2.3 Question

Topic: 2.3 Question (Read 1017 times) previous topic - next topic

2.3 Question

August 09, 2006, 10:19:33 AM

This may be a little out of place in this forum, but folks on this site are very knowledgeable about most things Ford. I have a 2.3L powered 97 Ranger, and the thing is a turd. It has 55k miles (timing belt has been changed) If it was an older vehicle, I would fatten up the accelerator squirter, and advance the timing, as it bogs a little, and the exhaust note sounds flat, or sort of drones. (not crisp) It is actually unsafe to pull out onto a busy street. Seems to run better when cold, when it is in the open loop mode. I have had it to the local Ford guys, and while they admit it seems sluggish, it shows no failure codes, hence, they can't fix it if it isn't broken. Is there a speed shop in the Phoenix area that can check/adjust timing/fuel mixture to improve driveability? I also have an '85 TC which shows none of these sypmtoms when off boost. Any tips, guys?

2.3 Question

Reply #1 – August 09, 2006, 10:48:08 AM

Well have you checked to make sure that the cam timing is correct? That wouldn't throw a code but if you were a tooth of it would run but low in power. Also check the exhust for any blockage. I had a plugged cat in my turbo coupe it would start up and run but had no power.

2.3 Question

Reply #2 – August 09, 2006, 11:54:59 AM

As the truck had 50k plus miles, the first thing I checked was the Cam belt...put a new one on anyway, no difference. Exhaust seems normal, and the engine doesn't run hot. It runs well at higher rpm, where a plugged cat would most likely come into play....I dunno..

2.3 Question

Reply #3 – August 09, 2006, 12:40:33 PM

You sure you got the timing belt installed properly? I did the one in my Mustang once and got it a tooth off (apparently advanced the timing), it felt fine around town but it was gutless on the highway. Like it didn't even wanna do 70. Redid the timing belt and that fixed the problem. Just turn the crank pulley to TDC on the timing pointer and check all your marks to make sure they're lined up.'

Otherwise I dunno. Might go ask the guys over at therangerstation.com.

2.3 Question

Reply #4 – August 10, 2006, 01:49:02 AM

If you are missing the timing marks for the head use a stright edge to line up the marks with. the stright edge needs to be centered on the cam pully bolt and the Aux shaft pully bolt then you got it. Also you can take off the valve cover and see if the first 2 cam lobes are laying so the raised portions are pointing to each side of the car. Then you also have TDC. If you don't wanna take my word for it search over at turbo ford.

2.3 Question

Reply #5 – August 10, 2006, 11:02:07 AM

One tooth retarded on the cam will kill the bottom end, been there done that(more than once).

On the daughters old automatic 2.3 Stang I used to run it one tooth advanved, gave it a little more bottom end and limited the car to about 75mph, what more could a father want???