1981 Ram 50 blown 4cyl, new engine swap w/FI? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

bobo68 · 03-23-2006, 08:16 AM

I need to replace the 2.6 4cyl in my 81 Ram50 mini pickup.

The boneyard said any Dodge or Mitsubushi 4cyl from a mini pickup or one of the tiny suv types up to ~89 would swap in so I'm thinking of getting a newer fuel injected engine.

Anyone ever upgraded to FI on one of these engines?

Other than the obvious computer and making provisions for O2 sensor in the exhaust path, not sure of any other extra stuff needed to make the fi swap.

Any thoughts from anyone?

Thanks in advance
Bobo

mondtster · 03-23-2006, 10:28 AM

What you were told is mostly true, but you may want to be a little careful and measure the bellhousing bolt pattern for whatever motor you end up with. Most of the motors will be the "wide" bolt pattern (your 2.6L motor should have this currently) which was primarily used in RWD applications, however there were some odd combinations that had the narrower FWD bolt pattern as well.

What motor are you trying to put in this truck? I know my buddy's '88 2.6 powered pickup was still carbureted when he bought it so I would think that if you were thinking of an easy motor swap another carbed 2.6 shouldn't be too hard to find.

As far as going through with an EFI swap, you will need to plumb a fuel return line to the fuel tank, add an electric fuel pump to the tank, do all the EFI wiring, and other small things. The best way to do a swap like this is to buy a wrecked vehicle that has all the parts you will need and either part out the rest of the car later or just scrap it. EFI parts will get expensive quick if you try to piece a setup together from here and there (especially harnesses, ECU, etc.)

Hope this helps.

bobo68 · 03-23-2006, 11:36 AM

Thanks that does help alot.

I just want to get it back on the road, nothing fancy so it sounds like I should just stick with a carb'd engine for now.

One other question, if I find a FI engine that has the right bellhousing bolt pattern will my carb'd intake fit the injected head?
Not trying to do anything with that combo, just wondering in case that is easier to find.

Thanks again
Bill

mondtster · 03-23-2006, 06:46 PM

I would think that carb manifolds would fit, but I can't tell you for sure. I don't know much about the 2.6L motors (never interested me much) other than what motors could possibly replace them.

I'm thinking that a carbed motor shouldn't be too hard to find. As I said before, my buddy's '88 was still carbed so that gives you quite a few years to search from. You may also take a look at mid '80s Caravans as quite a few of them were 2.6L powered (I believe they were a wide bellhousing, but not sure). However, if you live in a state with emissions checks that may be a hassle since the Caravans didn't have all the same emissions equipment to the best of my knowledge.

GUNNERMAN · 03-26-2006, 11:58 AM

I agree abought the large bell housing i learnd the hard way .
I had a d-50 4x4 it was great. Then bought a 2wd for the motor and it did not fit.

03-23-2006, 08:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
bobo68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Member # 32527 Posts: 26	1981 Ram 50 blown 4cyl, new engine swap w/FI? I need to replace the 2.6 4cyl in my 81 Ram50 mini pickup. The boneyard said any Dodge or Mitsubushi 4cyl from a mini pickup or one of the tiny suv types up to ~89 would swap in so I'm thinking of getting a newer fuel injected engine. Anyone ever upgraded to FI on one of these engines? Other than the obvious computer and making provisions for O2 sensor in the exhaust path, not sure of any other extra stuff needed to make the fi swap. Any thoughts from anyone? Thanks in advance Bobo

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03-23-2006, 10:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
mondtster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Member # 25349 Location: Waterloo, IA Posts: 3,648	What you were told is mostly true, but you may want to be a little careful and measure the bellhousing bolt pattern for whatever motor you end up with. Most of the motors will be the "wide" bolt pattern (your 2.6L motor should have this currently) which was primarily used in RWD applications, however there were some odd combinations that had the narrower FWD bolt pattern as well. What motor are you trying to put in this truck? I know my buddy's '88 2.6 powered pickup was still carbureted when he bought it so I would think that if you were thinking of an easy motor swap another carbed 2.6 shouldn't be too hard to find. As far as going through with an EFI swap, you will need to plumb a fuel return line to the fuel tank, add an electric fuel pump to the tank, do all the EFI wiring, and other small things. The best way to do a swap like this is to buy a wrecked vehicle that has all the parts you will need and either part out the rest of the car later or just scrap it. EFI parts will get expensive quick if you try to piece a setup together from here and there (especially harnesses, ECU, etc.) Hope this helps.

03-23-2006, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
bobo68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Member # 32527 Posts: 26	Thanks that does help alot. I just want to get it back on the road, nothing fancy so it sounds like I should just stick with a carb'd engine for now. One other question, if I find a FI engine that has the right bellhousing bolt pattern will my carb'd intake fit the injected head? Not trying to do anything with that combo, just wondering in case that is easier to find. Thanks again Bill

03-23-2006, 06:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
mondtster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Member # 25349 Location: Waterloo, IA Posts: 3,648	I would think that carb manifolds would fit, but I can't tell you for sure. I don't know much about the 2.6L motors (never interested me much) other than what motors could possibly replace them. I'm thinking that a carbed motor shouldn't be too hard to find. As I said before, my buddy's '88 was still carbed so that gives you quite a few years to search from. You may also take a look at mid '80s Caravans as quite a few of them were 2.6L powered (I believe they were a wide bellhousing, but not sure). However, if you live in a state with emissions checks that may be a hassle since the Caravans didn't have all the same emissions equipment to the best of my knowledge.

03-26-2006, 11:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
GUNNERMAN Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70060 Posts: 3	I agree abought the large bell housing i learnd the hard way . I had a d-50 4x4 it was great. Then bought a 2wd for the motor and it did not fit.