1992 engine problems, cam???

[Dodahsand]

1992 engine problems, cam. *UPDATE*.

I am a newbie with a 1992 2.3L ford ranger, 5 speed standard shift, A/C. It has been running great with 145,000 mile., until today!

The temperature this morning was about 54 degrees. I started my truck, sat there about 10 seconds, put it in reverse, let out the clutch, rolled in reverse about 5 feet and BUMP, it felt like I ran over a possum and at the same time the engine stopped. No sputtering or anything. Just stopped. Pushed in the clutch again and starter engaged and turned the engine but the engine would not fire. On and on...

I know there are a hundred things that could have happened and needs checked. But I think my cam broke. My timing belts is in tact and no visible fluid loss Oil or radiator fluid. Tomorrow i'll pick up a compression tester and start there.

But here is my question. If and only if I have damaged the engine and it would need to be replaced What would be a better engine than the 1992 2.3L??? It's never failed me for great gas mileage. Average has been 23 to 25 MPG and like other 2.3L low power. But I want more power without the loss of MPG> Thanks.

 

[adsm08]

Well the cam just breaking is unlikely. If that is truly what you suspect I would not mess around with a compression test. I would pop the valve cover off and crank the engine while watching it. If something has happened and you truly have no compression you should be able to hear that while cranking. The engine will spin much faster and sound like it is wheezing while you crank if you have no compression. If the cam broke in the middle that engine should fire and run on two cylinders.

Even if you did break the cam, the 2.3L is a non-interference engine, meaning the only thing broken would be the cam.


As for more power with the same MPG, well that's not really how physics works. The 2.5 might get you close to that goal, but without doing a LOT of mod work to fit a newer engine in the truck, with fancier tuning and such, you will have to pick power or MPG.

A reman engine with fresh rings and valves/seats might perk it up a bit though.

 

[Dodahsand]

UPDATE:
After reading the Ford manual, calling around seeing who has what tools that can be rented, costs, who can help, listening to wifey about the cost... I finally got her to run. Here is my secrete. I let it set for a day, held my breath, when out and gave it one more try before committing! Turned the key and BAM*** she fired right up without a hiccup.

Silly me... I guess I flooded it somehow??? Well anyway, thanks for the advice and see ya next time.