Picked up a new project

[tdavis]

So I just need a different bell housing then right?

I thought the bellhousing was one piece with the manual transmission.. So you can't just change the bell housing.

 

[Stic-o]

I thought the bellhousing was one piece with the manual transmission.. So you can't just change the bell housing.

Back to the drawing board!

Thanks guys

 

[RockRanger]

I thought the bellhousing was one piece with the manual transmission.. So you can't just change the bell housing.

Some are some arent. I know my fm145 that I had in my ranger had a remeovable bell housing. I think the mazda trannys have the intergrated bell housings. The only problem I see is i am not sure what trannys even came behind the 3.0s so even if you have a tranny with a removable bellhousing (which I think you may) you would have to hope that the 3.0 had the same tranny behind it that you have in your ranger right now. This is where I see the problem.

 

[jimbo74]

i have a 94 convertable explorer... you can buy it from me and tow it away for cheap... still ahs a great tranny (a4ld) d4 rear end 3.73 with lsd, and a d35 front.... springs are good... body is gone... interior is ok, but the trucks been outside for awhile....

 

[dtl 2k2 sport]

The truck is for your sister? What did she ever do to you,!!? does your dad not like her either!?? J/K,, looks like a great new toy for a lil while,, Keep us posted

 

[Stic-o]

Some are some arent. I know my fm145 that I had in my ranger had a remeovable bell housing. I think the mazda trannys have the intergrated bell housings. The only problem I see is i am not sure what trannys even came behind the 3.0s so even if you have a tranny with a removable bellhousing (which I think you may) you would have to hope that the 3.0 had the same tranny behind it that you have in your ranger right now. This is where I see the problem.

Well I have the A4ld mounted on the back of the 3.0. Does the A4LD just have a half shft on the end? The A4LD is out of 2wd, 3.0 is out of 4wd (not that that matters) The tranns in the truck is a 5-speed (or the 4 w/OD) and a manual T-case. Not sure which Trans it is though

 

[RangerX]

Check this link. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html

 

[Stic-o]

Check this link. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html

Yeah I've been there and looked, Dosn't really help though with out the truck and trans's in front of me.

You know it's funny though there is a about switch a A4LD to the Mitsubishi 5- speed, which is probbaly what I have I would be doing the oppisite, and length wise they are the same. I'm gonna have to go to my dads and see what I find. switching over to the A4LD would be the best overall for the truck. I would just like to swap for the Manual T-case

 

[Stic-o]

So here is what is going to happen:

We will be ripping out the 2.8 and 5-speed

and putting in the '94 3.0 and A4LD. The Trasfercase should bolt right up

This will make very reliable and get pretty good mileage. We will probaly switch the headlights over to the newer type bulbs (sence it's part of the loom) with clear head lights.

 

[n3m3s1s]

pic request...

i gotta see how this turns out.
good luck.

 

[Positive Vibes]

pic request...

i gotta see how this turns out.
good luck.

Me too! Sounds like a good project!

 

[RockRanger]

Any updates? wondering how it coming along. The 3.0 and 2.8,2.9, 4.0 do infact have different bell housing. The upper two bolts on the 3.0 are approcmently 4 1/4 inches apart where the 2.8,2.9,4.0 have the top bolts aproxemently 3 3/8" apart. Took pictures of both just forgot my camera at my girlfrinds so i can't post them yet.

 

[Stic-o]

Any updates? wondering how it coming along. The 3.0 and 2.8,2.9, 4.0 do infact have different bell housing. The upper two bolts on the 3.0 are approcmently 4 1/4 inches apart where the 2.8,2.9,4.0 have the top bolts aproxemently 3 3/8" apart. Took pictures of both just forgot my camera at my girlfrinds so i can't post them yet.

Been very very busy I go to vegas this weekend for work but I get to go to some killer Super Bowl partys .

We tare it the truck full speed next weekend. We now have a end of march deadline and there is still alot to do! I will get new pics next for all.

I think I need to find some motor mounts for the 3.0 though. Don't know if they will match up to the 2.8.

3.0

2.8

 

[RockRanger]

Cant really tell from the pictures forsure but it sure looks like half of each of them are the same. the one for the 2.8 on the right side of the picture looks like it is fliped in a different location then the other three are. I have never heard of them using a diffent crossmember between the 3.0 and other motors except in 2wd vs 4wd. My guess would get the 3.0 mounts you need and they might just bolt in or require a few holes to be redrilled that would be my guess anyway.

 

[Stic-o]

Cant really tell from the pictures forsure but it sure looks like half of each of them are the same. the one for the 2.8 on the right side of the picture looks like it is fliped in a different location then the other three are. I have never heard of them using a diffent crossmember between the 3.0 and other motors except in 2wd vs 4wd. My guess would get the 3.0 mounts you need and they might just bolt in or require a few holes to be redrilled that would be my guess anyway.

Yes that is what I'm hopeing. A plus factor is the 3.0 did come out of a 4x4 I know. It should run like a champ! It only has like 35k on it. We've had it for 3-4 years sitting in the garage. Our original plan was to swap it in to my dads zuki, but now this project came along. The zuki will get a 4.0 in the future now

 

[RockRanger]

When you pull the old 2.8 could you do me a favor and measure the length of the bell housing on the tranny. I assume you have the fm145 and I cant find the length of the bell housing listed anywhere.

 

[Stic-o]

When you pull the old 2.8 could you do me a favor and measure the length of the bell housing on the tranny. I assume you have the fm145 and I cant find the length of the bell housing listed anywhere.

Will do.

New plan! My dad picked up a 2.8 so we will be replacing it. Motor with eveything, 2 new fenders (black) and a grill for $400

 

[Stic-o]

Well things change again! We started tareing the new junkyard 2.8 apart to clean it up and make it loook nice. I started pulling plugs and the #1 plug came out orange! The piston was at the tope of the cyl. and you could see light rust on it. So we desided to turn the engine by hand to see how bad it was....Water started puking out of the spark plug holes! So we desided to take the motor back. Got all are $$ back too.

We put new plugs in the exsisting 2.8 and it runs pretty good. We just assumed from the way every thing looked and how it sounded and smoked at first it was a junk motor. Now after cleaning it up and doing some maintance on it, she's runnig like a champ! And No smoke!

So this helps us speed up things a little. We were also replased the front fenders last weekend. I try to get some updated pics soon.

 

[FROADER]

I don't know which looks worse. lol j/k

 

[Jefe]

So after two or three ideas for swaping in motors, you're back to the original motor? Making things hard on yourself I see.