Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Topic: Identifing a 2.3 Motor? (Read 266 times) previous topic - next topic

Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

November 28, 2023, 08:50:39 PM

As I pick away at replacing aged items for no other reason but they are old and it’s a small price to pay for the confidence to avoid break down or not cooking a great running motor. Up to now, Hoses, Radiator, Alternator (Starter, Regulator, which did fail), Water Pump, Battery, and Tires.
According to VIN # this car left the factory as a V-6. Now has a 2.3, single spark plug Turbo with an aftermarket intercooler and plumbing, Installed by a previous owner.
Looking to replace the Plugs , Wires, Cap, Rotor, Condenser, or whatever I will find under the cap.
Questions:
How do I identify exactly what his motor is?
What are the best Spark Plugs.
From what I see in other posts, Motorcraft is recommended for the distributor items.
Thanks

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #1 – November 28, 2023, 10:51:12 PM

In regards to tune-up items, a Ford Lima 2.3T is a Ford Lima 2.3T.

Looking at the intake. If it's original to the motor, the engine is probably out of an 85-86 Tbird (Or even a Merkur XR4Ti), but it doesn't really matter. You can safely use an '85 Turbocoupe as your search choice for the parts you're looking for.

The only thing you'll need to look out for is there were 2 types of distributor rotors used. A standard press-on type, or a screw down version. Pop the cap and take a look. These are electronic ignition, so no points/condenser.

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #2 – November 29, 2023, 06:03:02 PM

Thanks
Attached is a close up of the intake
The Raised Numbers read as follows;
RF-E59E-9425-C8A & 1342

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #3 – November 29, 2023, 07:37:26 PM

Do you have larger pics of the engine bay, cant really see anything with details.

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #4 – November 29, 2023, 07:59:15 PM

As I said, you're probably dealing with an 85-86 engine, but it doesn't matter for what you're looking to do. Other than the distributor rotor, ALL of the rest of the tune-up parts are the same.

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #5 – December 01, 2023, 08:20:50 AM

A lot of folks say to only use Ford Motorcraft ignition parts because aftermarket items can be problematic.
Use copper plugs. NGK 2238 or Motorcraft SP447 AGSF32C, there's some others that are good too. You'll want to decrease the spark plug gap too according to how much boost you run in the car to avoid spark blowout. I am currently running .028" with 17 psi that is probably lower than it needs to be.