Will a 86 head run good on a 89 block?

[Rangerrr86]

My original engine is a 2.3 , I have a 2.3 with the 8 spark plug . unknown year , I want to put my original head on the block to get my truck running again. Will it work? Thanks

 

[adsm08]

That should be fine, as long as you keep the original cams and such with the head. As I understand it the bottom end of the 2.3L Lima never changed much, but the cam journal sizes did change over the years, so the cams have to be matched to the head.

 

[Mikel89us]

Yes as long as you have the complete fuel system and intake, along with the proper wiring and distributor.

 

[Mark_88]

Just to clarify...you want to put the 89 block into your Ranger and use the 86 head?

If that is what you are doing...yes...it will work fine...as mentioned, you will need to install the distributor and all your current 86 intake et al so don't throw anything away until you've got it running and road tested.

 

[scotts90ranger]

That should be fine, as long as you keep the original cams and such with the head. As I understand it the bottom end of the 2.3L Lima never changed much, but the cam journal sizes did change over the years, so the cams have to be matched to the head.

On all the Lima engines in the Rangers the cams are interchangeable I believe, the main internal head change was in '94 I think when they went to a smaller diameter valve stem which changed the followers... I have a '89 Ranger cam in a '85 turbo head... The differences in the heads are in the combustion chamber after changing to dual plug and there's like 4 different intake manifold patterns...

 

[Mikel89us]

You are correct Scott that the cams are all interchangeable, from 74-01 the cam journals are the same. And contrary to popular belief, the roller cams are almost identical from 88-01 also. They changed the lifter position in 98 for the 2.5, and moved it closer to the center of the head for a higher rocker arm ratio. I think the valve stem change happened in 96 or 97, when they changed the oil pump location.

 

[Rangerrr86]

Thanks guys hopefully have it running tomorrow evening!!!!