2.3 crankshaft

[lablue96]

Hello all, My first post will be an easy one. are the crankshafts on a manual transmission 2.3 same as an automatic? are they interchangeable? that would be on the 06 07 08 engines if that helps.
thanks

 

[philrab]

I don't believe there's any difference in cranks for the manual vs. auto. Why do you ask out of curiosity? If you're rebuilding, consider running a 2.3 Ford Ranger crank as it doesn't have the gear for the balance shafts (lighter, plus less rotational inertia from removing the balance shaft assmebly.) Removing the balance shaft assembly will of course require a BSD eliminator kit available from several sources.

 

[lablue96]

Cool. thanks
I'm asking because I'm rebuilding my mazda3 with a bad engine. I have another used 2.3 engine that I will be rebuilding and swapping into the mazda. My car is a 06 2.3 mazda3 with a manual but the engine came from a 07 car with an automatic transmission. I was asking mainly because of the flywheel vs flexplate and how they attach. It seems very ovious that that would be different. It's been a while since I replaced the clutch on my car so I can't really remember how it was set up. I can just swap them but since I can't have the car just sitting without an engine, my plan was to rebuild the used one and just swap it when it was done, so I was trying to avoid having both engines torn down and swapping parts.

I've been reading here for quite a while and this site has been very helpful with all my question, I haven't posted because if you read enough posts all the answers will be found (spin) that's what made me join. It truly is a very informative forum.
About the BSD eliminator. I was planning on using a Kit and trying to avoid the extra expense of buying and time of finding a ranger crankshaft, but it might be something I will look into if the flywheel cant be bolted to the crank from the auto.
what about the pulleys? are they the same?

 

[philrab]

Cool. thanks
I'm asking because I'm rebuilding my mazda3 with a bad engine. I have another used 2.3 engine that I will be rebuilding and swapping into the mazda. My car is a 06 2.3 mazda3 with a manual but the engine came from a 07 car with an automatic transmission. I was asking mainly because of the flywheel vs flexplate and how they attach. It seems very ovious that that would be different. It's been a while since I replaced the clutch on my car so I can't really remember how it was set up. I can just swap them but since I can't have the car just sitting without an engine, my plan was to rebuild the used one and just swap it when it was done, so I was trying to avoid having both engines torn down and swapping parts.

I've been reading here for quite a while and this site has been very helpful with all my question, I haven't posted because if you read enough posts all the answers will be found (spin) that's what made me join. It truly is a very informative forum.
About the BSD eliminator. I was planning on using a Kit and trying to avoid the extra expense of buying and time of finding a ranger crankshaft, but it might be something I will look into if the flywheel cant be bolted to the crank from the auto.
what about the pulleys? are they the same?

In your case, I wouldn't bother with a Ranger crank. I thought maybe you were rebuilding thrashed rod bearing/bad crank. The BSD can be added relatively cheaply, just know in advance that your engine will need more oil on fillup (the balance shaft assembly is submerged in the oil pan, and with it gone you need about another quart or so to fill it up) otherwise if you keep putting 4.5 or so quarts in you're at a high risk for starving the oil and spinning a rod bearing. BSD removal does act like a lighter flywheel in that the engine will have less rotating mass/spin up faster, but possibly add some additional vibration. Lot of opinions on that one, and it seams to be worse with stiffer mounts.

Most people I've talked to that did pulleys didn't see a huge benefit for the amount of work needed.