2.8 Carb and emission issues

[tylerbaer]

I have been working on this 85 ford Ranger for quite some time and now that i have finally finished up my suspension its time to look into the engine. At this moment everything on my 2.8 is stock. The carb runs like shit and the emissions are all messed up. Smokes alot and dies if i let it idle to long. Im looking into getting a new carb and also an also maybe an emissions delete kit, but i have no idea where or what to go with. What parts would be necessary in order to fix this issue. I dont want to get to technical but i sure would like to get more than 8mpg.

 

[John Smith]

Hi there..

I have been working on this 85 ford Ranger for quite some time and now that i have finally finished up my suspension its time to look into the engine. At this moment everything on my 2.8 is stock. I ended up straight piping it and getting rid of the cat along with the emissions. The carb runs like shit and the emissions are all messed up. Smokes a lot and dies if i let it idle to long. Im looking into getting a new carb and also an also maybe an emissions delete kit, but i have no idea where or what to go with. What parts would be necessary in order to fix this issue. I don't want to get to technical but i sure would like to get more than 8mpg.

I haven't posted here for quite a while as I have been working on other Ford products. Sorry to hear about your mileage issue. If you search here you will find much info about how to help your situation. Some may not respond initially since it has been discussed so much maybe and much is here to read about.."durasparking", "carb upgrades", and "tuning". It isn't toooooo technical but certain things have to be done and instructions and directions are here in "ad-infinite m"..( I hope that's the right word)

The information IS here and with the right six cylinder compressor you CAN get up to 20 mpg or so depending upon your driving habits with the right mods..

Take courage and do a little searching. if ur serious not just looking for quick free advice..others will help I'm sure..

Best wishes..it will run better

 

[wildbill23c]

For one, you just broke the law, you cannot remove the cat, period. I'm currently in the process of rebuilding my exhaust system because the previous owner did what you did, then you come on here for help and information and get a bunch of people on here whining and crying about the emissions stuff. Put the cat back on and delete the section of your post where you said you removed it. As for the rest of your emissions system if you don't live in an area that does emissions testing you can remove that crap and its suggested that you do as it really isn't needed unless you live in an area like I said that tests emissions. The problem you are having sounds more like a carburetor adjustment problem, computer issue, and/or possibly a vacuum leak somewhere. Check all your vacuum lines, get your carburetor adjusted properly is the big thing. There's a section on here in the tech link that will tell you how to adjust the carb properly. Mine was getting horrible fuel economy like yours until I got the carburetor dialed in, now I'm getting around 15-16mpg in town and not really sure about highway as I don't get out of town due to lack of money and lack of reason to leave town LOL.

If I remember correctly from a member on here adsm08 said that the computer doesn't really control any of the emissions stuff, mainly a feedback computer for ignition timing stuff I believe. Hopefully adsm08 will see this soon and point you in a better direction as he is very knowledgeable when it comes to these vehicles. He really got me going on my bronco 2 when I was having what I thought were issues with the emissions system and exhaust. More or less was a computer problem, vacuum leak, and carburetor adjustment issue.

FYI: I wasn't trying to be an a** about the cat delete, but it is against federal law to remove it regardless of where you live. Thanks to adsm08 and a couple other's I took the time and looked up the law, which instead I found the update to the law which I found to be more helpful. Here's the link to the updates to the law. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/enforcement/air/documents/fuelwaivers/exhsysrepair.pdf

 

[adsm08]

I am the the first to holler about cat removal.

That said, fix your running issues before installing a new one. Otherwise your issues will destroy the new cats.


I would look into the duraspark conversion. The feedback carb system on the RBV 2.8L was revolutionary. It was also awful and usually caused more problems than it avoided. the Duraspark conversion removes the problematic electronics (something that should have never been combined with a carb in the first place) and reverts to the earlier and much more reliable system that had been used in the Pinto and Mustang II.

 

[wildbill23c]

I am the the first to holler about cat removal.

That said, fix your running issues before installing a new one. Otherwise your issues will destroy the new cats.


I would look into the duraspark conversion. The feedback carb system on the RBV 2.8L was revolutionary. It was also awful and usually caused more problems than it avoided. the Duraspark conversion removes the problematic electronics (something that should have never been combined with a carb in the first place) and reverts to the earlier and much more reliable system that had been used in the Pinto and Mustang II.

Haha, I knew you would jump in on that LOL. I'm still having massive oil issues on mine, but not through the engine it just kind of leaks out the back of the oil pan grrr. Anyhow looking into a new exhaust system from the headers to the original tailpipe location for $280 installed including a new universal cat. Does that number sound pretty reasonable? Previously was told $195 without a cat.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you can get away with it and you feel the engine is worth putting money in (smoking?) duraspark it and don't look back. If the engine isn't worth a dizzy and brainbox you need to do some soul searching about how much money you want to put in the truck (rebuild this engine or swap in something else)

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_8L_Performance.shtml

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_8Duraspark.html

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

The feedback setup combined all the problems of carburation and fuel injection but none of the benefits of either system.