What motor to run?

The 289/302 route would be a good bet. Aside from the SBC, its probably the next most affordable small block to build. There really isn't that big of a difference, people just make it seem bigger. Depending on who you buy from, you can build them for similar costs, or outrageously larger costs. Probably wouldn't be a hard swap, parts are easy to come by, and it would have a lot of power.

If I had a Ranger (and I seriously consider a squarebody every time I see one) I would love to run an early I6. Like the 215 or 223. Edelbrock makes lots of parts for them (head, intake, dress up), you can run dual carb manifolds, a nice cam and a new head and reportedly pull 30MPG in a light vehicle.

we had a customer that had a square body ranger with a diesel in it factory. think he said it my have been made by mazda. which wouldnt be too far fetched since they cross breed alot

This is pretty out there but what do you guys think about old flat heads? I really don't know diddly about them other than the fact they look cool as hell. Wow, I'm pathetic when it comes to motors

You could pick up a flathead with a factory supercharger, but get an aftermarket rebuilt one to go on it. The factory one had to be oiled and had leaky seals in it. Never seen how they are for mileage, wasn't really a concern then.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hdrp_0511_ford_flathead_engine/index.html

heres some reading material for ya

Originally posted by msturg



This is pretty out there but what do you guys think about old flat heads? I really don't know diddly about them other than the fact they look cool as hell. Wow, I'm pathetic when it comes to motors

They are a bit expensive to build, and don't make THAT much power, but they are cool. Also Ford V8s had a lot of cooling issues. You may overcome it with a bigass radiator.

Flat heads are cool period.

the factory ford diesals in the ranger were made by mitsubishi, and a turbo diesal was an option to.

seth, they make just as much crap for the 2.0/2.3 as they do for the I6 adn you can prob get better MPG out of em. dont get a sqaure ranger till i finish mine

I doubt I will actually ever get one, too many projects as it is.

I don't know much about the Ranger 4 bangers, so I didn't know they made much for them. I just know the I6 because I have one, and I've looked into parts for them.

dont know if anyone put up the difference in a 22r and a 22re but one is efi and other is carbed. and if you want something different try geting a turbo solstice engine. it is good on gas, rwd, and you can make 500hp out of it just by putting a bigger turbo and injectors. i've seen it done and you never have to pull the head or valve cover off. i work at an auto shop as a mechanic and we build race cars and shit and we've done it to one.

do a 22r. its the cheapest motor to rebuild to stock. i just had mine done for 1200 with valve job, pressure test, and machining the head. thats full bore, balance, turn flywheel, that type of stuff. its literally brand new.

power? both r's and re's have numerous power add ons........but its a pretty penny for anything more than a cam/carb/intake combo. then again...thats a decent bit of bolt on power. lucky gets like 30+ mpg with AC on, on the highway. city cant be less than 24. and its rwd

a 300 6 banger would be cool too.