Skip to main content
Topic: Identifing a 2.3 Motor? (Read 1197 times) previous topic - next topic

Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

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
Latest Find, 1985 FILA Style, 5 Spd. 4 Cyl. Turbo Coupe Thunderbird, Clean underside, Rough around the edges, well worthy of total restoration. A follow up to my 89 5.0 Mustang project.

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #1
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.

Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #2
Thanks
Attached is a close up of the intake
The Raised Numbers  read as follows;
RF-E59E-9425-C8A      &    1342
Latest Find, 1985 FILA Style, 5 Spd. 4 Cyl. Turbo Coupe Thunderbird, Clean underside, Rough around the edges, well worthy of total restoration. A follow up to my 89 5.0 Mustang project.

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #3
Do you have larger pics of the engine bay, cant really see anything with details.

"Beating the hell out of other peoples cars since 1999"
1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo Convertible
2015 Ford Focus SE 1.0 EcoBoost

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #4
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.

Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Re: Identifing a 2.3 Motor?

Reply #5
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.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300