Zergt
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2019
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Location
- Minnesota
- Vehicle Year
- 1990
- Make / Model
- Ranger
- Transmission
- Manual
Hey Guys,
I just got my 1990 Ford Ranger XLT a couple weeks ago and I love the truck but it is in poor condition. I replaced the cooling system and cleaned it out but my butt dyno is telling it it has about 70 horsepower when the oil pressure decides to be at a normal metric (usually its low on the gauge despite having oil). From what I have found these engines have issues with the oil pump and cam bearings, so i've concluded it can be a number of things that would be hard to troubleshoot without having the engine out. I have been looking over all the options for different engines and I was especially fond of the Taurus SHO swap and there is a rebuilt one in my area for 250 dollars, but I have the Mitsubishi FM146 4x4 transmission which is not compatible. That was a hard hit because I really wanted to have a high revving engine.
So I am at the point where I am certain that engine is coming out this summer and I am wondering without sacrificing 4x4 and swapping transmissions whats the best direction for a motor in this truck. There are rebuild kits for about 290 dollars that is pistons, bearings and gaskets. I have local junkyards where I can get a 4.0 for about 150 dollars (I would have to rebuild still). I just want a functioning truck with a decent engine. I am very rough on my vehicles and street drive them a little harder than I should. Should I rebuild my 2.9 or should I make the sacrifice to 2wd and SHO swap it. I have replaced my share of engines but i've never done a swap but I am confident with time and money I could get it done. Is it worth rebuilding the 2.9?
I just got my 1990 Ford Ranger XLT a couple weeks ago and I love the truck but it is in poor condition. I replaced the cooling system and cleaned it out but my butt dyno is telling it it has about 70 horsepower when the oil pressure decides to be at a normal metric (usually its low on the gauge despite having oil). From what I have found these engines have issues with the oil pump and cam bearings, so i've concluded it can be a number of things that would be hard to troubleshoot without having the engine out. I have been looking over all the options for different engines and I was especially fond of the Taurus SHO swap and there is a rebuilt one in my area for 250 dollars, but I have the Mitsubishi FM146 4x4 transmission which is not compatible. That was a hard hit because I really wanted to have a high revving engine.
So I am at the point where I am certain that engine is coming out this summer and I am wondering without sacrificing 4x4 and swapping transmissions whats the best direction for a motor in this truck. There are rebuild kits for about 290 dollars that is pistons, bearings and gaskets. I have local junkyards where I can get a 4.0 for about 150 dollars (I would have to rebuild still). I just want a functioning truck with a decent engine. I am very rough on my vehicles and street drive them a little harder than I should. Should I rebuild my 2.9 or should I make the sacrifice to 2wd and SHO swap it. I have replaced my share of engines but i've never done a swap but I am confident with time and money I could get it done. Is it worth rebuilding the 2.9?