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Updating the 2.9L Tech Page - Suggestions Needed


Jim Oaks

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I want to update the 2.9 Page in the Technical Library in the coming month(s).

The page is a few years old and I'm not sure how accurate the info is anymore. If you have ANY suggestions as to what should be added, changed or deleted from the page, please post them here. This includes part numbers, names of manufacturers, links, custom modifications, know problems or even cheap tricks.

Thanks.
 


holyford86

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What works and doesn't work to get power out of a 2.9
 

rusty ol ranger

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As the one with prolly more years experince with one 2.9 then anyone else here....i can safely say pretty much any known problems have been figured out already.

As far as power tricks....timing advance does work....but you have to run 89.

later,
Dustin
 

RangerAx

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Alright..so here I am, my 89's been sittin in the garage for over a year with a broken driveshaft and a crapped head or two. My plan? to do everything possible to the 2.9, including those things from "How To Build & Modify...". The problem? funding..and a partially outdated material.
Now, I am not here to whine and beg for money ...this isn't the place (I may actually pursue some manufacturers for sponsorships but I don't know if I want to or even can go this route)
So how does this relate to the thread?
Despite a lack o money, I've been trying to lay out the plans for the truck and more aptly the engine and research everything I can, taking notes as I go, which has brought me to the conclusion that many of the base concepts in Sven Pruett's book are, I am certain, still valid, but the parts and companies need some serious updating.
Examples?
Camcraft now offers powermax heads (at almost $1200 a pop) which are based on world heads redesign...how would these effect the changes suggested?
There is also an outfit called Clearwater Cylinder Head company which offeres an improved head for the 2.9 at around $190...same question.
Vanir Technologies...good luck finding that one anymore, or R J Max either
not to mention that while Jesel is still certainly around, finding rocker parts from them is unlikely
and the part numbers for I believe Crane Cams (valve springs and retainers) no longer exist, though I think the part number for locks is still valid.
The rocker arm conversion kits listed in the book are available I think through Camcraft now, though they didn't show the chromoly arm ...
As stated, I'm going through the book one step at a time, and trying to update it, but it looks like I am going to have to make a few phone calls (like to Crane) to see if any of the parts are still available under different numbers and to try and get more specific specs on the new heads offered such as the valve sizes on them to begin with (the Camcrafts claim something like a 18% increase in flow...how is this achieved?)
The other thing to all these previous parts, are there perhaps newer materials or alloys or variations which might actually be better?
I believe the valve guides..you still gotta go with manganese bronze, but what about the valves...Manley has another alloy now that may actually be better than those listed in the book...and does Manley make the sizes suggested in the book still? or will they have to be custom ordered..and can someone decipher for the average Joe all the different angles and measurements show on Manley's site.
Next, what about other things we've picked up along the way that aren't in the book...such as this one: I've come to understand there's a walbro pump that drops right in ...
and what about those guys that have done turbos...they did something with flipping the exhaust manifolds to set up their turbos...
Last but not least..what about the rare possibilities for bolt on swap parts...
example: has anyone actually gotten a hold of the dual throttle body from a Scorpio and tried it? (I've been looking for one on Ebay but havent found one yet)

My final word...I think in this day and age with gas prices where they are, the performance V6 is looking better and better to a v8 swap, and since the Ranger may indeed soon be a thing of the past, NOW is the time to get on the ball...to all you guys and gals out there who prefer just to swap out to something bigger? that's great...but please don't question those of us who like the idea of working with the original...it's kind of like a numbers matching 1969 Camaro...(if you can't understand that, then maybe you wouldnt understand this). Maybe the Ranger isn't a camaro, but it's the idea of taking the original to it's limit and maybe even beyond that is appealing to us die hards...
anyone can just drop something else in to get the most amount of power overall, and I respect and appreciate that...but why can't we also appreciate the enginuity to take the 2.9 to it's fullest possible potential...I guess what I am saying here is...let's get support to update these tech pages...all the way around.
 

almostclueless

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Yeah, I'm trying to keep my 98 numbers matching too.
 

RangerAx

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Just happened on this note:
the transmission upgrade on the tech page to swap a T5 onto a 2.9 is no longer viable either ...the update on the page lists part number 50-1802, but now that is no longer a part which comes up in the catalog for AA either...50-1802A does...
as a conversion for the nv3550 (Jeep) to 1350BW t-case...
 

jnunez86

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i saw in kuns korner that pacesetter headers(part# psm-70-1118) dont work on 4x4s. THEY DO WORK just dont bolt up to the stock cat back on some years. also not street legal and need a weld on bung for 02 sensor and band clamps for y pipe to headers.

MSD ignition boxes 6A, 6AL, and 6A OFF ROAD work wonders. along with do it your self MSD wires that last forever and an MSD BLASTER TFI coil (part# 8227) with the easy plug and play wire harness for the coil (part# 8874).

ACCEL makes an ignition box and coil combo (part# 49326) and they have a cap-rotor set (part# 8230)
 
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IMenriched

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For those really NEW to the ranger a nice picture of the infamious "spout" would be good. for when doing tune ups. those who are well seasoned around the ranger, may not think it necessary.
 

90B24wd

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Need to let people know . . .

Need to let people know that it's not worn cam bearings or air in the lifters
that is causing the infamous ticking.
What is causing the ticking is clogged rocker armshafts that is restricting oil flow, thus causing lifters to wear out and tick because of poor oil circulation.:icon_thumby:
 

CraigK

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How about??? How to disconnect and plug up some of the extraneous vaccuum and emissions lines (including the EGR tube) and what the consequences are. This might include info on switching the computer to a later year.
 

86freebie

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egr

My understanding is that the egr does not even come into play until you have let off the throttle then it resurculates the exhaust gas. So there is no need to disconnect it. it is not stealing any power.
 

capridude

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In the 2.9 sticky thread, it is mentioned that the 2.9 only saw use in the Ranger/B2.

Actually, it was used in the Merkur Scorpio here in the US, and used in several Fords in
Europe as well. It originates from the early 60's German Ford V4 of 1400?cc.

Cheers, Jeff
 

Christopher

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the infamous 2.9
I put a block plate in between my egr and left everything else hooked up. I dont know if the map sensor noticed or not. I just dont like the idea of carbon being recycled after countless hours of port grinding and deburring efforts on my plenum and lower intake.
 

Killroy

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I'd be able to transcribe some sven pruett up on here from his 60 degree ford rebuild book from a long time ago... he's the guy who made the aluminum spacers a popular trick.... he outlines how it's done in the book.

also, I think a cosworth engine swap would be cool, I was researching that years ago, and had a bunch of webpages in my bookmarks on an old computer of mine.... point being, those heads would be sweet in a ranger.
 
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HYPED_87

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well i put the 4.6l interceptor throttle body on the 2.9 v6 you have to port where the throttle body bolts to so you can get clearance for the bigger butterfly and drill the holes out on the tb to match the plenum and just cut the v6 gasket to match the 4.6 tb and one last thing is to move the mounting bracket back one bolt hole so you can still use the stock throttle cable and a lil fileing so u can snap the cable on the tb......faster revs and you definiatly notice a very good power increase and it also sounds like a monster when you puch it,it makes a dumb[good] intake sound
 

what-about-rangers

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need help tearing apart my ranger its a 90 and i need to know how to get the differentail off. and i also need to know how to get the passenger side front axel off the easiest ways for both please
 
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jaymegriffiths

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What works and doesn't work to get power out of a 2.9
if you havent already throw a k&n factory replacement air filter in. Mine did some serious exhaust note changing and from what Ive read getting an exhaust change out of an intake mod means you've done something substancial. Small economy/ power gains.(maybe a horse and 2-3 mpg's, due to a dirty previous filter)
 

mentalbreakdown00

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A long time ago I ported my 2.9 heads, but did not have a flow bench to test port to port variation. In the end I ended up achieving about 5 mpg more with my ported heads, exhaust and headers, matched upp and lower intakes. Might be useful to show where you can cut that big thermactor port out of the exhaust port in the head that eats up a lot of space in it, but I had to use studs on I think it was 4 of the valve cover bolt holes, because when you grin them down it exposes the bottom of the hole on em. I just got some studs and red locktite and screwed 'em down shaved the bottom of the stud and kept going.
 

wannaturbo2.9

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I put a mass air flow computer from a 90 cal emission into my bII. I've heard that is the system for tuning a 2.9.
 

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