89 ranger problems

[JacksonC18]

I have a 89 ford ranger 2.9 v6 and its just seems like its just under powered. ive put new plugs,plug wires, fuel filter, cap and rotor,and just all kind of tune up parts on it. i just dont know what it could be it just seems like it well just basically underpowered. idk what it could be i thought maybe vacum could be leaking or something but checked it all and its ok but if any one has any idea where a good place to start checking i would appreciate it

 

[Mechanickid]

The newest 2.9 is 17 years old by now.They just get tired. Every 2.9 Ive owned was underpowered. You can check your timing and make sure your MAF is clean. Check your fuel rail pressure make sure its between 30-40 psi.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

WHAT! Your 2.9 doesn't hall ass? That's just strange......Ha Ha

What gearing do you have man? Check your compression. How many miles are on your engine?

If you have good compression, fuel pressure, ignition and everything else checks out fine and you want more power, get aluminum under drive pulleys and change your gearing. That will make a noticeable difference. Have fun man.

 

[cocoasranger]

Check your timing advance and check the throttle cable for slack. There is a trick you can do with plastic ties which will take out any play on the cable if that is part of the problem. Just search "plastic tie" on TRS to find it.

 

[Psychopete]

Move to 2.9L forum? Underpowered is in the eye of the beholder, can you describe more of the problems your experiencing? Do you have a check engine light present, and does it actually function?

Check your timing advance and check the throttle cable for slack. There is a trick you can do with plastic ties which will take out any play on the cable if that is part of the problem. Just search "plastic tie" on TRS to find it.

+1

get aluminum under drive pulleys

There are none available. +1 to gears tho.

make sure your MAF is clean.

It's likely that his 2.9L does not have a MAS.

Pete

 

[IRKillroy]

I'm certain the have a MAP sensor though... it's on the firewall... the 3.0l started using MAF sensors... what a headache those are.

 

[Psychopete]

I'm certain the have a MAP sensor though... it's on the firewall... the 3.0l started using MAF sensors... what a headache those are.

FWIW, some California emissions 2.9Ls did have a provision for a MAF sensor. I am running one of those computers in my '88 with a 3.8L MAS from a Taurus. It's a pretty simple swap for an 88 and up since neither systems had EGR. There's a lot of info about it under mass air conversion in the tech library. I swapped over because I wanted to use a non-computer friendly camshaft.

Some people have had MAPs in different spots, but typically they are on the firewall. They output a frequency depending on the amount of engine vacuum.

Pete