Engine swap worth it?

[BackroadBomber]

On. Craigslist there's a guy with a standard transmission 2.0 zetec engine out of an escort with under 60k miles for 200 bones. I have a ranger 1994 with a 2.3l Lima "pinto" engine that is totally whooped. It has 180k miles, burns oil, the alternator and tensioner pulley is only held on by 2 outta 4 bolts (the other 2 snapped) and it needs a clutch and flywheel. Well, after ALOT of research on the web, I found that this engine will bolt to my transmission (atleast 4 out of the 6 bolts, anyways) and I was wondering if you guys think it would be worth it to swap the motor into my truck? The main reason would be for better mileage, but it also has more h.p. and torque. It also weighs about 50lbs less and has 16 valves instead of 8. The only thing I would need to purchase is the wiring harness and ecu (less than $100 at local u-pick) I would, however, need to fabricate engine mounts and the coolant plumbing. My stock ranger clutch supposedly will work with the escort flywheel, also. My truck already has a manual steering box swapped in so p/s isn't a concern. Also, according to Wikipedia, the zetec uses EEC-IV like my ranger so maybe the gauges will all work and the sensors might Plug in (wishfully thinking) also, I must add that my ranger is my secondary vehicle and I can afford to have it in-useable for a few weeks. So what do you guys think? If its worth 4mpg then it's worth it in my eyes. Oh I should also add that my ranger weighs only About 300 lbs more than a focus 5 door that these engines were also available in.

[IsaacCarlson]

If it will work, go for it. I am swapping a 3800 into a sunfire.....

[BackroadBomber]

Edit: ok apparently I misread the site on the swap I guess a 2001 and up ranger Trans will work not my 94. So add $69.99 to the cost of the build plus a clutch so about 200 bucks. In theory, i may still be able to do it for under $500

[drmiller100]

i've done a lot of swaps - it is the little stuff which kills all the time.

wiring harness. underhood, to the dash, the ECU, the obd2 sensor, etc.

easier by far to do megasquirt, but then it is more money....

a fair amount of work for a truck which is honestly marginal.

[JRMichler]

... and radiator hoses, heater hoses, gas lines, oil pan clearance, engine mounts, exhaust system, intake air, ....