town of MARENGO (AKA MORON city).... So I can only tell you what I was seeing and hearing some years ago... Noone up here wants a ford, they all thing the bowtie is better. That or the female reproductive system trucks.... (AKA Dodge Ram)...

 

Whereabouts around Marengo? I live on County Road 26(not IN Marengo though)...Anyhow, I do agree that the 305(and all SBC's) are 90 motors. The difference in width comes from another source. I see PLENTY of Fords here, but the reason Bowtie's are more popular is because the cost and simplicity to repair. I don't know if you've ever worked on them, but Chitvrolet parts are very interchangable from vehicle to vehicle, and a lot less expensive in many cases. We don't exactly live in a rich county up here....
Scott

 

Almost all modern V8s are 90 degrees. That is part of the smooth balance of the motor. The only one I can think of that isn't is the old 348-409 Chev--which were 72 degrees.

V6's need to be 60 degrees. Some are 90 and are shakers as a result. Some have split journals to smooth that out.

Ever noticed how a Ducati motorcycle has that certain sound? 90 degress baby, it's the ultimate.....
Either way, that old Mazdarati will fly......

 

I had installed several v-8s in rangers,there is reallly nothing to it
look a my pic of my latest toy...

 

Nothing like reviving a 9 year old thread...

I've come into an 87 B2600 with a bad 2.6 motor, thinking about doing the swap to a 5.0

There was a company called Ultimate customs or something like that, that sold a Chevy V8 conversion kit for this truck, and then later started offering a Ford V8 conversion kit as well. due to the distributor being up front, the Ford V8 conversion was actually less work/effort/modification. You had to do some pretty serious firewall notching & beating to make the Chevy V8 fit.

Interested to hear any tips and tricks from someone who has done the Ford 302 swap, before I get neck-deep into this.

 

[I][B] Not true, had my info mixed up regarding the angle that the deck is cut at. Angle between banks is 90 degrees