85 Ranger 4x4 engine choice
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: montgomery city usa
2.8, 2.9, 4.0 will all bolt up to your tranny. The 2.9 and 4.0 you will need to get all the wiring, the computer and swap your fuel system to the EFI. Or you can swap a 302 (any small block) but there is a lot of stuff you need for that swap. I rebuilt my 2.8 in my 84 I rebuilt my 2.8 and did the dura spark conversion. my 87 I swapped in a 302 with a T-18 4 speed and bought the adaptors to keep my driveshafts and transfer case. I am currently getting ready to swap a 4.0into my 89 BII that has a 2.9 in it now.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I've seen some pretty detailed information on doing the 302 swap and I'm not sure I'm ready for that commitment yet. The fuel injection might be nice but as you said I would need everything so that might not be any easier then the 302.
I'm considering doing some work to the 2.8, were you happy with your rebuild? Did you add anything else besides the Duraspark conversion? I'm going to do a compression check on the engine this weekend to see if I have anything to work with first.
I'm considering doing some work to the 2.8, were you happy with your rebuild? Did you add anything else besides the Duraspark conversion? I'm going to do a compression check on the engine this weekend to see if I have anything to work with first.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: montgomery city usa
i had water holes drilled in the heads. when you take the heads off you will notice that the gasket has hole for water port but the head doesn't. i had them drill out the water holes between the 2 valves that were closest together. Sorry dont remeber which ones i will look this weekend though for i have extra heads. This made the motor run a little cooler. I am happy with the rebuild. Its bored 30 over and all stock except for the dura spark and the water ports. I get about 20 mpg, have good power and pick up. will do better if i ever get around to changing my gears. specs on truck 84 ranger 2wd std cab long bed, 5 speed 3.45 gears. fresh 2.8
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: montgomery city usa
A simple upgrade to the 2.8L heads is to drill two more water passages in them between where the two exhaust valves are side by side. This helps prevent a local boiling point from forming. Just use a good head gasket that already has the water passage holes in them for a guide, and mark the head and drill two holes. Keep the holes a little smaller than the holes in the head gasket
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Whitetail90
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
17
Mar 11, 2017 07:37 AM
