Alright..so here I am, my 89's been sittin in the garage for over a year with a broken driveshaft and a crapped head or two. My plan? to do everything possible to the 2.9, including those things from "How To Build & Modify...". The problem? funding..and a partially outdated material.
Now, I am not here to whine and beg for money ...this isn't the place (I may actually pursue some manufacturers for sponsorships but I don't know if I want to or even can go this route)
So how does this relate to the thread?
Despite a lack o money, I've been trying to lay out the plans for the truck and more aptly the engine and research everything I can, taking notes as I go, which has brought me to the conclusion that many of the base concepts in Sven Pruett's book are, I am certain, still valid, but the parts and companies need some serious updating.
Examples?
Camcraft now offers powermax heads (at almost $1200 a pop) which are based on world heads redesign...how would these effect the changes suggested?
There is also an outfit called Clearwater Cylinder Head company which offeres an improved head for the 2.9 at around $190...same question.
Vanir Technologies...good luck finding that one anymore, or R J Max either
not to mention that while Jesel is still certainly around, finding rocker parts from them is unlikely
and the part numbers for I believe Crane Cams (valve springs and retainers) no longer exist, though I think the part number for locks is still valid.
The rocker arm conversion kits listed in the book are available I think through Camcraft now, though they didn't show the chromoly arm ...
As stated, I'm going through the book one step at a time, and trying to update it, but it looks like I am going to have to make a few phone calls (like to Crane) to see if any of the parts are still available under different numbers and to try and get more specific specs on the new heads offered such as the valve sizes on them to begin with (the Camcrafts claim something like a 18% increase in flow...how is this achieved?)
The other thing to all these previous parts, are there perhaps newer materials or alloys or variations which might actually be better?
I believe the valve guides..you still gotta go with manganese bronze, but what about the valves...Manley has another alloy now that may actually be better than those listed in the book...and does Manley make the sizes suggested in the book still? or will they have to be custom ordered..and can someone decipher for the average Joe all the different angles and measurements show on Manley's site.
Next, what about other things we've picked up along the way that aren't in the book...such as this one: I've come to understand there's a walbro pump that drops right in ...
and what about those guys that have done turbos...they did something with flipping the exhaust manifolds to set up their turbos...
Last but not least..what about the rare possibilities for bolt on swap parts...
example: has anyone actually gotten a hold of the dual throttle body from a Scorpio and tried it? (I've been looking for one on Ebay but havent found one yet)
My final word...I think in this day and age with gas prices where they are, the performance V6 is looking better and better to a v8 swap, and since the Ranger may indeed soon be a thing of the past, NOW is the time to get on the ball...to all you guys and gals out there who prefer just to swap out to something bigger? that's great...but please don't question those of us who like the idea of working with the original...it's kind of like a numbers matching 1969 Camaro...(if you can't understand that, then maybe you wouldnt understand this). Maybe the Ranger isn't a camaro, but it's the idea of taking the original to it's limit and maybe even beyond that is appealing to us die hards...
anyone can just drop something else in to get the most amount of power overall, and I respect and appreciate that...but why can't we also appreciate the enginuity to take the 2.9 to it's fullest possible potential...I guess what I am saying here is...let's get support to update these tech pages...all the way around.