Ignition Timing Problems

[88_ranger]

Hello everyone...I recently finished replacing a bad piston in my 88 Ranger with the 2.3 EFI with 4 spark plugs. When I was putting everything back together and before I put the timing belt on I set the camshaft pully to point to the middle of the three timing marks from the cover after the intake valve opened and then closed and before the exhaust valve opened and this is on #1 cylinder. Then I have the crankshaft pointed at the TC mark on the valve cover so that #1 piston is all the way to the top. Then I rotated the third pulley that moves the distributor button around so that it was pointed at #1 spark plug on the distributor cap. Then I put the timing belt on.
After everything was back together I took the truck for a test drive and everything is smooth except that I feel like I have barely enough power to get the truck going. And when I drive it on the highway I have to downshift or else I won't make it up the hill. Did I do something wrong? I was going to try and set the timing with a gun but I could not find the spout connector so the computer kept trying to set the timing on its own.

Any ideas of what I've done wrong? Like I said it runs really smooth but I lost a lot of power! I know it's only supposed to have 90 HP but I'm sure something is wrong. Thank you in advance for your help everyone!!!

 

[Ranger44]

You need to find that spout connector and pull it. Then set the time.

If you do that and there is still a problem or notice that the timing is very retarded or too advanced (and out of adjustment range) then it's possible the belt is off by a tooth.

I'm not sure where it's at on a 88' 2.3, but it'll look like this:

 

[88_ranger]

Spout Connector

I've been looking and looking for that spout connector but I can not find it anywhere. I even had a buddy of mine that is really good at cars take a look and he couldn't find it either. It's almost like it doesn't even exhist on my harness. But it's got to be there. I took a look with the timing light without pulling it and I can see the computer making changes to the timing at different rpm's so I know it's got to be there. I looked at the harness coming off the distributor module and everything and can't seem to locate the darn thing anywhere!

 

[88_ranger]

Spout Connector

I went to the Ford dealer today with a 6 pack of beer and coaxed one of the mechanics to come out and take a look for me to help me locate the Spout Connector and he could not find it either...hmmm...quite the little mystery I've got on my hands here!
He told me just to go ahead and slowly advance the timing until you get spark knock and then back it off just enough for it to go away and then I should be good to go. How does that sound to you guys?

 

[87xlranger]

That's What I did to mine, I left the ditributor just loose enough that I could turn it and went for a road trip I accelerated in 1st slowly and 2nd slowly and then I put it into 5th and punched it. If you get pinging than retard it if you dont get it then advance it, as soon as you get to where it's pinging on you back it of just 1 r.c.h. (rats c*nt Hair) LOL

My truck works just fine, it's as close to 10 Deg. without a light.

 

[creepinjeepster]

The spout connector is usually found on the battery side of the engine compartment. Most that I have always found on the different size engine's have still been right next to the heater fan box that goes through the fire wall on the passenger side. Sometimes it is wrapped underneath the harness that runs next to the box. Like the photo in a previous post, All I have seen has had the same pink or red wires going to it.

 

[88_ranger]

Timing is much better now!

Hey there everybody...I got tired of looking for the spout connector so I just went ahead and tried to change timing by rotating the distributor without a timing light. At first I was rotating the distributor clockwise which I believe is Advancing the timing but the truck nearly stalled out at idle. So I rotated the distributor counterclockwise which I believe it retarding the timing by a good 1/2 inch and wow what a difference. The truck is running so much better! I can actually make it up a hill now...Yes! I still need to tweak and peak the timing but my Ranger is running much better now!
Thank you everybody for your input on getting this truck running better! My Ranger isn't much to look at but I love this little truck!!!