Ranger 2.3 in Model A

[Neisman]

I am electronically challenged so can anybody tell me how to make a 1992 Ford Ranger 2.3 Liter engine run in my model A?

 

[rotorwrench]

The Lima 4-bangers had fuel injection and I believe dual spark electronic ignition was at least available. All this electronic stuff requires some form of computers and ignition modules. A person would have to first get an accurate electrical diagram for the 1992 Ranger with the Lima 2.3 in order to see all he necessary connections. These systems require sensors for various functions and they may be on components other than the engine but none the less, they need all related sensors to make it function correctly. This was pre-OBD II compliance so a test port for diagnostics would likely have to go along with this set up.

The older Ford Courier/Mazda Lima 2.3 with a carburetor and a distributor would be a lot easier to work with. I'm a model A enthusiast that prefers the original simplicity of the original flathead 4 engine. Shay made 2.3 powered model A replica cars for a while but I don't see too many of those around anymore.

 

[Charlie Stephens]

I am not sure I understand your question. Is the engine in the car or do you want to put one in? If not I would suggest a 153 inch GM engine or a 181 GM industrial engine. My first suggesting would be to keep it original. Attached is a picture of a 181 industrial engine with 153 manifolds.

Charlie Stephens

 

[ModelA29]

You'll need to rob the Engine Control Unit and all the wiring, sensors, etc out of the donor too. There are some junkyards that will sell an engine and modified wiring and ECU for stand along operation - newer ECUs read things like speed, steering angle brake use etc when figuring how how much fuel the engine needs.
If I was going to go the the trouble of putting a late model electronic 4 cylinder in an A I would choose the 315 hp Ecoboost from a late Mustang. Now that would be fun.
Just checked. The Ranger is a Lima engine. Just backdate it with 70s Pinto intake, carb, distributor, etc.
The 1992 Ford Ranger's 4-cylinder engine family is the "Lima" engine family, specifically the 2.3L SOHC inline-four that was the base engine for that year. This engine family is known for its cast-iron block and cylinder head and was used in various Ford vehicles from the 1970s to the late 1990s.

 

[Bruce of MN]

That engine is used in a dirt oval track class around here, so there are speed parts for them.

 

[nkaminar]

A29 in Post #4 mentioned a modified ECU. There are companies who will sell you a tuner and a file to modify ECU's. For application in a Model A you will not need all the sensors such as the emission related sensors, so the ECU could be modified to eliminate them.