i'll be merging the 2.3 from my 87 (block/head) and the 2.6 from my 89 (intake/fuel injection) together this weekend to make a running motor for my 89. from looking at the two motors, it seems everything SHOULD match up?

Im about 99% shure everything should fit. The 2.3L and 2.6L are the same block if i remeber corectly.

From the research I've done on this, there are a couple of differences. I've been looking at going the other way though, swapping a 2.6L in place of a 2.3. The plate bolted to the back of the motor that the tranny bolts to is a little different and the spacing on the accesory pulleys in the front is different. You can swap the rear plate, and I believe you can swap the crank pulley and all the accesory mounts to get the belts in line. Also, the oil pan has some differences, but I believe that is mostly tied to a bracket for the cable clutch on the 2.3L motor. Going from a 2.6 to a 2.3 the clutch slave I think will just bolt onto the other side and the cable bracket can sit unused. I don't think you would need to change pans, but if it is needed it can be done. You will probably need the distributor from the 2.6 to work with the fuel injection and computer, and you'll have to find a way to block off the manual fuel pump on the 2.3L head when hooking the 2.6 intake to it. Forget that fuel pump hole and you'll have a nice big oil leak in a hurry.

If you have both motors complete, you should be able to put the two together and make it work, but be aware some parts do need to be moved between the two. Get them side by side and do some real looking to see what might not fit.

thanks for the info... i've being doing some hunting as well over on the 4x4wire (stupid me, i always forget what a wealth of isuzu knowledge is over there) and it should be a relatively simple swap. many of the differences you mentioned won't matter anyway 800xl, such as accessories, etc. those are all contained between the 2 seperate motors, and won't have any need to mix and match. the pans may be different, but i know there is no difference in front diff clearance, etc. fuel pump block off was expected, i'll just make up a plate to bolt in with a seal. the distributor is something i hadn't considered, but i don't think it will be an issue considering it's still a mechanical unit, isuzu hadn't switched to coil packs yet which is where the computer plays a large hand in controlling timing/spark. another difference is the starter/flywheel teeth, so depending on which starter you want to used you'll need to change the flywheel AND clutch. i had too much stuff going on this weekend to get into them, but i have a wheeling trip the 25th that i plan to have it ready for so i'll post my results. i know it will work, just a matter of how much work is involved.

Will this swap work with an 88 auto 2.6 to 2.3 block. Do you lose a noticable amount of H.P.? Just wondering, I need a new bottom end and am having a hard time locating one in my area. But there is a 2.3 at the junk yard. Thanx in advance , Baked

hi, ok, the 93-95 4ZD1 FI motors put out 102 HP compaired to the carbed ones with 92 hp. The throttle response is much better and the fuel economy as well (+2-5mpg). Anyway, the blocks are basically the same with the exception of the head being about 3/4" taller, yet it uses the same timing belt. The block off plate, easy. The distributor has a "positioning sensor" so the injectors know when to fire into the cylinders and the computer tells it when. the wiring harnesses are WAY different. Even some of the wires in the dash are different. I put a dash from a 2.3L into my 2.6L truck (dash was cracked) and i had to change the whole harness out. The wiring harness from teh fuel tank is different as well since it has a wire to turn on an electric fuel pump that runs from the computer to the tank. You also need a electric in tank pump, easy to get from teh 2.6L donor (if available). One thing i learned, just swap out the motor/trans plate to put in a 2.6L trans...thanks guys..learn something new everyday
good luck
Ron

will the 2.3 bolt up to my 2.6 auto tranny? I know seems silly to go from a 2.6 to a 2.3. It has to do with price and availability. Baked

long story short, it was a completely bolt up swap... no issues or major differences between the two blocks/heads. still working out a couple of issues, seems to be running very rich.