2.3L ('83-'97) 83 2.3 L in a 76 Pinto

[bdog0924]

If I went out right now to start it, it would have compression, start and run for about 2 seconds, then die with no compression again. After about an hour to hour and a half, I could try again with the same result.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sure sounds like lifter pump up to me. Do these engines have hydraulic lifters?

 

[bdog0924]

Yes. The only original thing in the head is the cam. I couldn't afford a new one with everything else I got into the car and it's going to be a driver. No hotrod.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Did you use new lifters? Its an overhead cam, so no push rods. Is there any adjustments on the rockers for lifter preload?
I've never been into one of these motors, can you show a pic of top end under the valve cover?

 

[bdog0924]

Yes on lifters, but there is no place for adjustment.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

.

 

[bdog0924]

Yes it has hydraulic lifters.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I just went out to my storage. There is a 2.3l that I got in trade for some work. It has been built for salt lakes racing, so not stock...
However, I think it would be based on stock type engine. There is no hydraulic lifters. There are no lifters at all. There is a place to adjust the ball end of the rockers to provide clearances needed at the valve tip. Does yours look similar to this? If so you need to back off the adjusters because as the engine heats the clearances close up. And if too close to start with the valves will end up not closing onto the seats when warmed up. This is what it sounds like is happening....

First pic, left side, under the spring is where the adjustment is made. To the right in between the valve stem and rocker is where the measurements for clearance would be taken with feeler gauges. Generally the intake would have less clearance than the exhaust.

 

[bdog0924]

Mine is not like that. It doesn't have the spring keeper on the rocker adjuster. Mine has hydrolic lifters where your adjusters are. They look very similar to your adjusters, but they are hydraulic lifters.

 

[Mechrick]

What's the oil pressure?

I would suspect either the oil pressure is way above stock or somehow the return passages for oil out of the lifter bases are restricted. Are the lifters shimmed at the base? There are oil bleed holes at the base of the lash adjuster boss that should bleed excess oil when the engine is running.

If there was a high volume oil pump installed that may be the culprit. According to Rick Byrnes (the guy who built a 2.3L landspeed Merkur) the stock pump is more than adequate and a high volume pump will cause problems.

 

[bdog0924]

When I got it running, oil pressure was about 40 pounds. I put a stock oil pump in it. I don't believe the lifters are shimmed. The guy that built the head would have mentioned it. I have been in lots of contact with him about this issue.

 

[Mechrick]

How much spring pressure do you have? As an example, you shouldn't be able to depress a valve spring with your fingers with the follower on the cam base circle.

I'd be tempted to remove the valve cover and spin the oil pump driveshaft (under the distributor) with a drill to make sure the lash adjusters are bleeding off....

 

[bdog0924]

I have lots of spring pressure. I had dual springs installed the second time the head was done. I have turned it over with the valve cover off, everything appeared to be working as it should. I have not tried just spinning the auxiliary gear.

 

[bdog0924]

Thank you everyone for the tips and ideas.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I just went out to my storage. There is a 2.3l that I got in trade for some work. It has been built for salt lakes racing, so not stock...
However, I think it would be based on stock type engine. There is no hydraulic lifters. There are no lifters at all. There is a place to adjust the ball end of the rockers to provide clearances needed at the valve tip. Does yours look similar to this? If so you need to back off the adjusters because as the engine heats the clearances close up. And if too close to start with the valves will end up not closing onto the seats when warmed up. This is what it sounds like is happening....

View attachment 122693View attachment 122694

First pic, left side, under the spring is where the adjustment is made. To the right in between the valve stem and rocker is where the measurements for clearance would be taken with feeler gauges. Generally the intake would have less clearance than the exhaust.

From what I've heard the only adjustable setup from the factory was '83 Rangers but most have the hydraulic lash adjusters that are fully automatic, apparently you want the adjustable solid setup when you are running high rpm like 8k...

Trying to think back over the years but I don't think I've heard of this problem but it definitely sounds like lifters that either aren't getting oil or something... If you pulled the valve cover is there a bunch of oil on the top end or dry?