Pretty much speaks for itself. My Mazda B2300 w/ the 2.3 Durtec / Mazda L engine and a 5-spd manual gave up the ghost at just under 300K mi. Everything else on the truck works great, including the transmission. I use this truck for work and don't want to get rid of it. It's not rusty and isn't nickeling and dimeing me. Just.....you know.....it needs a new engine now.

I figure to rebuild/fix the issue will cost as much as a "new" used one. But I don't know where to go. Facebook Marketplace has merchants who sell used engines. But I don't know anything about them.

I don't want to do any exotic swaps. Just put in a stock 2.3 Duratec and get on my way - though I do NOT want the intake to have those stupid swirl butterfly valves. My 2.3 sounded like a typewriter just before it died because of them.

Does anyone have a lead on a reputable engine merchant? I'm in the Mid-Atlantic region, located in Philadelphia. Any leads would help. Thanks.

 

Assuming a 2001-2003 B2300, Ranger 2.3l

These years had IMRC, "those stupid swirl butterfly" things
AND a heated thermostat
2001-2003 Computer will want to see both of these working, that doesn't mean you have to have them just means computer needs to "think" you have them or the Check Engine Light(CEL) will come on and stay on

Some info on that here: Removing Intake Manifold Runner on Early Duratec - Ford Ranger Forum
IMRC acts like a mini-turbo to reflect back pressure waves that occur when intake valves close, but works much better on paper than in real life, lol, so Ford dropped it in 2004 and up 2.3l Duratecs

Heated thermostat can be deleted and a resistor added, so computer "thinks" its still there


Will you be pulling and reinstalling the engine?

If you buy a new/rebuilt engine you need to ask if warranty will be void if its not installed by a shop, because if there is a problem they may "walk away", legally, if its "self installed"
When finger pointing starts you want to make sure you are covered, lol

I would first check with local machine shops to see the local price of a rebuild, so you at least have a baseline price
Shipping engines cost a bit, they are heavy
And YOU often have to pay return shipping if there is a Core charge(they want your current engine back to rebuild it)

If you are going to pay a shop to pull and reinstall then get the new/rebuilt engine from them, any extra cost will be worth every penny IF............there is a problem, no finger pointing possible if shop provided all labor AND parts

 

Yeah. It's a 2003 Model. Didn't know about the heated thermostat. Was that a problem part for that year's engine? Does it really need to be removed?

No. I don't have time. So I'll send it to a shop. Which means if I do delete those 1 or 2 pieces, I need to make sure the tech understands how to do the bypasses so the computer doesn't have a freakout over the missing components.

I think I found a dealer out of RI who has warehouses of engines all over the country. They have a 6 month warranty on their engines - which I like. Rebuilt 2.3 with 100K mi for $950 and $125 to ship the engine - it all seems reasonable. But I didn't ask about a core charge. Thanks. I need to do that.