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  #31  
Old 10-21-2015, 03:21 PM
riscorpian riscorpian is offline
The Projectionator
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 861
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

The camshafts have baffled me for a while now. All the information I have says that Ford didn't change them until 2004, but that same information says that they didn't change the exhaust manifold until 2004 either. Yet, my 2003 shipped straight from the factory with the pretty new manifold on it. Here's a comparison of the two:



Left is the older "vagina" design used in '01 and '02. Right is the new header-style design supposedly introduced in '04, but clearly the one on my '03. The difference is really obvious, so a quick visual check is all you need to figure out which you have.

That being said, the intake manifold is still definitely the old style on mine. But they did change the exhaust manifold. So did they compliment that with at least a new exhaust cam? Logic says that they would have to change the cams if they change the manifolds that much. Or would they? I just don't know. And I have no idea how to check which one is installed in what. Perhaps you can rip the valve covers off and compare any part numbers you see stamped on the camshafts?
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2003 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4 Duratec DOHC, 5R44E 5-speed auto, RWD, 7.5" Open w/ 4.10 Ratio, Gibson split-rear catback
Sonic Blue Pearl with dark gray trim
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  #32  
Old 01-03-2016, 07:56 PM
Fordfan444 Fordfan444 is offline
2004 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,309
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

Quote:
Originally Posted by riscorpian View Post
The camshafts have baffled me for a while now. All the information I have says that Ford didn't change them until 2004, but that same information says that they didn't change the exhaust manifold until 2004 either. Yet, my 2003 shipped straight from the factory with the pretty new manifold on it. Here's a comparison of the two:



Left is the older "vagina" design used in '01 and '02. Right is the new header-style design supposedly introduced in '04, but clearly the one on my '03. The difference is really obvious, so a quick visual check is all you need to figure out which you have.

That being said, the intake manifold is still definitely the old style on mine. But they did change the exhaust manifold. So did they compliment that with at least a new exhaust cam? Logic says that they would have to change the cams if they change the manifolds that much. Or would they? I just don't know. And I have no idea how to check which one is installed in what. Perhaps you can rip the valve covers off and compare any part numbers you see stamped on the camshafts?
I'm also baffled about the differences between the 2002 and the 2003 2.3 DOHC Duratec because I just recently bought a 2002 Ford Ranger that had the 2.3 DOHC and then when I went to look for a engine on Car-Part.com the 2003 engine was not compatible with a 2002 and I even called about the 2003 engine and the guy at the salvage yard told me I'd be taking a chance by buying the 2003. To make a long story short, I had to end up going with the 2003 engine because there wasn't a 2002 within a reasonable driving distance. These engine are VERY hard to find. I went ahead and bought the 2003 PCM to match the engine.
Then the other strange thing is that there's a early 2003 2.3 and a late 2003 2.3. The early 2003 which I bought still has the 2 air boxes that go into the snorkel. The late 2003 2.3 which is in my DWB 2003 is different because the two holes in the snorkel are capped off.
The other thing I really need to know ... Is there a flex plate that goes between the engine and trans? I didn't get one with my engine and it doesn't look like there's one in my blue Ranger.
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2004 black Ranger XLT- Sold
2004 Vista blue 2WD(custom paint job)Ranger XLT 4-door ext. cab with the 3.slow and auto trans black and blue FX4 Level II bucket seats with shorty console
2004 DSG FX4 with a 5R55E auto trans and 4:10 gears-Sold
2010 Redfire Metallic 2WD Ranger XLT,4-door ext. cab, 4.0 SOHC with auto trans, SLA front sus. traction control, Sirius Satellite radio and 3:55 gears
2003 red Ranger Edge 4X4, 4-door ext. cab -4.0 SOHC with a 5R55E auto trans
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  #33  
Old 01-03-2016, 08:02 PM
02RangerFX4 02RangerFX4 is offline
Lil' Red
 
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fordfan444 View Post
I'm also baffled about the differences between the 2002 and the 2003 2.3 DOHC Duratec because I just recently bought a 2002 Ford Ranger that had the 2.3 DOHC and then when I went to look for a engine on Car-Part.com the 2003 engine was not compatible with a 2002 and I even called about the 2003 engine and the guy at the salvage yard told me I'd be taking a chance by buying the 2003. To make a long story short, I had to end up going with the 2003 engine because there wasn't a 2002 within a reasonable driving distance. These engine are VERY hard to find. I went ahead and bought the 2003 PCM to match the engine. Then the other strange thing is that there's a early 2003 2.3 and a late 2003 2.3. The early 2003 which I bought still has the 2 air boxes that go into the snorkel. The late 2003 2.3 which is in my DWB 2003 is different because the two holes in the snorkel are capped off. The other thing I really need to know ... Is there a flex plate that goes between the engine and trans? I didn't get one with my engine and it doesn't look like there's one in my blue Ranger.
Flex plate? From my understanding a flex plate is what the torque converter bolts to. Are you thinking of the spacer plate like on manual transmission Rangers?
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2002 ford ranger FX4 Off Road | 4.0l v6 | Flowmaster 40 S/I D/O | JBA Headers | Rebello Racing cams | port and polished heads | K&n Drop-in filter | TwinStick | 31 Spline 4.10 Torsen rear diff | Alcoa rims | Sitting on 31's|
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  #34  
Old 01-04-2016, 03:17 PM
Fordfan444 Fordfan444 is offline
2004 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,309
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

Quote:
Originally Posted by 02RangerFX4 View Post
Flex plate? From my understanding a flex plate is what the torque converter bolts to. Are you thinking of the spacer plate like on manual transmission Rangers?
Yeah, I'm not talking about the flex plate flywheel for an auto trans.
I'm referring to the spacer plate. I talked to the guy that removed the engine from the 2003 at the salvage yard and he confirmed that there is NOT one there. So, I don't have to worry about installing that.
__________________
2004 black Ranger XLT- Sold
2004 Vista blue 2WD(custom paint job)Ranger XLT 4-door ext. cab with the 3.slow and auto trans black and blue FX4 Level II bucket seats with shorty console
2004 DSG FX4 with a 5R55E auto trans and 4:10 gears-Sold
2010 Redfire Metallic 2WD Ranger XLT,4-door ext. cab, 4.0 SOHC with auto trans, SLA front sus. traction control, Sirius Satellite radio and 3:55 gears
2003 red Ranger Edge 4X4, 4-door ext. cab -4.0 SOHC with a 5R55E auto trans
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  #35  
Old 01-04-2016, 08:17 PM
riscorpian riscorpian is offline
The Projectionator
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 861
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fordfan444 View Post
Yeah, I'm not talking about the flex plate flywheel for an auto trans.
I'm referring to the spacer plate. I talked to the guy that removed the engine from the 2003 at the salvage yard and he confirmed that there is NOT one there. So, I don't have to worry about installing that.
The flex plate is insanely simple on this motor. You don't need to worry about balancing it, and no spacers are required at all. Just be sure to follow the correct torque procedure when fixing it to the crankshaft, and everything will be fine. Also, the workshop manual insists that you junk the original flex plate bolts and put new ones in. They're very high torque, and fastened in steps, but I don't think it's severe enough to warrant replacement with every removal. It's up to you.

As for the air cleaner snorkel things, that seems to be regional. I've yet to identify exactly what circumstances dictate whether or not they're included. My bet is that they don't really do anything to performance, but it's cheaper to leave them out of it if Ford can get away with it. But if one area (I know we're all giving California big stink eye right now) throws a hissy fit about emissions anything, Ford can easily add those in just to shut 'em up. Strangely, it doesn't look like California is the guilty one here. Maybe Canada? There's no telling.
__________________
2003 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4 Duratec DOHC, 5R44E 5-speed auto, RWD, 7.5" Open w/ 4.10 Ratio, Gibson split-rear catback
Sonic Blue Pearl with dark gray trim
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  #36  
Old 01-04-2016, 09:54 PM
Fordfan444 Fordfan444 is offline
2004 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,309
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

Quote:
Originally Posted by riscorpian View Post
The flex plate is insanely simple on this motor. You don't need to worry about balancing it, and no spacers are required at all. Just be sure to follow the correct torque procedure when fixing it to the crankshaft, and everything will be fine. Also, the workshop manual insists that you junk the original flex plate bolts and put new ones in. They're very high torque, and fastened in steps, but I don't think it's severe enough to warrant replacement with every removal. It's up to you.

As for the air cleaner snorkel things, that seems to be regional. I've yet to identify exactly what circumstances dictate whether or not they're included. My bet is that they don't really do anything to performance, but it's cheaper to leave them out of it if Ford can get away with it. But if one area (I know we're all giving California big stink eye right now) throws a hissy fit about emissions anything, Ford can easily add those in just to shut 'em up. Strangely, it doesn't look like California is the guilty one here. Maybe Canada? There's no telling.
Thanks for chiming in for this one. I just installed the auto trans on the back of my 2.3 Duratec and it was a nightmare ... but I finally got the b**** bolted up. As far as the flex plate goes, I never took it off the engine. I was just concerned about the spacer plate that goes on the V6engines. It's kind neat how the starter bolts on these engines. I've never seen a set up like that before.

BTW ... I have the header style exhaust manifold on my 2003 engine too. I'm going to use that one and scrap the other one.
__________________
2004 black Ranger XLT- Sold
2004 Vista blue 2WD(custom paint job)Ranger XLT 4-door ext. cab with the 3.slow and auto trans black and blue FX4 Level II bucket seats with shorty console
2004 DSG FX4 with a 5R55E auto trans and 4:10 gears-Sold
2010 Redfire Metallic 2WD Ranger XLT,4-door ext. cab, 4.0 SOHC with auto trans, SLA front sus. traction control, Sirius Satellite radio and 3:55 gears
2003 red Ranger Edge 4X4, 4-door ext. cab -4.0 SOHC with a 5R55E auto trans

Last edited by Fordfan444; 01-04-2016 at 09:57 PM.
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  #37  
Old 01-05-2016, 06:39 AM
tomw0 tomw0 is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,086
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

I want to know how H2O got into all the cylinders... I would have figured at least two would have their valves closed, the others on intake or exhaust...
Did you take off the head and look inside? Did it sit a long time?

What did the maker do to keep crud out of the bell housing? There must be a plate of some sort to cover the front of the flywheel or flex plate. I have seen people leave them off, but I don't think it is a good idea. All sorts of road trash, water, lube, etc can get in there and mess up the front seal of the auto, or coat the friction of a manual.
tom
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  #38  
Old 01-05-2016, 07:31 PM
Fordfan444 Fordfan444 is offline
2004 Ranger XLT
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,309
Default Re: 2.3 DOHC interchange

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomw0 View Post
I want to know how H2O got into all the cylinders... I would have figured at least two would have their valves closed, the others on intake or exhaust...
Did you take off the head and look inside? Did it sit a long time?

What did the maker do to keep crud out of the bell housing? There must be a plate of some sort to cover the front of the flywheel or flex plate. I have seen people leave them off, but I don't think it is a good idea. All sorts of road trash, water, lube, etc can get in there and mess up the front seal of the auto, or coat the friction of a manual.
tom
More than likely they pulled water into the engine through the intake when they tried to start it. The engine might have lived if they didn't try to start it with water in it. The air filter that was in the air box was all rusted.
__________________
2004 black Ranger XLT- Sold
2004 Vista blue 2WD(custom paint job)Ranger XLT 4-door ext. cab with the 3.slow and auto trans black and blue FX4 Level II bucket seats with shorty console
2004 DSG FX4 with a 5R55E auto trans and 4:10 gears-Sold
2010 Redfire Metallic 2WD Ranger XLT,4-door ext. cab, 4.0 SOHC with auto trans, SLA front sus. traction control, Sirius Satellite radio and 3:55 gears
2003 red Ranger Edge 4X4, 4-door ext. cab -4.0 SOHC with a 5R55E auto trans
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