2.3L ('83-'97) Amateur hour 2.3

[Aushkoshbgosh]

I'm fixing up my 88 ranger. 2.3 2wd with almost no mechanical experience at all. What could go wrong.

This truck got me through some hard times and I wanna get it working again. In part for sentimental reasons and in part because I want the know how.

Not asking for help at the moment though later down the line I may need some assistance and so far this forums been a big help. Mostly I'm just documenting progress and keeping notes to myself

As far as I can tell this is the to-do list, what I've already done, and some problems I'm facing.

-Replaced the cylinder head.
This I finished yesterday, took me a while to find a good one Seems like an exact match. Two step Torqued 50 to 90 pounds easy stuff.
Reattach exhaust manifold. Easy I'll get that done this morning

-Rebuild intake manifold and throttle body.
Took the whole thing apart (probably didn't have to but I wanted to check it for damage and clean it. Had a bunch of carbon on it and I was worried it might be a problem. Far as I can tell it's just oil that leaked from the head.

-Timing belt.
Yea so, yesterday I realized there are no timing marks on the inner belt shroud, my new head or aux sprocket, and no clear ways to adjust it not gonna worry about that for now I got it tdc the head was exposed anyway so it wasn't hard but I'm reading up on how to set the timing marks I'm sure that'a gonna be fun. For now I got it on and in place

-Check power steering.
I got a leak somewhere and since I got it off and taken apart I might as well see if I can spot where it is.

-Attach the fuel line
(check for damage and make sure it's fully attached to the front tank at least.
The rear tank hasn't worked since I bought the vehicle but I'm not worried about that. I also need to fix/replace the sender for the fuel indicator of I can

-Replace damaged fuel hoses
under the first tank and between the filter and throttle. The hoses were pretty dry two of them cracked when I was pulling it off. Wooh
I want to See if I can repair rear tank to (not essential)
But I'd like to see if it's rusted through it if it's just poorly connect

-Attach distributor cap then sparkplug wires and plugs, vacuums easy stuff I hope

-Rebuild the pulley system
water pump ac and all that, Ive had to replace the belts before this probably isnt an issue


I also replaced the alternator and negative battery cable a while back Those seemed to be working (though if I'm being honest I did a sort of slapdash job with the alternator) I'm just bringing it up in case it's it helps diagnose problems later on down the line
And uh.. put the radiator back in. Coolant system needs to be flushed... Also I should change the oil check the breaks
Refill power steering (I replaced the pump it was screeching like a bat)
Probably need to check the breaks

After all that if I get it running I'm gonna buy it some new tires and get the alignment checked for my victory lap.

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Alrighty
What's left
I got the manifolds bolted on but I'm missing a few bolts on both sides gotta remember to do that
Uper and lower intake is reattached but I gotta figure out what hoses go where and plugs go where

I've got the pullys all in there right spots and I need to throw the belts on get that hooked up but I'll probably need to adjust the timing before it'll run proper there's no timing marks on this thing it's sort of a nightmare
I may actually have a pro work on that assuming I get it rolling in the first place
Today I'm reattaching the radiator and aur intake to the throttle and I'm gonna start fixing the throttle body and I may as well throw on the distributor and sparkplugs I guess...

Really really need to remember to find/replace those missing bolts before I try to fire anything up
And ofcourse the dried out old fuel line broke when I was taking it apart so I gotta solve that puzzle next...

That's where my intuitive knowledge ends and I gotta start reading its getting more technical especially trying to hook up the right vacuum tubes and wiring I'm kinda dreading that part, the whole wiring was a rats nest in the first place I imagine it'll take a while

 

[RobbieD]

One step at a time, is how you get there.

Really really need to remember to find/replace those missing bolts before I try to fire anything up

I tape a note (or list) over the ignition switch.

If, of course, I can remember to do that.

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Goodnotes good notes
That's mentioned that I really got to remember to put coolant and oil in it
And the filter
Right so
I didn't so much this last couple days
Had other battles to fight
But I've narrowed it down. To finding where a few pages go
And finishing touches

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Yea..i'td be easier for sure

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Anyone know what goes here? Is this the heater hose or is it something else

 

[scotts90ranger]

That's either where the PCV hose goes or where the charcoal canister line goes to if memory serves

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Thank you
I'm almost done, just gotta find out where this last hose goes, then put back the loose bits radiator a bracket and so final bolts on the manifolds.
The. Oil and coolant and I can do a test run
Then I gotta get to timing it
And fix the headlamps I accidentally burned out

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Should probably make a note to put clamps on some of the hoses that don't have them. ..
Fuel filter needs a clip
As does the the oil air separator,
And the fuel line pay still have a leak
I gotta remember to sacrifice a goat
Maybe I should clean the carbon can
Oh and I gotta reconnect that wire that I fried on the solenoid
(I left the battery plugged in and made a circuit through the headlamps hopefully not too much damage)
I was also thinking of plugging my heater hose? apparently it's not much help for me out here in Texas

 

[RobbieD]

I vote for the goat.

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

I'm thinking about buying a repair manual online I can't find an 88 manual but I got an 87 that should be fine

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

A lot of things will be different from 97 to 88.

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

Oh typo XD no it's An 87

 

[Aushkoshbgosh]

I imagine a 97 would be a bit different yea

 

[scotts90ranger]

'yeah, they're pretty much the same from '85 through '88, lot of changes by '97