I've got my flamesuit on already, does anyon have experience doing a smallblock chevy swap into a ranger?

or links, or any pics?

i'm tired of no power from my '87 2.3liter, and the truck is offroad only so i'm pulling the carbed 383/th400 rans from my old hotrod to drop into the ranger...i'm not afraid to use the sawzall liberally.

any tips/trics as well as flaming welcome!

 

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...&highlight=350
try that

 

I like the SBC, but I'd probably look for a small Ford to put in due to the stupid location of the distributor on the Chevy. I'm putting a SBC in my Model A and the distributor location is a pain on that too. On the plus side, they are cheap, there are tons of aftermarket parts, the power to weight ratio is good, and they tend to be pretty durable motors. If you don't mind modding the firewall and shoehorning the motor in, the SBC is not a bad choice. I think the 5.0 Ford would be easier though.

 

i see no reason to get flamed its an offroad truck they are supposed to be customized. i don't know anthing thing about it but im sure alot has to be done but post pics when ou are done

 

I like SBC alot better than the SBF I know how to work on like a 350 really well!

 

If i didn't already have the engine & trans sitting in a un-driven old hotrod on my sideyard, I would agree w/ a 302 swap or something along those lines. but the engine is sitting (hasn't been run for about 4 yrs.) I'd rather use the engine than let it rot.

fired it up on Saturday and it jumped to life way faster than I thought it would...just some gas, a bettery & a spray of starter fluid! even idled on it's own still :)

it's a 383 stroker w/ 400 tranny...should be fun!

 

NICE!!! I cant wait to see this!

 

Been there, done it TWICE so far..............

Here's a link to a sister site that asked me to do a write-up:
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...d.php?t=193375

You can also checkout the links within my sig also!

 

Yikes! Keeping the back end from wanting to pass you will be your main problem! Well, that and keeping tread on the back tires .

The three speed tranny would be okay for a street machine, which I assume is what you have in mind. The 400 is definitely stout enough for the weight of the Ranger. You may want to look for a 9" rearend eventually, though the 8.8 is actually pretty strong.

We expect pics of this build of course.

 

I can't wait til i drop in my 406 in my '71 chev stepside!

If I were to go carb'd in a ranger swap, i'd rather do a sbc, because i already know how to work on them....and can build for pretty cheap. Stupid distributer location? wtf? that's where it's supposed to be! Rather than in the front cocked to the side. lol.

 

Shoot, a th350 is stout enough..........depends on engine output and tire size.