1986 ford ranger 2wd 2.0l 4cyl 5 spd I need help finding what engine would best fit

 

1983 to 1988 2.3l will work, same motor mounts and 2.3l will bolt to the 2.0l transmission, and has distributor setup as will
2.0l and 2.3l in those years used the same head so exhaust manifold and intake manifold can be swapped

 

No, I don't have a vacuum diagram for the older Rangers

There are some older ones here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...hose-diagrams/

If you are having trouble starting any engine try add fuel manually first, with a carb this is easy, Quick Start(ether), or fresh gasoline
Also with a carb make sure the Choke Plate is closing when trying to start cold engine

Called 50/50 test
Add fuel try to start
If it fires then spark and compression are OK, you have old fuel, water in the fuel, or lack of fuel in the carb
If it doesn't fire then weak or no spark, or low/no compression
50/50 instant results