I need a 89 2.6 with the odd size bell housing (bigger one)

[maxslack]

I am looking at a super clean '89 auto extended cab truck with a bad 2.6 motor that I can get for $300, but it has the unusual size bellhousing. I think it's the bigger version (16" measured between the lower dowel pins?) as opposed to the smaller (12.5?). Any info on these engines would be much appreciated. I used to have a '92 with a FI 2.6 5 speed and loved it!!

Thanks,

Don

[camoit]

This may help. http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/showwiki.php?title=Engine:Engine+type+and+markings

[pennyman1]

it should be 13.25 not 16 inches for a wideblock tranny - the 2.6 5 speed is a wideblock motor

[maxslack]

According to the link you sent me

1990–1996 2.4 L 4G64 I4, 116 hp (87 kW)
Wide block design for all transmissions, ~13.25" lower bell housing bolt spacing.

Has anyone swapped a 2.4 into a 2.6 wide block? Any idea how difficult it would be? I assume the 2.4 was FI. I wonder if I could adapt a weber to it?...

[pennyman1]

The tranny from the 2.6 will fit the 2.4 - the FI is not that hard to swap in if you have the harness from the doner truck. you would have to put in a high pressure fuel pump to run the motor. The 2.4 would also bolt up to the auto tranny in the truck as well.

[maxslack]

Thanks Pennyman! Would the donor have to come from an auto truck? Or would a standard 4 or 5 speed work? Is the FI on the 2.4 any good? As I recall, my '92 2.4 FI 5 speed ran great! Lots of power and torque. This is the direction I'd like to go in.

Don

[pennyman1]

it can come from either auto or manual - all are wide block. The FI is good on these motors - look at Merrill's threads on the 2.4 Fi and some of the things that can be done with it.

[maxslack]

Thanks!! This is a very exciting development! The 2.4 engine is plentiful in the southeast. I'll start looking for a donor truck. If I find one with a good 5 speed I might swap that in too since it would have the pedal assembly as well. I've heard the auto in the '89 was pretty reliable...any opinion?

Thanks!

Don

[pennyman1]

my Dad had an 88 ram50 spacecab with the 2.6 auto - he kept the fluid changed and even towed small travel trailers with it and never had an issue with it. It is the same aisin warner tranny that nissan used behind the 300zx turbo motors, and starquest intercooled turbo 2.6s

[maxslack]

Here is a link to 6 pics of the truck:

http://s1063.photobucket.com/user/maxslack/library/89%20mightymax?sort=2&page=1

Very clean. One owner, 80K miles. New tires and brand new head. (Can this head be used on thee 2.4?)

[pennyman1]

the 2.6 head will not fit the 2.4 - the 2.6 is an astron, the 2.4 a sirius motor - 2 different generations.

[BradMph]

2 different engine family's I think Pennyman meant to say. There are engines in different generations that are compatible, for example the G63B engine can interchange among 1st and 2nd generations.
Why not buy that red truck and use it for your ride. Just using the head off it doesn't make sense to me, though I confuse easily. :scratchheadyellow: