Ford Ranger 4 cylinder

I'm looking for a pickup for my teenage son. I found a really nice looking 1999 4 cylinder Ranger with a fried engine (or the owner says its fried). Going on the worst case I am assuming I'll have to replace the engine which would be good for my son to have some sweat equity in his own vehicle.

Besides the Ranger what other Ford (or Mazda) used the 2.5 4 cylinder engine that could be swapped into a Ranger?
 
I think the Escape (and Mazda equivalent) was about the only other one that used the 2.5L. Not 100% sure on that, though. The 2.3L had wider usage, and should fit as well.
 
That's kind of what I'm thinking and have learned so far. It appears I could use a 1993-2001 2.3L 4 cylinder(from other Rangers) if I swap the intake between the two.
 
Is there a quick way to tell if the timing belt is broke? Can you reach in behind the plastic cover with your finger and feel the belt?
 
IIRC the later Rangers used an 8 spark plug plug head with coil packs and by '99 They weren't using the 4 cylinder Lima engine in cars (from '95 on Mustangs started with 6 cylinders) so your'e pretty much looking for a Ranger or Mazda B2300/B2500 engine but they should be plentiful. Don't know how adventurous you want to be on this project as with all the electronics it isn't as easy to swap unlike engines as it was before. If the price is good on the truck it might be worth checking out. If it jumped time they aren't an interference engine so a new rubber band may get you going. Fried could mean a head gasket, again if you're willing to do the labor it's a cheap fix.
 
(quoted from post at 08:37:22 08/22/14) I'm looking for a pickup for my teenage son. I found a really nice looking 1999 4 cylinder Ranger with a fried engine (or the owner says its fried). Going on the worst case I am assuming I'll have to replace the engine which would be good for my son to have some sweat equity in his own vehicle.

Besides the Ranger what other Ford (or Mazda) used the 2.5 4 cylinder engine that could be swapped into a Ranger?

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If you get a replacement engine and it's not from a Ranger or different size, I think you need the computer that goes with it.
 
Been told the components from a V8 Explorer will drop right down in there. You would obviously need the harness and related components from the Ex to do the swap.
 
Easy engine to work on. My 94 with 2.3L is still going strong at 250K.

As said they are not interference engines and you can pop the timing cover loose to feel for the belt. It is just two pieces of plastic that snap together.

It would be an easy swap, and there are literally thousands upon thousands out there in scrap yards. Engine mount would be close if not a direct fit.

Rebuild kits for both the 2.3L and 2.5L can be had for around $500 hundred depending on how much OE stuff you are going to save.

I wouldn't make a mountain out of a mole hill until you determine the definition of the word "FRIED".

Depending on how wild you want to get...302's are a very common swap. If you get a carbed motor all you need are motor mounts. Heck there is a kit to put a 460 in a ranger!!!
 
Most you can look in the oil fill hole, see if the cam is turning. If it will crank over, listen for compression resistance on the starter. If it spins like the plugs are out, it's not turning.
 
I can't imagine there would be any shortage of 2.3L Ranger engines out there... If there is it's only because they crush them all because there's so many around..
What I'd want to do is make sure the frame of the truck is worthy of any time spent on it. They're well known to break at the cross member around the gas tank. Inspect it closely.. beyond that I'd think any salvage yard would have a 2.3 Ranger mill.

Rod
 
That 2.3 engine is the Lima engine. Should have 8 spark plugs - 2 for each cylinder. Also is distributorless - uses 2 coil packs. Same engine was used in some Mustangs. There was not to my knowledge a 2.5 Lima engine with 4 cylinders. The 2.5 used in the Escape is a V-6. That same V-6 was also used in Contour/Mystique cars as well as the "Mitsubishi" cougars.
Best advice is to DIAGNOSE first. See if you REALLY need an engine replacement. Those engines in that vintage are quite robust. Otherwise, there should be a decent supply of used ones out of wrecks around. Shouldn't be too expensive either. Not a real big seller on the second hand circuit. Same thing with the Vulcan 3.0. Durn things want to run just about forever.
 
Brian, I believe if you double check, you will find that the 2.3 was available until at least 1993. My daughter had a 93 Fox bodied Mustang with a 2.3 in it.
 
I would be looking for a late 80's turbo coupe 5 speed donor car and swap the whole drive line in. They where a 2.3 turbo. It might not be suitable for a newer driver but it would be one heck of a fun truck.

I wish I had thought of that when I had the 89 turbo coupe sitting in my driveway a few years ago. I ended up scrapping it because the body was rotted away.
 
Turbo coupe swap is a waste of time, friend of mine did it
in about '95. He brought it to me to test drive. I stopped
on a hill so I could make sure the p-brake was not
dragging. Yeah, it was that bad.
 
The 2.5 was only used for a few years before they went back to the humble 2.3 in the last generation. It should be a VERY available engine. Around here at least... every third vehicle on the road is a Ranger and a great many had the small tires and the 2.3..... You can't kill the damn things.

Rod
 

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