2.3 troubles

[Mutant Pony]

I'm not sure on that particular model but, removing the EGR may cause the computer to go into "limp home mode". It will run bad and get horrible fuel mileage. It is also a federal offense to remove any emissions equipment. Whether you do it or not is not something to be discussed here.
As far as the problem with your truck goes, it is not a vacuum leak, you already proved that. I your idle goes up when you disconnect a vacuum hose then you have no other leak.
Did you replace the head gasket? Did you have the head checked for cracks? Did you verify that you are not leaking coolant internally anymore?

 

[Mark_88]

Another option if you are running the stock exhaust is to get the shorty header from a 93 or newer...

The EGR can be connected to the O2 sensor hole or you may need to drill another hole if you have an O2 sensor in yours...not sure if the one I have has two holes or one...but I plugged up the EGR recently due to other issues I was having...not sure if I will connect it later if it's not needed though...but the shorty header is lighter and should allow a bit more exhaust flow...

 

[Leprechaun86]

In reply to your ?'s i visually checked the head for cracks everything seemed fine. When i cleaned the surface of the head as well i saw no cracks. Ill have to check to see if coolant is still leakin in block today when i check the coolant level.

 

[Leprechaun86]

I didnt think about this but could the old head bolts have stretched to where they are not tight enough that maybe coolant is still leaking in?????? Im gonna buy em tomorrow and give that a try if thats the case i guess the heads warped and ill have to take it somewhere i hope not though cause i dont wanna take this thing apart again.

 

[Leprechaun86]

and to add to that the truck has 213,000 on what i believe to be the original engine.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I doubt very highly that there is a problem with the bolts. 2300 ford engines don't blow head gaskets, they crack heads. Sometimes cracks are really hard to see.

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

Aren't the newer bolts a one time use thing. They stretch when you install them and require replacement when service is done.

James

 

[Leprechaun86]

Well i guess im at a loss here. Becasue when i was cleanin the headed with a scraper and razor it got caught on nothin. And i was hopin it would be stretched bolts cause nothin else seems to be doin it?

 

[feellnfroggy]

Well i guess im at a loss here. Becasue when i was cleanin the headed with a scraper and razor it got caught on nothin. And i was hopin it would be stretched bolts cause nothin else seems to be doin it?

I have ahd 3 2.3 liter mustangs and they do blow head gaskets, rather easy, the old iron head do crack but they shouldnt warp.. the head bolts ARE a one time thing, and its a requirement to put in new head bolts if changing head gaskets. Unless of course you can find a good set of headstuds, then they are reusable.... magnaflux is the process of two powerful magnets on the head and a metallic flake powder sprinkled on the head, the metal flake automatically congregate at the crack if it is cracked. should cost your 25 to 50 bux to magnaflux the head. another 25-50 fo the head bolts.

 

[Simple_serf]

Magnaflux the head.

One thng not mentioned....Idle air control. I think your truck has one....Check the connection and test the valve. When changing plugs, if you losten the intake, i could see this connection getting screwed up.

 

[Leprechaun86]

Alright guys still at a loss here. Besides pulling the head of again i guess how do you check the idle air unit on an 89 4 banger. I put new head bolts in a torqued to spec but truck still runnin like shit.

 

[feellnfroggy]

well if all else fails change the plug wires again and check for faulty plugs 'even tho new' did you ever change the coils? even one terminal one the coil bad and the truck runs a basic timing, but not ebuff to be good...

 

[Leprechaun86]

Well after taking a drive and letting it cool off i checked the coolant level and it was down so im assuming the head is cracked or warped so junk yard here I come.