2.3L Ford into 1971 Single cab

[itlives]

Starting anew thread to continue where metropoj left off.
I bought his conversion stuff and found a 1985 Ford Ranger 2.3L. The guy said it was running good and he was using the truck chassis for another project. I'm going to take him at his word and not rebuild it.
The plan as it stands will be to put the rad between the frame rails. I have the Mexican grill but don't want to cut the front. The Mexi grill may be for sale later if the cooling works good under the truck.

I got a 091 trans a couple of weeks ago and finally had some time to play today. I got the adapter plate out and mated it up to the block and tranny. Had a little trouble getting the flywheel bolts started but they went after a littlr rat tail filing of the bolt holes. Everythings dirty right now but I still have some pics. I will take pics as I go.

Still got a bunch of measuring and plannning to do so if anyone has done anything remotely similar to this. I would appreciate any help!

This truck has a type1 engine in it- so no trans mount at the engine. Is that going to be a problem?
Fastmc is a good local friend and has kindly offered his help which will be more like me helping him. I want to do everything I can to get ready for the actual conversion.

I don't know what kind of adapter plate (have to go back and read metropoj's thread) it is, but it says
"Pinto-Bean" on it.
I've got a long way to go but I will keep this thread updated.

So, this is the start- Here's the truck and the reason I want to have more HP.

Here's a couple of pics of the new power plant and adapter and trans-

[itlives]

I also have an original AC frame for the radiator. I'll use the louvered part for the bottom but make another top part to accommodate a bigger low profile fan. Fastmc said he got a 17" fan behind his rad. I'll look for something similar. (Probably be in the "Pull-it" place a lot).

[itlives]

Today I went to the local U-Auto Pull-it and found a Mercedes radiator that I'm sure will work. It's only $28 with a 30 day return policy. I'm going back out there in the morning with a tape measure. If it will fit, it's mine!! Mwahaaaahaaa!
The fans are an extra $14. As far as I can tell from the research I did, it's a 3-core aluminum rad.
Things are looking good!

[itlives]

I got the radiator and it pressure checked fine. It measures about 22 1/2" X 27". The two fans came from a 190 E class they are 11". I think they'll work great. Total price - $64 (that's the part I like!)
The radiator was cooling an 8 cylinder so it should do fine for the 4 banger.

[itlives]

I got some more playing in today.
I mounted the fans to the radiator with four "L" brackets welded to angle iron. This picture shows one side on (I cut off the extra length). It holds the fans up off the radiator about 1/8". I don't think it'll be a problem.

Here's where it will go.

These two shots show the inlet/outlet 90 degree bends touching the underside. Unless I can get a lower profile bend that won't impede water flow, this is as high as I can go in the rear.

The small hose goes to the fill tank.

This shows from the front on the drivers side. You can see the top of the fan has plenty of room.

I still have to box it in. I think I can get that done tomorrow and drill the holes for the metal pipe. I was looking at the Ford engine and both water lines are on the same side as the exhaust. I guess if I run the pipes far enough away, it won't be a problem. Or, I may put a heat shield in. All in all, a good days progress!

[itlives]

After working/wasting a day, I decided that what I did looks just a little worse than hammered dog $h!+.

But, I called my local parts guy and he has another AC condenser cover that I can use. I will cut it and weld it to make the bottom completely louvered. Then, I'll just have to make the sides, maybe I can do that fairly fair. Here's what I wasted a day on. If I kept it as is, I'd still have to drill a bunch of holes for air flow.

Here, you can see how much larger the radiator is than the louvered cover.

Here is the worst side. Besides being ugly, it's flimsy. I want something I can hold with one hand and put a screw in with the other. This is like trying to push a chain.

So, I'll get other louvered cover this week and put a little work in during the week. Despite not getting done what I wanted. I still moved forward, and that's the game.

[56SemaRag]

I have seen some slick setups where they put the radiators on a slight tilt, where the front was slightly lower than the rear and basically acted as a scoop. Air was directed to the radiators and puller fans allowed decent airflow away from the vehicle.

[itlives]

I have seen some slick setups where they put the radiators on a slight tilt, where the front was slightly lower than the rear and basically acted as a scoop. Air was directed to the radiators and puller fans allowed decent airflow away from the vehicle.

That's how mine is going to be. I'm still trying to get it boxed in.
Today, I got another AC condenser cover and welded the two together. Now it's too long but I think I will leave it as is and close off the louvers I don't need. That way, if I ever need or want a larger radiator it will fit. I like how it's looking now!
I also got the screen off a 914 Porsche deck lid. It will be the debris screen. It's pretty heavy duty and should let enough air through. Don't have a picture of it yet.
Finally, some headway!
Here's some more pics

[itlives]

3/3/12-
Back at it. I had a good day today. Perfect weather for working outdoors! I got the cover painted. I put the radiator back on it and put the whole thing in place. Went down to Lowe's and got a metal hole saw. Got the holes cut in the frame for the water pipes. I'm going to look for some aluminum pipe next week. I got the boxing in of the sides going my way. Here's some pics-
I had a big enough piece of metal to cove the whole passenger side (still need to make the corner pieces on both sides).

I used two smaller pieces for the drivers side.- this shows only one piece

The cover-

The holes for the pipes- hard to see the rest because it's all black now

[itlives]

3/4/12-

I got the radiator box finished and ready to install. I got a engine screen cover off a 914 Porsche I'm going to use for a rock block. I still need to make some metal pipes that will come off the elbow off the rad.
Fastmc says we need to run a metal bead around the edge so it won't blow off. Makes sense to me- besides, he has way more experience than me so I defer to him
Here's today's pics-
First, the rock block. I'll need to cut it up- no problem!

Closer pic of it-

The complete set-up. I still need to block off the louvers behind the radiator so air won't go down there. The air will go the path of least resistance so you have to make it go through where you want it.

[itlives]

3/6/12

I got the new organ for the transplant today. It will be carbed not EFI and not turbo'd. The simpler the better for me.


Brand new head! It doesn't look like the cam is even broken in. The bottom end is another story. Only, it's a story I don't know. The owner said it looked ok but he's never cranked the engine. May have to take the head off and have a look-see.


The adapter plate fits!!


Quite a difference in the intakes. One is the 2.0 Ranger, the other, 2.3 Mustang Turbo. Hope I can use the good one.
have to do more research.

[itlives]

After some research and a lot of help over a www.therangerstation.com , I found an intake that will work with my Holley 5200 or the piece of crap Empi (Weber) 32/36. It's an Offenhauser 6222C.
Sorry no pic available.
I've got a bit of work to do on the engine to make sure I don't have to pull it right back out after install.
1) Got to make sure the pistons are correct for naturally aspirated engine, not turbo (lower compression).
2) That means at least a freshening up of the block even if no machining is necessary (I hope not).

I took the head off and it is just a rebuilt head not a new one. Looks real good to me anyway.

[kansasmadmax]

Any updates i'm doing a 86 2.3 2bbl. Holley conversion in my baja.Most of my parts came out of a sand rail with the 2.0.

[itlives]

After more research and even MORE help from the guys over at www.therangerstation. com I've found out the Offenhauser intake is not good for my application. Also the lower intake from the turbo is not good unless over 3500 RPM (they like to race).
So, that leaves the stock 2-barrel or an OMC (Outboard Marine Company) intake. I mention this because I know there's a lot 2.3L Ford people out there. They are hard to find but work great.
I'll have more pics of the engine coming together.
Also, I'm going to cut the bed and build a box so I can easily change the oil and adjust the carb.Not only that but I think the carb will rub the bottom of the bed if I don't.

The block is at the machine shop so everything is coming together. I didn't want this project to last any longer than late spring.

[kansasmadmax]

Yea i like the 2bbl. setup since i'm not gonna drag or road race my Baja.It's simple and easy to adjust or rebuild.