1986 Ford Ranger 2.0 Idle/Stalling Problem Help!

[ianthegreat]

How can I clean out that block? What happens if I get water in the cylinders?

I've got the whole head clean out and re-oiled. Looks great. But there are large amounts of rust in the block and I need to know the best way to get this out.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

shop vac and carb cleaner.

 

[ianthegreat]

I've got the head cleaned up and have used carb cleaner while gently spraying water inside to flush it out. I had about a half can of the seafoam left over from when I ran that through the engine a few months ago and poured it into the block. I'm going to let it sit overnight and flush it out one last time tomorrow.

I think I'm going to keep the same timing belt. It looks brand new (maybe the previous owner changed it??) I also went ahead and pulled out the heater rad. It was surprising clean w/ no buildup blocking passages. Cleaned it out and reinstalled.

Now that I'm at this step I can't help but think I've not found solid evidence of the issue. Once the engine drops to low idle it starts bogging on me. Hopefully the new gaskets, seals, and cleaned out block/head will point me towards the next step! :/ Can't wait to bolt it back and up and try it out.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I've got the head cleaned up and have used carb cleaner while gently spraying water inside to flush it out. I had about a half can of the seafoam left over from when I ran that through the engine a few months ago and poured it into the block. I'm going to let it sit overnight and flush it out one last time tomorrow.

I think I'm going to keep the same timing belt. It looks brand new (maybe the previous owner changed it??) I also went ahead and pulled out the heater rad. It was surprising clean w/ no buildup blocking passages. Cleaned it out and reinstalled.

Now that I'm at this step I can't help but think I've not found solid evidence of the issue. Once the engine drops to low idle it starts bogging on me. Hopefully the new gaskets, seals, and cleaned out block/head will point me towards the next step! :/ Can't wait to bolt it back and up and try it out.

thats your call on the timing belt. but just keep in mind. its safe insurance to do it now. there cheap. and sice you are looking right at it. its better to do it now then have to tear the engine apart again.

but thats just my suggestion

 

[dangerranger83]

Cant wait to see if this truck will run properly, I know it will.

As for the timing belt, I'd replace it while I was there IMO.

 

[Mark_88]

Considering the few posts you showed with all the obstacles in the way of the timing belt...I'd say change it also...just to be on the safe side...and to keep this thread below 1,000 posts...lol

 

[Louisville86]

Hey ianthegreat:

What a saga your thread is! Great that you are sticking with it - people pay good money to go to school and learn what you are experiencing first-hand. Hope it works out for your truck. I think it's my '86's cousin or something (also Colonial White). But mine is a 2.9 longbed with a blue interior.

BTW, you own a Ranger "S," which was a special model that was built with light weight and low cost in mind. They weren't available with the 2.0 in California/high altitude areas, probably because the carbureted engine wouldn't pass the more stringent smog tests.

Keep going and let us know how it works out.

 

[Louisville86]

Nomenclature

By the way, if you're wondering what the little plate that used to be on your tailgate (upper right corner) should look like:

It should say "OVERDRIVE." In '86 it would say "4x4" if it was 4WD, "OVERDRIVE" if it was an "S" (2.0 engine), or "ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION" on a 2.3 or 2.9 2WD. Like this:

The plates seem to fall off a lot; I found a replacement for mine on an Aerostar in the salvage yard, but Ford put them on all sorts of cars including Mercurys and Lincolns.

 

[dangerranger83]

Anymore progress?????

 

[ianthegreat]

Anymore progress?????

I wanted to wait and get an engine lift so I could replace the oil tank gasket, but I think I'll just try and get it all put back together this weekend. I need to get a buddy's help to put the head back on - it's so heavy!!

I'm keeping it nice and oiled with that marvel mystery oil currently.

 

[ianthegreat]

By the way, if you're wondering what the little plate that used to be on your tailgate (upper right corner) should look like:



It should say "OVERDRIVE." In '86 it would say "4x4" if it was 4WD, "OVERDRIVE" if it was an "S" (2.0 engine), or "ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION" on a 2.3 or 2.9 2WD. Like this:

The plates seem to fall off a lot; I found a replacement for mine on an Aerostar in the salvage yard, but Ford put them on all sorts of cars including Mercurys and Lincolns.

Cool, thanks for the info. I'll keep a look out for that plate now.

 

[dangerranger83]

If I lived close enough to you i'd let you use my engine hoist and help put the head back on.

 

[23L88]

i remember when i took the head off mine, DANG that was incredibly heavy! Just imagine a little 15 year old sitting in the engine compartment lifting that sucker up and then realizing he is all by himself and has to find a really safe place to set it in order to not damage anything and change positions....good times

 

[Mark_88]

I'm no powerhouse, but I managed to get it off and on by myself...the hardest part was placing the gasket under it and making sure I didn't move the gasket before letting it down...

 

[ianthegreat]

I got the head put back on, but can't get the timing belt off. I cannot figure out how to remove the pulley thing at the bottom which is covering up the timing belt. If it was removed I could just slide the belt off.