No Go!!!

[jaymegriffiths]

Just bought a 1989 ranger for parts.( tranny in '88 gone.) Needed a starter so that was replaced. Rattled like crazy so changed oil and plugs and put some special lifter treatment in it. Rattling has become somewhat tolerable but i noticed a huge lack in power! Drove it anyways. Took it on the freeway today and hit an all time record breaking 75 KM/hour, or in you funny american terms, 45 MPH. Would anyone have an idea what may be causing these problems? I drove it from the wrecking yard where i bought it at 100 the whole way no prob... bad plugs maybe???

 

[sjr53]

Make sure the spout connector isn't missing. Timing locked to 10 degrees would cause that kind of lack of power.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Update: truck can now maintain 90 km/hour (55ish miles per hour) and can do 100 (60 mph) when it gets momentum(after goin down a hill, once at 100 can stay at 100) why does it take 4 or 5 kms to get going??? also, cannot rev past 4500 rpm or so... sometimes maxes at 4 sometimes can rev a little harder.

 

[Lifted2x]

Have you tried pulling codes yet?

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.html

 

[jaymegriffiths]

No haven't checked codes... Will soon though. Wasn't too worried as it's a parts truck and im only driving it till next paycheck (in a week and a day) so... I was hoping it would be something easy.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Also maybe will mention that when im driving i rev to 38- 4000 rpms and as soon as i shift it bogs down a lot and drops rpm's like crazy... feels like 2nd is third... third is 4th etc...
Fifth gear is useless as when i put it in 5th it just loses speed...(slows down till i have to downshift)

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Make sure the spout connector isn't missing. Timing locked to 10 degrees would cause that kind of lack of power.

why would it just start acting up now?(after tune up?)

 

[Psychopete]

why would it just start acting up now?(after tune up?)

Don't know, but I might opt to hook up a vacuum gauge to get a general idea of the overall condition of the engine. IMO. Also verify that the plug wires were put back in the correct order.

Pete

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Don't know, but I might opt to hook up a vacuum gauge to get a general idea of the overall condition of the engine. IMO. Also verify that the plug wires were put back in the correct order.

Pete

I know the plug wires were put back as is, but maybe they weren't right to being with. ill try that.

 

[036speed]

check that gap on the spark plugs. some of mine were wrong once and my truck would not get out of its own way

 

[IMenriched]

Have you changed the fuel filter? air filter?
might be unrelated to the new plugs

checking vacuum readings and a compression check would go a long ways to under standing what is happening

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Have you changed the fuel filter? air filter?
might be unrelated to the new plugs

checking vacuum readings and a compression check would go a long ways to under standing what is happening

officially gave up yesterday on a busy street in the left turning lane. lts of honks and and glares followed.will start, idle then die. no revving, sometimes when you first start it and give it some gas it will rev up then bog really bad.
but w/e the good ones gettin fixed saturday. gonna do a lot of work to that one, bring it back to mint. As for the other one, it's off to the auto wreckers, to be scrapped for parts then shredded. hate to do that to a ranger, but it had to happen eventually.

 

[jaymegriffiths]

officially gave up yesterday on a busy street in the left turning lane. lts of honks and and glares followed.will start, idle then die. no revving, sometimes when you first start it and give it some gas it will rev up then bog really bad.
but w/e the good ones gettin fixed saturday. gonna do a lot of work to that one, bring it back to mint. As for the other one, it's off to the auto wreckers, to be scrapped for parts then shredded. hate to do that to a ranger, but it had to happen eventually.

meh, its gone now, fixed the 88