Topic: Ranger to pinto

[Randy Holman]

Doing a swap in my 76 wagon. Currents has the 2.8 v6 and am going to be swapping it with a 2.8 out of a ranger. What changes or complications could I run into. I'm assuming not much sice it's pretty much the same engine.

[enzo]

Not having done that swap, I do know that the water pump and housing are different. The radiator inlet and outlet might be different.  There might a difference in alternator and/or power steering pump bracket mounts. Exhaust manifold angles also might be a bit different.  The Ranger had a bit more room for everything in the engine bay.  Oh, I read at RangerStation. com that there were two different distributors used.  I would use the early DuraSpark distributor, as it will match the Pinto wire harness. Go to their site for more info.  Everything else should be straight forward. 

[pinto_one]

Enzo is right on the timing cover and water pump, which are better , the water pump has a much bigger bearing , and a fan clutch that screws on, a big plus , also has the extra pulleys on the water pump, only the feedback carb had the different distributor , your exhaust manifolds will fit, the block is thicker and stronger, (hey it's going into a truck) and the cam bearings are larger, also a pluss, order a comp cam for that year ranger/bronco II , use the lower tube that comes with the ranger for the heater hose , it crosses under the crank pulley and not in the way of the A/C compressor,

[derekrichmond15@yahoo.com]

So if you just dump it in I'm thinking that the only  hard part will b the mounts good luck!:)

[pinto_one]

Engine mounts will swap over to the newer 2.8 block, and the 2.9 along with the early 4.0 , whatever transmission bolts to the 2.8 will bolt to the 2.9 and 4.0 also, same flywheel too,