I blew the engine in my 1990 ranger, I need to do a swap should a drop a 302 in or another 2.9. just need some ideas on witch way to go

Info helps, what trans, 4x4 or 2x4, probably get by cheaper rebuilding the 2.9.

Did it throw a rod, is it knocking, or could it have just popped a headgasket, or cracked a head.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

another 2.9l is all bolt in, but finding another 2.9L that's even good is going to be another up hill battle. 4.0l swap is pretty strait forward. 5.0l swap is going to add a lot more work, from mending in the wiring to needing a new exhaust system, driveshaft (depends on what you run into), swapping in the v8 trans, plus the expense of swap parts.. cooling is another aspect, but easier to deal with if you can find a 5.0l w/ short FEAD, but engine management considerations come into play; i doubt you'd want to convert to OBD-II, but some 5.0ls with the short front end dress were OBD-I.

I had a 4.0 in my 91 and I loved it I would love to drop one in. and my tick is a rod I thought it was head problem...but it is a rod. Im a college student in the auto department so I have access to all the tools that I would need I just am not quite sure what direction I want to go. Quite yet because im only in the whole truck 1200 bucks so I can justify still putting money into it

T Bird Turbo 3.8 L V6. Just because it sounds fun.

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1993 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD (Profile Pic)
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4WD