Hoping to be swapping in a 302 engine into my '98 ranger 2wd in the next couple months. I've got the option to use either an '86 efi engine out of a ford bronco we are in the process of swapping another engine into. Its a rough running engine so it will need some work, also leaks oil at every gasket. It has the complete harness and computer with it. I also have the option of using a mid 70's 302 out of a low miles (60,000 miles) ford Granada. Its been pulled and sitting in a garage for a while. Either way I would need to do some work on them before I drop one in the ranger. Any thoughts on what the better option is for my swap? Looking to use a c4 transmission that comes with the granada.

 

Welcome to the forum

Fuel injection is always the better option, but.....................how tall is the Bronco intake, thats the usually problem with using a V8 from a full size truck, intake won't fit under the hood in a Ranger

So you may need to get an Explorer V8 intake??

AOD trans would be better than the C4 but a free C4 is better than buying an AOD, lol

The carb option, 70's 302, is fine, you can always change it to EFI down the road


On either engine you are better off using an HEI distributor setup, GM doesn't do alot "right", but the HEI system is something they did get right, lol
One wire to make it work.............two wires if you want a Tachometer
And super reliable

 

The efi intake is really tall from the bronco. I will have to look into the cost of a manifold from a v8 explorer. I'm naturally more drawn to the carbureted v8 from the granada as that's what we run on all our classic cars we have. Though a holley sniper or fitech unit on it after its a runner in the ranger would be a great upgrade. Though the factory efi intake from the explorer would look killer under the hood and perform so well.

 

One more question, who makes the 2wd 4cyl to v8 swap mounts for the 98 ranger? Advance adapters page says theirs is good for pre '97. Then I've seen the 4.0 to 5.0 mounts. I am sure there out there, just not finding them. Anyone know a company and part number? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

The 4cyl Rangers had a cross brace in engine bay for the drivers side motor mount since the engine wasn't wide enough to go frame rail to frame rail, I think that has to be removed, but not sure on 2WD

There are a few articles here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...versions.shtml

On V8 swaps into 1998 and up Rangers, with motor mount info