FlackBT
New member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Location
- Palm Coast, FL
- Vehicle Year
- 1986
- Vehicle
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.9L
Hi all, not new to the site but this is my first post. I thought that some of you might be interested in my 1986 Bronco II rebuild with a 2.3L, 8 plug 4 cylinder engine swap. I originally purchased the 86 Bronco II 4x4 in Florida for $650 (2012). The original 2.9L V6 had over 135k miles and I definitely wanted to put in a rebuilt engine because the Bronco II was in excellent shape. Absolutely no rust, original non-cracked dash, original cloth seats and a very clean interior. This car was garaged in Florida for over 22 years and it showed. The problem with the Bronco II was the owner let his teenage kid use it and there were a lot of dents in the hood, fenders and doors (easily fixable and again - no rust).
I then set out researching the Bronco II Corral & Ranger Forum on how I could install a rebuilt 2.3L 4 cylinder Lima engine in my Bronco II. I have to admit that my research left me with little information on how to do the swap. There is a slight bias against 4 cylinder engine swaps for Bronco II’s on the forums. My other goal was to eliminate as mush of the electronic engine controls and make the swap old school and as simple as possible, hopefully gaining better fuel mileage without losing too much power.
As shown in the pictures, my installed engine is a rebuilt 1990’s 2.3L 4 cylinder 8 plug (originally EFI) Ranger engine that I converted to an Autolite 2100 carb., mechanical fuel pump, GM HEI 4 pin ignition and a ProComp distributor & coil. If you notice in the pictures, my “wiring harness” now consists of only 7 wires to the engine – very simple. This engine runs great, has much better fuel mileage than the original 2.9L V6 and has ample power for my Bronco II. By the seat of my pants, I believe that the 2.3L with the Autolite 2100 carb. has equal to or better power than the original 2.9L V6 (remember the 2.9L had over 135k miles on it and I reduced the engine/transmission weight by over 400 lbs.).
As a side note, the original transmission was an A4LD automatic but I decided to go with a simple 5 speed rebuilt M5OD manual transmission out of a Ranger 4x4. This combination works great (2.3L 4 cylinder carb. engine with a 5 speed manual M5OD) and I am very happy with my rebuilt Bronco II. It is simple, dependable, easy on gas and very easy to maintain in a wide open engine compartment.
Hope you like the pictures
I then set out researching the Bronco II Corral & Ranger Forum on how I could install a rebuilt 2.3L 4 cylinder Lima engine in my Bronco II. I have to admit that my research left me with little information on how to do the swap. There is a slight bias against 4 cylinder engine swaps for Bronco II’s on the forums. My other goal was to eliminate as mush of the electronic engine controls and make the swap old school and as simple as possible, hopefully gaining better fuel mileage without losing too much power.
As shown in the pictures, my installed engine is a rebuilt 1990’s 2.3L 4 cylinder 8 plug (originally EFI) Ranger engine that I converted to an Autolite 2100 carb., mechanical fuel pump, GM HEI 4 pin ignition and a ProComp distributor & coil. If you notice in the pictures, my “wiring harness” now consists of only 7 wires to the engine – very simple. This engine runs great, has much better fuel mileage than the original 2.9L V6 and has ample power for my Bronco II. By the seat of my pants, I believe that the 2.3L with the Autolite 2100 carb. has equal to or better power than the original 2.9L V6 (remember the 2.9L had over 135k miles on it and I reduced the engine/transmission weight by over 400 lbs.).
As a side note, the original transmission was an A4LD automatic but I decided to go with a simple 5 speed rebuilt M5OD manual transmission out of a Ranger 4x4. This combination works great (2.3L 4 cylinder carb. engine with a 5 speed manual M5OD) and I am very happy with my rebuilt Bronco II. It is simple, dependable, easy on gas and very easy to maintain in a wide open engine compartment.
Hope you like the pictures
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