Natedog
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2007
- Messages
- 917
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 0
- Location
- CA
- Vehicle Year
- 87
- Make / Model
- Ranger
- Transmission
- Manual
About The 2.8L:
The 2.8L engine in the Ranger is the same design as the 2.8 V-6 used since 1974 in the Ford and Mercury Capri vehicles. This engine has quite a bit of performance parts available. The 2.8L's are known to burn oil and smoke when the get high mileage. They use a rubber valve seal that deteriorates and leaks oil into the cylinder. This can be fixed by pulling the valve covers off, removing the spark plug and filling the cylinder with compressed air (Need Special Fitting), and then removing the valve spring and replacing the seal (The Air Keeps The Valve From Dropping In To The Cylinder). This should be repeated for each valve and then the valve lash reset when complete. This is a cheap and easy repair.
Induction:
The 2.8L V-6 comes with a 2-bbl carburetor and manifold with a traditional round metal air filter container. Aftermarket intake manifolds have been available in the past (Still tracking this down) and may still be available as an upgrade. The air cleaner can be modified by adding another air intake and then routing intake hoses to a fresh air source providing a dual ram air effect. this of course should be accompanied by a K&N Air Filter. There are many 2-bbl air cleaners out there of different dimensions, and it's metal design allows for modifications for any type of set-up.
Performance Automotive Warehouse carries Offenhauser 4BBL Intake Manifold Part Number 0FF-6097-DP (part of Port-O-Sonic line). The ignition system must be changed to earlier vacuum advance unit (Dura-Spark II) eliminating the EEC-IV computer and pollution equipment. You can use the distributor, ignition module and coil from a 78 Pinto. The Offenhauser Intake does not have an EGR setup. This will not allow the A4LD tranny to shift correctly. More Offenhauser intake info HERE.
AK Miller (9236 Bermudez, Dept. TW, Pico Rivera, CA 906603, 562-949-2548) has a draw through twin turbo setup for the mustang that will also bolt onto the manifold of the 2.8 ranger.
You can also swap on fuel injection. Check out the 2.8 Fuel Injection page.
Also check out the Duraspark ignition conversion here. Using the Duraspark ignition, you can eliminated the computer, vacuum rail, vacuum reservoir, and all the wiring mess that goes along with that. Get the carburator that is on the 2.8 donor engine your Duraspark ignition comes from. The Ranger 2.8 has the most complicated carburater control system I've seen.
Camshafts:
Crane Cams offers several camshafts for this engine as well as custom grinds. They can be obtained by contacting either Jegs or Summit Racing.
Also check out Competition Cams.
CamCraft carries camshafts for Rangers.
Ignition:
Summit Racing offers a Crane and MSD coil and ignition. The Crane TFI PS-91 coil is Part# CRN-730-0391 and the Crane HI-6 Ignition is Part# CRN-6000-6420
The MSD Blaster TFI Coil is Part# MSD-8227 and the MSD-6T ignition is Part# MSD-6400.
Summit also carries Jacobs
You should upgrade to 8mm spark plug wires and will have to purchase a set of universal wires and cut them. Summit has a universal set Part# SUM-6825 (90 degrees) and Part# Sum-6826 (180 degrees).
Also check out the Duraspark ignition conversion here. Using the Duraspark ignition, you can eliminated the computer, vacuum rail, vacuum reservoir, and all the wiring mess that goes along with that. Get the carburator that is on the 2.8 donor engine your Duraspark ignition comes from. The Ranger 2.8 has the most complicated carburater control system I've seen.
Exhaust:
Hedman, Hooker, and Pacesetter manufacture headers for the 2.8L and Edelbrock offers a whole new system including exhaust manifold. Dynomax offers a cat-back system and can be purchased at Jegs under Part# 289-17464. Summit carries the Edelbrock exhaust manifold part# EDL-6846
Check Out Racer Walsh
Here is a list of parts listed on their website
OFFY 4 BBL / HOLLEY 390 CFM:
We recommend this manifold carb combination for street driving. A popular choice for the 2.8 Bronco/Ranger. It will perform well on a stock or modified engine. It is easy bolt-on horsepower that still gives good gas mileage. Bronco & Ranger require a special thermostat / water neck housing # 6278.
6110 4 BBL MANIFOLD 2.8
6239 390 CFM 4 BBL CARB
6278 THERMOSTAT HOUSING
2.6/2.8 V6 cams
Stage 1 cam gives a smooth idle and low and mid range power boost without sacrificing economy. Stage 2 cam is a street/competition grind. Higher lift and increased overlap give a rougher idle. Good midrange power increase. Specify engine year when ordering: '72-'83 had smaller cam journal size than later years.
6411 STAGE 1 CAM (260 DUR 425" LIFT)
6412 STAGE 2 CAM (264 DUR 448" LIFT)
6477 VALVE SPRING SET 2.6/2.8 V6
6449 RETAINER SET STEEL
6489 PUSHROD SET (STOCK REPLACEMENT)
6487 LIFTER SET (STOCK REPLACEMENT)
ENGINE GASKET SET 2.8:
OIL PUMP & BEARINGS 2.6/2.8:
Complete gasket set for the 2.8 engine.
Sorry, gasket set not available for 2.6.
Hi volume oil pump and Clevite bearings.
6592 ENGINE GASKET SET
1765C HI VOLUME OIL PUMP
6520 ROD BEARING SET V6
6528 MAIN BEARING SET V6
1570K ARP ROD BOLTS 2.6/2.8
FORGED PISTONS 2.8:
9-1 forged piston set for the 2800 V6 engine. We stock .030" overbore.
Priced per set of 6, includes wrist pins.
6498 FORGED PISTONS
6499 PISTON RINGS
METAL TIMING GEARS V6:
Metal timing gears are more duraable than the stock fiber type timing gears.
6548 TIMING GEARS V6
2600 vs 2800: The 2800 as used in later Capris, Mustang 2, Ranger and Bronco is basically the same engine with a better head (3 exhaust ports/pipes rather than 2), and larger bore. Rather than rebuild a 2600, we would just replace it with the 2800. They are dimensionally the same, and bolt right in. See our header page for Ranger, Bronco, and Mustang ll headers.
Known Problems:
The 2.8 is known for smoking. It uses a rubber valve seal on the stem that deteriorates and needs replaced. It's an easy and cheap fix. If you have access to compressed air you need to fill a cylinder with air to keep the valves from dropping in the cylinder and then remove the spring retainer, spring and valve seal. Slip on the new rubber seal, reinstall the springs and the retainer. It's that easy. Keep a Chiltons or Haynes manual on hand as a reference and check the valve lash when your done.
If you don't have compressed air available to keep the valves closed to change the seals. An old mechanics trick is to take a rope of about 1/4" diameter and feed it into the spark plug hole. Manually turn the engine until the piston pushes the rope up against the valves keeping them closed. Do not use the starter for this application. Turn the engine in the opposite direction to release the rope.
Miscellaneous:
Port your intake manifold and cylinder heads. The intake and heads don't line up diameter to diameter. Porting opens this up and allows better flow.
Consider adding good synthetic fluids to help reduce the friction on engine parts that rob horsepower. Also remember that adding bigger ring and pinions (From 3.73 To 4.10) will improve the Rangers acceleration. In the 60 and early 70's the first thing Detroit did in muscle cars was to change the ring and pinion (gear ratio) to improve it's acceleration. A typical family car had gears of say 2.73, where many muscle cars had 3.73, 4.10 to 4.56's. This carried in to the 1980's with cars like the Monte Carlo having 2.73's and a single exhaust and the Monte Carlo SS having 3.73's and dual exhaust.
The 2.8L engine in the Ranger is the same design as the 2.8 V-6 used since 1974 in the Ford and Mercury Capri vehicles. This engine has quite a bit of performance parts available. The 2.8L's are known to burn oil and smoke when the get high mileage. They use a rubber valve seal that deteriorates and leaks oil into the cylinder. This can be fixed by pulling the valve covers off, removing the spark plug and filling the cylinder with compressed air (Need Special Fitting), and then removing the valve spring and replacing the seal (The Air Keeps The Valve From Dropping In To The Cylinder). This should be repeated for each valve and then the valve lash reset when complete. This is a cheap and easy repair.
Induction:
The 2.8L V-6 comes with a 2-bbl carburetor and manifold with a traditional round metal air filter container. Aftermarket intake manifolds have been available in the past (Still tracking this down) and may still be available as an upgrade. The air cleaner can be modified by adding another air intake and then routing intake hoses to a fresh air source providing a dual ram air effect. this of course should be accompanied by a K&N Air Filter. There are many 2-bbl air cleaners out there of different dimensions, and it's metal design allows for modifications for any type of set-up.
Performance Automotive Warehouse carries Offenhauser 4BBL Intake Manifold Part Number 0FF-6097-DP (part of Port-O-Sonic line). The ignition system must be changed to earlier vacuum advance unit (Dura-Spark II) eliminating the EEC-IV computer and pollution equipment. You can use the distributor, ignition module and coil from a 78 Pinto. The Offenhauser Intake does not have an EGR setup. This will not allow the A4LD tranny to shift correctly. More Offenhauser intake info HERE.
AK Miller (9236 Bermudez, Dept. TW, Pico Rivera, CA 906603, 562-949-2548) has a draw through twin turbo setup for the mustang that will also bolt onto the manifold of the 2.8 ranger.
You can also swap on fuel injection. Check out the 2.8 Fuel Injection page.
Also check out the Duraspark ignition conversion here. Using the Duraspark ignition, you can eliminated the computer, vacuum rail, vacuum reservoir, and all the wiring mess that goes along with that. Get the carburator that is on the 2.8 donor engine your Duraspark ignition comes from. The Ranger 2.8 has the most complicated carburater control system I've seen.
Camshafts:
Crane Cams offers several camshafts for this engine as well as custom grinds. They can be obtained by contacting either Jegs or Summit Racing.
Also check out Competition Cams.
CamCraft carries camshafts for Rangers.
Ignition:
Summit Racing offers a Crane and MSD coil and ignition. The Crane TFI PS-91 coil is Part# CRN-730-0391 and the Crane HI-6 Ignition is Part# CRN-6000-6420
The MSD Blaster TFI Coil is Part# MSD-8227 and the MSD-6T ignition is Part# MSD-6400.
Summit also carries Jacobs
You should upgrade to 8mm spark plug wires and will have to purchase a set of universal wires and cut them. Summit has a universal set Part# SUM-6825 (90 degrees) and Part# Sum-6826 (180 degrees).
Also check out the Duraspark ignition conversion here. Using the Duraspark ignition, you can eliminated the computer, vacuum rail, vacuum reservoir, and all the wiring mess that goes along with that. Get the carburator that is on the 2.8 donor engine your Duraspark ignition comes from. The Ranger 2.8 has the most complicated carburater control system I've seen.
Exhaust:
Hedman, Hooker, and Pacesetter manufacture headers for the 2.8L and Edelbrock offers a whole new system including exhaust manifold. Dynomax offers a cat-back system and can be purchased at Jegs under Part# 289-17464. Summit carries the Edelbrock exhaust manifold part# EDL-6846
Check Out Racer Walsh
Here is a list of parts listed on their website
OFFY 4 BBL / HOLLEY 390 CFM:
We recommend this manifold carb combination for street driving. A popular choice for the 2.8 Bronco/Ranger. It will perform well on a stock or modified engine. It is easy bolt-on horsepower that still gives good gas mileage. Bronco & Ranger require a special thermostat / water neck housing # 6278.
6110 4 BBL MANIFOLD 2.8
6239 390 CFM 4 BBL CARB
6278 THERMOSTAT HOUSING
2.6/2.8 V6 cams
Stage 1 cam gives a smooth idle and low and mid range power boost without sacrificing economy. Stage 2 cam is a street/competition grind. Higher lift and increased overlap give a rougher idle. Good midrange power increase. Specify engine year when ordering: '72-'83 had smaller cam journal size than later years.
6411 STAGE 1 CAM (260 DUR 425" LIFT)
6412 STAGE 2 CAM (264 DUR 448" LIFT)
6477 VALVE SPRING SET 2.6/2.8 V6
6449 RETAINER SET STEEL
6489 PUSHROD SET (STOCK REPLACEMENT)
6487 LIFTER SET (STOCK REPLACEMENT)
ENGINE GASKET SET 2.8:
OIL PUMP & BEARINGS 2.6/2.8:
Complete gasket set for the 2.8 engine.
Sorry, gasket set not available for 2.6.
Hi volume oil pump and Clevite bearings.
6592 ENGINE GASKET SET
1765C HI VOLUME OIL PUMP
6520 ROD BEARING SET V6
6528 MAIN BEARING SET V6
1570K ARP ROD BOLTS 2.6/2.8
FORGED PISTONS 2.8:
9-1 forged piston set for the 2800 V6 engine. We stock .030" overbore.
Priced per set of 6, includes wrist pins.
6498 FORGED PISTONS
6499 PISTON RINGS
METAL TIMING GEARS V6:
Metal timing gears are more duraable than the stock fiber type timing gears.
6548 TIMING GEARS V6
2600 vs 2800: The 2800 as used in later Capris, Mustang 2, Ranger and Bronco is basically the same engine with a better head (3 exhaust ports/pipes rather than 2), and larger bore. Rather than rebuild a 2600, we would just replace it with the 2800. They are dimensionally the same, and bolt right in. See our header page for Ranger, Bronco, and Mustang ll headers.
Known Problems:
The 2.8 is known for smoking. It uses a rubber valve seal on the stem that deteriorates and needs replaced. It's an easy and cheap fix. If you have access to compressed air you need to fill a cylinder with air to keep the valves from dropping in the cylinder and then remove the spring retainer, spring and valve seal. Slip on the new rubber seal, reinstall the springs and the retainer. It's that easy. Keep a Chiltons or Haynes manual on hand as a reference and check the valve lash when your done.
If you don't have compressed air available to keep the valves closed to change the seals. An old mechanics trick is to take a rope of about 1/4" diameter and feed it into the spark plug hole. Manually turn the engine until the piston pushes the rope up against the valves keeping them closed. Do not use the starter for this application. Turn the engine in the opposite direction to release the rope.
Miscellaneous:
Port your intake manifold and cylinder heads. The intake and heads don't line up diameter to diameter. Porting opens this up and allows better flow.
Consider adding good synthetic fluids to help reduce the friction on engine parts that rob horsepower. Also remember that adding bigger ring and pinions (From 3.73 To 4.10) will improve the Rangers acceleration. In the 60 and early 70's the first thing Detroit did in muscle cars was to change the ring and pinion (gear ratio) to improve it's acceleration. A typical family car had gears of say 2.73, where many muscle cars had 3.73, 4.10 to 4.56's. This carried in to the 1980's with cars like the Monte Carlo having 2.73's and a single exhaust and the Monte Carlo SS having 3.73's and dual exhaust.