what is the best carbed 4 cylinder to build for a 2wd ranger?

does the 2.0 or 2.3 have the most aftermarket support?
does any 4 cylinder have the same bellhousing pattern as the 2.8 V6

I'm kind of thinking about eventually putting together a mildy
built 4 cylinder, but I don't really have a starting point.

 

There's more aftermarket interest in the 2.3.
The V6s may share the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing, but the starter is on the wrong side.
AL.

 

An early 2.3L from a Pinto or Mustang would be the
most sensible starting point, use either a Motorcraft
5200 2BBl carb, or adapt a holley 2100 to the manifold,
a tri-y header, a late model Ranger roller cam, 9:1
compression pistons, should be good for 130+HP...

SteveL

 

I dont know of any one as "best" in factory form they are all close.Prolly within 10 HP of each other in stock trim.I do think as said before that a larger than stock cam port polish and shave to 9.0 CR is all good.And also as posted try to make it all flow headers cat removal if you can in your area.If you have a carb set up already you have a AIR or smog pump.Get rid of it if you can.

 

by "best" I was really trying to get an idea of availability of aftermarket parts, and how common the engines are in stock form. the 2.3 looks like a pretty easy core to find and build.

 

There is a bunch of stuff for it,mostly due to the mini stock racing and the use of it there.The 2.3L is very nice for aftermarket parts.Racer Walsh,Esslinger are two good ones.Also the turbo coupe T-bird and XR4TI make for great donor cars for turbo.200 HP is not that hard.

 

2.3L engine
9:1 or 10:1 compression
Roller cam
87 or later lower intake (Best flowing intake available)
header
Turbo-blue for the fuel!!! Love the smell of that stuff