2.3 Timing and Spout Connectors

[rancheroo]

Hello all. Trying to set the timing on a 1988 2.3 Ranger that I just bought. I read that I have to disconnect the 'spout' connector (I guess that's an electronic version of a vaccum advance).

I found a connector that looks kind of like a large 'in line fuse' housing that I think may be the spout connector, but not sure.

When I disconnect it, the truck won't start. When I disconnect it while the truck is running, it dies...Not right away, like pulling the coil wire, but a second or two after disconnecting it.

Do I have the right connector? The truck seems to run okay, but the distributer is cranked counter-clockwise as far as it will go (the electrical connector hits something & won't go any further). Does this sound right?

Thanks in advance, Rick

 

[86 ranger]

i had trouble finding mine too. my 86 didn't have one. i traced the yellow wire with a green tracer in it from the dist. to the batt side. it had a butt splice in it half way were some body cut it to set the timeing. i put in a splice that can be unhooked easy.mine will run when that is disconnected.

 

[rancheroo]

86, thanks for the help. I kept reading about 'near the dist, on the firewall, on the driver's side wheel well, it's grey, it has two wires, it has four wires...' & still couldn't find it. Then I read something about 'behind the battery' & just knew that whoever posted that didn't know jack...

Well guess what? Right behind the battery are two yellow/green wires coming into a block that has a fuse looking plug in it. So there, the spout connector on a 1988 2.3, 5 speed, 2wd Ranger IS behind the battery (on the passenger's side) & just hangs there w/ two yellow/green wires coming together.

Thanks all for the hints, Rick