new idea

[1982 flareside]

My stepdad just bought a 1986 ranger 4x4 with 2.9 german engine (bad heads) and 5 speed for the other ranger we have. Well i was looking at it and thought scarping this 4x4 is stupid so i first thought new heads and different trans and farm truck but that cost to much for no power. It cost $300 for heads then another for the trans. Then 302 but everybody does that so no. Then 300 with a 4 speed it sounds good then i passed my 72 with the 390 Fe and i thought a challenge and a nobody has a ranger with a 390. I am going to measure some things and yes i know reforcing is the name of the game the frame will be boxed in and welded a lot. i just wanted to see wat you all think and problems i will most likely face. Oh this going to be a mud truck.

[OldRedFord]

My vote is the 390, if people can get a 460 in, you can get a 390 in.

[rjewkes]

You may well hsve to build a dog house in the middle of the ranger to fit it all in kinda like the old vans. I have seen 350 Chevies horned into a lot smaller like a luv or any pre 90's datsun/nissan/isuzu.

[fordman]

put a v6 in it. dont waste your time doing something like this. there will be too many problems down the road to deal with. the first being room for the enigne and trasnmission then mounts for the combo. exhaust might be ok to deal with. after you cut the core support out to fit the engine in you wont be able to mount a large enough radiator in there. and then yo ucoem to speedometer issues and more that i probably havent thought of yet.

[rjewkes]

find a wrecked T-bird/cougar super coope Turbo charged v6 from the late 80's to mid nineties the 3.8L/3.8L TC/SC EFi's make good little runners with plenty of power and great mileage, i get around 18.9-22.5 depending on my foot and road conditions. and i'll bet a 4x4 trans will mount to it too.

[1982 flareside]

ok today measured the engine compartment it will fit inner fender have to be gone and rear sump oil pan but other than that look ok the engine that is in it is going out and 390 going in.

[papabug71]

I have a 85 Bronco II waiting for me right now. I have gathered alot of info for the smallblock swap & all I can say is, good luck with the 390. The guys that do the 460 swaps have to do extensive frame modifications to fit the 385 series engines in them. Most of the Ranger/Bronco II's with 460's I have seen personally are tube chassis.

You could build a snotty 302/347 for it & have half the money & time invested in it

[Ranchero50]

Farse... Time and money can build anything but...

390 may fit, but what about a C6 and transfer case ? I think it's going to be too long.

Personally I'd source an early explorer with a decent 4.0 and swap that in. Did it for my brother a couple years ago and it went very smoothly.

Jamie

[Redcap]

You can polish a turd, but it is still a turd.