Timing a 1993 2.3L!

1993rangerxl · Dec 12, 2016

This is easily done when the timing marks are available. ,however this is not the case. Outer cover is gone, period. Inner cover was broken off by the same incompetent shop that broke the outer cover. (Shop is now out of business ). I have replaced the timing belt and have it running but has no power, so I know I'm off by one or two teeth in timing. Looking for a different way to get timing done to correct position. Thanks for the help in advance.

RonD · Dec 12, 2016

The crank and Aux(oil pump) gear should be easy
Crank woodruff key should be 90deg angle from oil pan, NOT truck, engine is tilted slightly, so pointed up at 90deg from oil pan gasket

Aux gear mark is straight up

Google: 2.3l lima timing belt images

Cam gear should be fairly easy to eyeball with images, look at a few and measure off tensioner or ??

1993rangerxl · Dec 12, 2016

Would the keyway for the crank be at 12 o'clock for TDC?

RonD · Dec 13, 2016

No, but also yes, it is at 12:00 IF engine was sitting straight up and down.
When in the truck the engine sits at a slight angle

Oil pan gasket is the "level line" for the engine, so key way(woodruff key) would be at 12:00 IF "clock" was oriented to oil pan gasket line

1993rangerxl · Dec 14, 2016

Thanks for the clarification.

Mightyfordranger · Dec 16, 2016

Did ya get it fired up??

1993rangerxl · Dec 17, 2016

Running but still low power, can't even cruise in 5th gear on flat ground. Tinker with it more on Monday.

RonD · Dec 18, 2016

Rent or get a compression gauge.
Remove 1 spark plug from each cylinder, you need no compression in other cylinders to get true reading
Put compression gauge in #1 spark plug hole

Crank engine to see what compression is now, you need to "hear" 5 hits of compression stroke to get a good reading, you will know what that means when you crank the engine

1993 2.3l runs 9.2:1 compression ratio
So you should expect 165 psi compression

If at 140 or lower move cam gear over 1 tooth and retest, if lower move cam gear opposite direction
If it is running then you are only 1 or 2 teeth off, or rings are bad and you have low compression from that

If cam timing was indeed off then rotate engine manually back to crank at TDC and cam gear at its 5:00 mark, then add new timing marks on the engine for the next time, also mark for Aux gear

1993rangerxl · Dec 21, 2016

Motor has 371K miles, no doubt about low compression. Doing trial and error with timing. Work has been in the way last few days.

1993rangerxl · Dec 29, 2016

Update, think I have timing right. At least back to its slow 0 to 60 time (about 20 seconds! ) very high mileage motor so I can't expect too much. Been driving it to work last couple of days and seems to be doing ok.

RonD · Dec 29, 2016

Good work

Thanks for the update

Timing a 1993 2.3L!

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