I wanna build something...

...but I'm not sure what.

This is going to be a little backwards. I think normally one would have a car then pick what drive train they want to put in it. I on the other hand have an engine that I want to build  something around.

The anchor point of this whole future build is a Ford 2.8L Cologne out of a 1984 Ranger. Kind of sentimental build. The truck was my first vehicle given to me by grandmother when I turned 16. I belonged to my dad, and several other family members before arriving at me. I drove it for years. I totaled the truck with less than 5k on a fresh rebuild. 

Honestly the goal is more of a touring build than a competitive racer. Something that I can almost daily, that I can put in a toy hauler camper behind the F250 and enjoy on windy mountain roads. Occasional weekend auto-x or track day at road Atlanta, but also not helpless on a dirt and gravel road.

About the only vehicle that came with this engine that I would want is a 70s Capri, but good luck finding one worth messing with and it's not really what I want to build. Currently thinking something along the lines of a Locost or Exocet, but am open to other cars in similar size that I could fit this engine into. I'm also keeping an eye to future powerplants since I know this one isn't likely to last forever. As such I'd like an engine bay also suitable for a SBF or 2.3 turbo (Ecoboost or Thunderbird style), probably the latter.

I really like the styling of the Locost, and if I went with what I think is referred to as a 442 chassis any of my engine choices should fit. Also have a little more room than the original 7 style chassis for my 6' 200lb frame. Exocet is cool, but don't like the styling as much. That said it can obviously handle the dirt road position of things since they build an off-road be version, and it's built here in Georgia. I'd likely go with the off-road Exocet if I went that route and I'm afraid that would kill the on-road or track capabilities of the platform.

​​​​​​​​Problem with the Locost is I don't have time, place, or skills to scratch build a frame. I likely won't have time to until I retire which is 20+ years away, I'm not waiting that long. That means a kit build which as a mechanic I have skills and tools to do, and I think I could complete in a reasonable amount of time. While completing it might not be a problem, I'm a mechanic and paying for a kit may be (that's why I'm planning now, time to save) with Locost and Exocet kits running around the 10k mark. 

​​​​Oh and FWIW. I have what is left of the 84 Ranger for a parts donor, was a side impact so most of drivetrain and suspension is ok. That includes this engine, the TK5 for it (would probably opt for a 4.0L Mustang T5 of staying manual), 7.5" axle, and other parts. I've also got most of a 99+ 2wd could sprung Ranger that I can pull parts from. I would like to use the 4/5R55E from that one if I can figure out a transmission controller and paddle shifters.

Sorry for rambling, just looking for ideas and input. Maybe suggestions for kits or chassis that I don't know about or haven't considered. 

I can tell you from experience that the height of the ranger cologne intake should be considered in picking the project. It will NOT fit under a Miata hood without modification and that likely is true for most smaller cars. ... unless you are going hoodless.

People put these in MGBs before the GM 60 degree V6 came along and it was pretty hot stuff. Then the GM 60 degree V6 came along and it was pretty obsolete.

For the amount of time and $$$ that you are about to put into building anything with this engine, I bet you COULD scour the country for a driver Capri. 

This sad sack was in California for $1500 on some site called offer up

Do you want to put much time/effort/money into the engine itself? I was thinking it'd be cool to pull the intake manifold off and do bike carbs or throttle bodies.. but that's probably a deep rabbit hole. What about a Fiat Spyder? Opel GT? The Volvo coupe with the Bertone body?

itsarebuild said:

I can tell you from experience that the height of the ranger cologne intake should be considered in picking the project. It will NOT fit under a Miata hood without modification and that likely is true for most smaller cars. ... unless you are going hoodless.

You are thinking about the carbureted engine and not the EFI 2.9 or 4.0 right? I'm not sure how they compare but I think the EFI I takes are a good bit taller than carburetor.

Mine actually has an Offenhauser 4 barrel intake and Holley 390cfm carb. Don't mind using a low profile air cleaner.

Funny you mention Miata as it did cross my mind the other day. Wandering if it would fit since I can probably get one needing an engine for around $1000, and it would serve as a donor for a Locost or Exocet down the road. Honestly I don't mind running hoodless or cutting a big hole in the hood and slapping a large scoop over it.

Fiat spider has a lower hood than a Miata.

In reply to Josh :

I used a 4.0 efi  in my fiata project. It has a build thread. Carbureted would likely be easier but I didn't have the $ for a good swap like bike carbs. The biggest issue is managing exhaust on two sides and weight balance relative to the front axel centerline.  

NOHOME said:

People put these in MGBs before the GM 60 degree V6 came along and it was pretty hot stuff. Then the GM 60 degree V6 came along and it was pretty obsolete.

 

For the amount of time and $$$ that you are about to put into building anything with this engine, I bet you COULD scour the country for a driver Capri. 

This sad sack was in California for $1500 on some site called offer up

 

I have eyeballed a few MGBs wondering how it would fit. Then I wonder how I would fit. 

Im sure I could scour the country and find one. Your example in CA or another Black and Gold one I saw in CA look great. Problem is they are in CA. I'm not buying a car site unseen and having it shipped across the country. It needs to near Georgia. Something I can drive to, inspect, load on trailer and get back in a day. A weekend at most.

Also I'm kinda liking the idea of an open top roadster since I gave up riding motorcycles several years ago. Something convertible like theMGB or the others I listed with a full cage and removable bimini top and soft doors.

Am open to a Capri though if I can find a decent example needing and engine and TLC in the south east.

dannyp84 said:

Do you want to put much time/effort/money into the engine itself? I was thinking it'd be cool to pull the intake manifold off and do bike carbs or throttle bodies.. but that's probably a deep rabbit hole. What about a Fiat Spyder? Opel GT? The Volvo coupe with the Bertone body?

Shouldn't need to put much into the engine. Heads have a mild port and polish already. Offenhauser intake and Holley 390 cfm carb. Comp cam installed during rebuild.

Bike carbs and throttle bodies are definitely a rabbit hole I don't want to enter.

Not really looked at those, will check them out.

I think if I were to build to the strengths of the drivetrain I would be making a tube frame beach buggy using the truck frame as a start. These motors have amazing torque but have really low redlines. My dad had a bronco II with the 2.8 and it was fast 0-45 but peetered  out fast after that. A low speed fun buggy for going anywhere would be fun... and you can make it topless!

Josh said:

I have eyeballed a few MGBs wondering how it would fit. Then I wonder how I would fit. 

Try one on! They're a lot roomier than a lot of people think.

You're bringing back memories here. My first car was an MGB and I spent more time than I should have reading and plotting a Cologne V6 swap. It should be an easy fit, as tiny as they are. And they made half a million MGBs, so they're still easy to find, and support is abundant. They're not dainty little things. Very stout bodyshell.

Dammit. You got me thinking.

In reply to Josh :

Have you ever sat in an MGB? The legroom is hard to believe there is so much of it.

itsarebuild said:

I think if I were to build to the strengths of the drivetrain I would be making a tube frame beach buggy using the truck frame as a start. These motors have amazing torque but have really low redlines. My dad had a bronco II with the 2.8 and it was fast 0-45 but peetered  out fast after that. A low speed fun buggy for going anywhere would be fun... and you can make it topless!

They may both be 2.8Ls but I have the driving record to say my engine ain't that engine. Amazing how two engines built on the same assembly line, maybe even the same day, will perform differently. Add to that a few tweaks, decent intake and exhaust, and miles and it can make a world of difference.

By the math, I know this one would pull good up to 5k RPM, maybe higher. I did t have a tach until shortly before I totaled it. The platform it was in wasn't conducive to finding out exactly what it was good for anyway. A better transmission, better gearing, and lighter weight will change things as well.

Unfortunately low speed, all-terrain  fun buggy isn't really what I'm after. Of course, neither is drift cart or drag car.

If going tube frame build, probably more along the lines of a street legal go-kart that won't get high sided on a washboard road. If I can take it to track days to have a little fun, all the better.

​​​​​

DarkMonohue said:

Josh said:

I have eyeballed a few MGBs wondering how it would fit. Then I wonder how I would fit. 

Try one on! They're a lot roomier than a lot of people think.

You're bringing back memories here. My first car was an MGB and I spent more time than I should have reading and plotting a Cologne V6 swap. It should be an easy fit, as tiny as they are. And they made half a million MGBs, so they're still easy to find, and support is abundant. They're not dainty little things. Very stout bodyshell.

Dammit. You got me thinking.

Good to know.

Never seen an MGB in person that I recall, just pictures when looking online. My assumptions are based on pictures alone. 

NOHOME said:

In reply to Josh :

Have you ever sat in an MGB? The legroom is hard to believe there is so much of it.

As I said to DarkMonohue I've never even seen one in person that I recall. I'll have to check one out if I ever get the chance.

I was leaning in the British Roadster direction, that's one of the reasons I like the Locost builds. I like the long narrow hood, open wheel styling. Also considered doing something like a T-bucket with hood, but don't want the solid front axle I'd end up with and like the design and styling of the Locost better. The MGB is different, definitely has that British roadster vibe as well. Like the MGB better than the Fiat I think. Will have to take a closer look at an MGB if I ever get the chance.

MGT looks pretty good too, but I think it would get away from the handling aspect that I want.

Still don't think I want to attempt anything based on the Ranger frame. The 84 Ranger was a long bed (could be shortened) but it's twin I-beam and both frame rails are bent behind the transmission. That leaves the 98+ frame, still long wheel base due to extended cab, but has better SLA suspension. I think either would end up too large and far removed from what I want to build.

I've been posting from my phone and it looks like my text sizes are bouncing around. Not sure if it's just in my end or if the phone is messing something up. If it looks weird to you, sorry I'm not meaning to do it.

I think the Ford 2.8 V6 is the popular choice for an engine swap into a Sunbeam Alpine.  There's a lot of info. on the swap out there on the web.  They're a decent British roadster but not as common as the MGB.

SAAB Sonnett had the v4 that is the same bellhousing as the 2.8 right?

In reply to RossD :

Yes the Sonett does have that bell housing. It is already too nose heavy and the trans is made of glass tissue. And they are really rare, unlike the MGB.

Do not rule out an MG TD either, they handle as well as a B, but they are not for tall people.

NOHOME said:

People put these in MGBs before the GM 60 degree V6 came along and it was pretty hot stuff. Then the GM 60 degree V6 came along and it was pretty obsolete.

 

For the amount of time and $$$ that you are about to put into building anything with this engine, I bet you COULD scour the country for a driver Capri. 

This sad sack was in California for $1500 on some site called offer up

 

...and I'm trying to figure out what that bumper is from, 'cause it sure as heck doesn't look like any Capri bumper I've seen.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

...and I'm trying to figure out what that bumper is from, 'cause it sure as heck doesn't look like any Capri bumper I've seen.

Good point. It has a definite peak. Early Vega, maybe?

In reply to DarkMonohue :

I am thinking Chrysler or AMC for some reason.  Probably wrong, of course.

Kubotai said:

I think the Ford 2.8 V6 is the popular choice for an engine swap into a Sunbeam Alpine.  There's a lot of info. on the swap out there on the web.  They're a decent British roadster but not as common as the MGB.

I've seen those over the years, and was aware that the Cologne engine was a common swap for them. Did consider that, but as you said, not that common.

this forum interface isn't as advances as most that I'm used to, so lets see if I can make this work.

RossD said:

SAAB Sonnett had the v4 that is the same bellhousing as the 2.8 right?

TurnerX19 said:

In reply to RossD :

Yes the Sonett does have that bell housing. It is already too nose heavy and the trans is made of glass tissue. And they are really rare, unlike the MGB.

I'm not familiar with the Sonett or SAABs in general. I assume from what is said that it came with the Taunus V4 which is a 4 cylinder version of the Cologne V6. Looks like an interesting car, but not interested in a FWD or the work that would be required to turn it into a RWD. Now that transmission sounds like it could be interesting option for running my engine as a rear-mid engine RWD in a buggy, but also sounds like it would be too weak for the job. 

TurnerX19 said:

Do not rule out an MG TD either, they handle as well as a B, but they are not for tall people.

Looks wise the MG T-type (I called it an MGT earlier) is more what I had in mind. Sounds like it might not be a good fit though, not that finding one would be practical anyway. As far as MG offerings go, the MGB seems like the better option. Still doesn't feel quite right though.

Of the suggestions presented the Capri and the MGB are definitely the top contenders, but still neither are quite what I want and would turn into a resto-mod.  Already kind of have two of those on-going that will be (mostly) finished before this begins. I want this to be more of a from scratch or kit car build, not repairing what is already there and fixing it up. Now, if I could find a Capri or MGB in good shape that needs a drivetrain, that would be another story. Likely hood of finding one in that state and I'd be willing to pay for is doubtful. 

EDIT: Just to clarify I'm not dismissing the Capri or MGB as options, just not sure if they are right for what I want. 

My dad has also tossed out the idea of a track-t roadster built as a cruiser. I think that his idea was to build the kit that Speedway used to sell, but they no longer offer the kit. When looking into that idea more in the past I had figured on using a stretched glass body if I went that route. Love the looks of those old 20s and 30s Ford roadsters, but don't like the solid axle leaf sprung front suspension. If I'm going to put my time into building something like that I also want it to handle, which I can't imagine those do very well. 

That's kind of where I landed on the Locost. Similar styling. Small and lite. Open cockpit. Open wheel. Long, narrow hood and cowling. It's got the styling ques of the old Ford roadsters, more rigid frame, better suspension. Biggest issue is designing and fabricating a frame. Time being the biggest challenge since I don't want to be working on it for years before it's remotely usable, but I also don't have the space, tooling, or fabrication skills to tackle a frame build at this time.

I do like the British roadsters, but to do one justice in my mind feels like more than I want to tackle. Yet at the same time a scratch build or kit car seems reasonable for some reason. 

FWIW I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade, work on my own vehicles as a hobby. Assembling and/or replacing parts is not an issue. I work full time plus (currently at 60+ hour work weeks) and college part time which will hopefully lead to a to career change (IT major) in the next few years. That change should improve funds as well as free up time and energy for projects like this. In the mean time I'll continue working on my 1968 F-100 4x4 that has been in the family for decades and is getting a budget restore (will still be used as a truck) with some creature comforts. Also a 1986 Ford Ranger, originally bought to house the 2.8L then morphed into a V8 swap, getting fixed up and turned into a street truck.