[rustycobraii]

I just bought a 1977 Cobra II. Besides the fact that it needs work everywhere, I have some questions about the engine. It has the V6 2.8L engine. I know the Rangers and early Bronco II had the 2.8 in them as well. Is it the same engine and will it bolt right in? Im also looking the supercharge it. Are there any places I can buy performance parts for 2.8L anywhere. I have been having trouble locating some. Also, with the Ranger engine, will it bolt up to my transmission? Its a 4 speed manual. Thanks all.

[Black/Gold77]

bronco iis and rangers had 2.9 leter motors not 2.8s you just about cant kill them and i dont know that ive seen one that didnt have a transfere case behind it.

[rustycobraii]

they did have the 2.9, but before the 2.9 they had 2.8s. the 2.9 was the fuel injection changeover. the 2.8 were had carbs. i had a bronco ii that was a 2.8. it was the 83-85. not sure what years the ranger was though

[Formyride]

Originally Posted by rustycobraii

I just bought a 1977 Cobra II. Besides the fact that it needs work everywhere, I have some questions about the engine. It has the V6 2.8L engine. I know the Rangers and early Bronco II had the 2.8 in them as well. Is it the same engine and will it bolt right in? Im also looking the supercharge it. Are there any places I can buy performance parts for 2.8L anywhere. I have been having trouble locating some. Also, with the Ranger engine, will it bolt up to my transmission? Its a 4 speed manual. Thanks all.

I had a 76 with a v6 a while back and had a tough time with performance parts then. I believe Hooker makes a set of headers for that engine and I think you can still get a set of headers from J.C. Whitney. Offenhauser makes a 4 bbl intake manifold for the 2.8 engine but it is rather pricey. I saw an article in a Magazine about 10 years ago about a v6 Mustang ii with a blower; I think it was a Wieand but Im not sure.

[Blue_coyote]

The 2.8 in the trucks is the same engine, but there ARE minor differences. They have larger cam journals and slightly different accessories attached, as well as a totally different distributore and ignition.

83-85 Ranger (2wd and 4x4)
84-85 Bronco II (all are the 4x4 configuration:2wd used a dummy T-case)
86-ONLY Aerostars (only version with serpentine belt and shorty headers...which don't fit the II)

[rustycobraii]

Originally Posted by Blue_coyote

The 2.8 in the trucks is the same engine, but there ARE minor differences. They have larger cam journals and slightly different accessories attached, as well as a totally different distributore and ignition.

83-85 Ranger (2wd and 4x4)
84-85 Bronco II (all are the 4x4 configuration:2wd used a dummy T-case)
86-ONLY Aerostars (only version with serpentine belt and shorty headers...which don't fit the II)

since they are the same engine, as long as i had the accessories from the truck, and the distributor and ignition, as well as the intake manifold i would assume, from my ii, everything should be bolt fairly easily? i know the bronco ii and rangers have an ecu of some sort, to what degree i dont know, but would i need to get that too?

[Blue_coyote]

You will need the distributor, intake, carb, and water pump/lower hose assembly from your Mustang 2.8, and probably the flywheel assembly as well (although they might swap, I can't recall off-hand).

Then you don't need to have anything to do with the bastardized butchery of the EEC-IV/TFI ignition system they used on the Ranger/BII.

Don't get the carb spacers mixed up. You MUST use the Mustang phenolic spacer, because the "truck" version has a section cut out to clear the throttle position sensor on the EEC-IV carb. Its one of those things that's driven Bronco II guys nuts for over 20 years of swapping the Duraspark ignition onto their 2.8s

[Filletmignon]

these guys sell performance parts for the 2.8...they have headers and even a offenhiemer 4 barrell intake with a holley carb to fit it...but be prepared to drop a T-Bill...the parts are NOT CHEAP!!!

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