WL:1990 Ford Ranger XLT

[Hibs]

I had a 1995 Honda civic that I bought for $400, put $300 fixing it up, then traded for this......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/ranger004.jpg

1990 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.9L V6, 5speed. When I first got it, I took it into the garage and started to look it over. First thing I discovered was a gas tank filler neck that was all fubared.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/003.jpg

Once I got it apart I figured it out. Someone had put in a brand new fuel pump, and ****ed up the OE filler neck in the process. The way it was, it wasn't even fully attached to the top of the gas tank. So when you would put gas in it, half of it would pour on the ground. Hmm... that explains why it only had 1/8th tank of gas when the guy dropped it off to me. So I went to the local U-Pull-It junkyard and got a good shape filler neck off a bronco II for $10.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/004.jpg

[Hibs]

Next up was fixing the exhaust, which the kid claimed "only needs a new gasket".... riiiiight.... I bought a couple adapters from Advanced Auto Parts for $6 and welded them in. Ain't pretty, but it's sealed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/022.jpg

[Hibs]

Then replaced the leaky pinion seal. I've only got pictures of it leaking, lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/024.jpg

[Hibs]

Next step was to get it running real good. I put in a new set of Motorcraft spark plugs. I also had noticed that it wasn't getting up to normal operating temperature. I first thought the temp sensor sending unit was bad, put in a new one at $4. That didn't fix it, so then i figured it must be a stuck thermostat. I get the Tstat housing off, to find that it had NO thermostat in it at all. great. might be an overheating issue? i flushed about 15gallons of water through the system before it finally started coming out clean, then put in my new 180* tstat and filled it up with fresh coolant. it then got up to regular operating temperature just fine and no signs of overheating. sweet! i drove it like this for about a week, no problems. after a week, i started to smell a hint of antifreeze. i thought maybe i had a leak somewhere. pull it back into the garage, nope, no leaks. checked the radiator, it's about a gallon low. check my oil.... yep, it's over full and milky. AWESOME!

[Hibs]

I figured I wouldn't waste my time with this **** ass 2.9L v6, so the search began......

about a month later, i stumbled across this on craigslist. i had to drive up to Nottingham PA to pick it up, was about an hour and a half drive which landed us straight into Amish country. Not even kidding, while i was loading the car up on the dolly, there was like two horse pulled carriages that drove by, lol. My good friend Wes (hillbilly's cousin) and his dad helped me out, we used his Chevy 1500 and their car dolly to pick it up. $35 in gas, $16 in lunch at BK, and $600 for the car and I've got a new heart for the ranger!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/011.jpg

hmm... what's that gauge on the dash?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/012.jpg

Yes, that's a boost gauge. That's also a T5 transmission. What can it be?















http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/013.jpg

You guessed it. A 1988 Thunderbird Turbocoupe with a turbocharged, intercooled 2.3L motor and T5 transmission, 8.8 with disc brakes and 3.55 gears.

[Hibs]

runs and drives great. surprisingly, the motor has no oil leaks. coolant is clean and the oil is fresh. I'll be pulling it out in the next couple days, probably pull the pan just to inspect the bearings, but otherwise it will get new oil pan/valve cover gaskets, cleaned and painted, then thrown right into the ranger!

Got a cherry picker and engine stand ready...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/0142.jpg

[Hibs]

Ohh, forgot to ad. The truck is currently rolling on 245/45/17's mounted on stock 94-95mustang GT "tri-bar" wheels...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/wheel2.jpg

[Hillbilly]

Start swapping

[MadmaX]

I started reading this thread and thought "holy ****, a 2.9 that still runs", lol. That's a good swap, I'm jealous.

[shevelle6t9]

sweet swap but man them wheels look like **** on a truck

[STOK5OH]

Ha,as soon as I saw it still had that cologne motor in it...I puked in my mouth a little. Be glad it is dead.

[Hibs]

**18 FEB 09**


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/017.jpg

It started snowing a little today, but that didn't stop me...

The motor is just about ready to pull. I just need to remove the AC and power steering lines. Tomorrow I'll be yanking the tranny, and hopefully Friday I'll pull the motor.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/021.jpg

My pile'o'parts....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/022-1.jpg

SWEET reman'ed VANE airflow meter!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/024-1.jpg

[Coupelx]

junk :)

[Hibs]

junk :)

Ya I know. I'll probably put it on for now just for a simple swap. Once i've got a little more money, i plan to upgrade a bunch of stuff, then I have a MS1 V3.0 sitting in the tool box that will probably go on.

[MadmaX]

and seeing how it's a truck, the IHI is even appropriate. ya know, unless you're trying to make it fast or sumthin. But as a kick around pickup that's great.

[Hibs]

and seeing how it's a truck, the IHI is even appropriate. ya know, unless you're trying to make it fast or sumthin. But as a kick around pickup that's great.

CoupeLX is sending me a T3 i'm going to slap on. I also plan on porting the E6, porting the T3, and i all ready have a 40bob.com ported lower intake and an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. That will all go on first thing when it's put in the ranger.

Then, in about a month or so, I plan to put on a 3" turbo outlet, 3" downpipe and 3" exhaust all the way back. A 40bob.com rotated and gutted upper intake with a FMIC.

Maybe by the end of summer I'll get bigger injectors, 255lph fuel pump, then the put on the megasquirt. Then I'll be done. I figure I'll be around 275hp and I'll leave it like that.

[ali]

very nice

[Yngvar]

nice swap I like. Sounds like you should have some fun when your done

[Hibs]

**12 FEB 09**

Last night spent a couple hours on it. Removed the starter, exhaust, driveshaft, shifter, clutch lines, tranny crossmember, A/C and power steering. Decided I'll leave the tranny attached to the motor and pull it as one. All that is left is unbolt the motor mounts and pull it. I didn't have a chain though, so had to run to Home Depot and buy a 3' section of 5/16" chain and a couple anchor points. After I got home I had to spend time with the wife, so I should be back out there tonight and have it pulled. Then I'll be cleaning.

[fmstruck]

I'm not a Ford guy, but I've always liked the looks of those pickups and thought a 302 swap in one of them would be cool. I like your swap better. That should be a lot of fun when completed.

[82355]

I like (except the wheels).

Martin

[toom1h]

Agreed.

[Hibs]

The wheels will work for now. I had them laying around, so I figured I might as well put them to use. I really would like to find myself a set of 05+ GT wheels that are in the "torque thrust" look. They look really good on a ranger. I've got pics of one at home that I'll dig up and post. But, right now, I'm spending my money on the swap. Maybe I can find some take-offs by the end of summer.

[Hibs]

http://images.craigslist.org/3k23o13l8ZZZZZZZZZ92b748d0d2a8edb13cf.jpg

These wheels, on a ranger. They look good.

[toom1h]

Yeah they'd look good on that style of ranger fo sho.

[jeff5755]

I agree. But was there something wrong with the old wheels/tires? I think they looked way better than the mustang wheels.

[toom1h]

And I also agree with that lol.

[Hibs]

I agree. But was there something wrong with the old wheels/tires? I think they looked way better than the mustang wheels.

besides being dry rotted, bald, and wires showing?

i wasn't going to waste money on 14" tires, when I had a set of 17"s just laying in the garage. I also need a set of good tires, as I plan to participate in a few motorsports events with the ranger. I think the first thing I'll be dong is the PA hill climb ( www.pahillclimb.org ). Then take it to the strip a few times and maybe try and find a road course or two.

[Hibs]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/001-1.jpg

[Burntz]

nice nice, sounds pretty sweet

[MadmaX]

port yer head. that made a bigger difference than anything on mine.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hibs]

port yer head. that made a bigger difference than anything on mine.
Posted via Mobile Device

I plan to gasket match it to get started, but nothing crazy.

would sure be nice to get a BOPORT ported head and cam. but that's to much money then i've got now.

[Coupelx]

cute engine, they come in men's?



:)

[MadmaX]

the castings are just terrible. There's no magic to it, just clean it up. heck, let the local machine shop do it. where I used to get a touch of knock at 18 psi I had none at 21 with no other changes.

[Hibs]

*** 26 FEB 09 ***

Got the motor on the engine stand....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/008.jpg

Had a turbo nut round off, so had to grind it off....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/010.jpg

Got the motor all tore down...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/016.jpg

Found this in the #2 cylinder... meh... not sure what I'm going to do about it yet. I of course am just going to try and hone it first, i hope i don't have to bore it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/HibsLX/Ranger/014.jpg

Also pulled the main and rod caps off. all the main bearings look good, but i've got some rod bearings just BARELY showing copper. That, combined with the scoring in the #2 cylinder, I'm probably going to save up for a whole new ring/bearing kit. This sets me back a few weeks, as I don't have the cash for that right now. Ohh well, it's going to be done right.

[Burntz]

could be a blessing in disguise, as now you kinda HAVE to freshen the engine up, and you'll feel alot better about driving it, knowing its gonna be decently reliable

[Coupelx]

a 2.3 is damn near bullet proof. I bet if you you never cracked it open and ran it. it would have run forever.

I put the motor out of that pos cougar in the merkur and never looked inside except to change cam. it lives happily at 25psi. I love these little boat anchors!

[Hibs]

a 2.3 is damn near bullet proof. I bet if you you never cracked it open and ran it. it would have run forever.

I put the motor out of that pos cougar in the merkur and never looked inside except to change cam. it lives happily at 25psi. I love these little boat anchors!

true. i hope i can get it down to the machine shop soon and see how bad it is. i've found a set of stock pistons for $75, if i can get it all honed out for like $50 i'll be good.

[82355]

Why don't you just dingleberry it?

Martin

[Hibs]

Why don't you just dingleberry it?

Martin

I originally thought about doing that, but I also want to deck the block. figured if it's cheap enough would just have the machine shop do it.

we'll see what happens. everyplace is closed here today because we got 4" of snow, so i can't even get any quotes. :lol:

[Hillbilly]

Just get some 80 grit and sand at a angle.

[Hibs]

Why don't you just dingleberry it?

Martin

You think dingleberry or use the stones?

After getting some high quotes ($30/per cylinder just to hone) I'm going to do it myself.

[Hibs]

Looking at this ball hone...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-3-4-Engine-Cylinder-FlexHone-Flex-Hone-240-grit-hone_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem370155863226QQitemZ370155863226QQp tZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

discuss....

[Hibs]

the 2.3 being a 3.78" or 96mm standard bore.

[Coupelx]

i would use a regular bar hone. i have found out that a dingle berry hone tends to 'amplify' cylinder imperfections. but to each their own.