Intake and elec problems

[Ed Brown]

Just purchased 1984 used 4x4 ranger V6 not sure of engine size 2bbl carb would not idle, rebuilt carb, runs a little better acting like vacuum leak at base plate, checked gaskets another plate on top of manifold going to pull it to look for vacuum leak. sugestions?? Also electrical problem all gauges in dash do not work where to look or what to look for?? Any help out there?

 

[drsvox]

hey ed. what makes you think it's just at the carb base? not familiar with the 2.9s, but if it's a 2.8 without duraspark, the vacuum leak could be just about anywhere. as for the gauges, they could all be bad (wouldn't surprise me), or the circuitry behind the dash could be toast.

just my hobbyist thoughts...

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Show some pics of what you have. The guages all connect through the grey 8 wire connector by the ignition coil. Pics of the carb and distributor. If the wiring looks good measure voltage at the oil pressure and water temp senders on the engine with the key on run. You should get around 8volts pulsing. If not it may be a fuse or possibly the voltage limiter on the back of the guage cluster.

 

[4x4prepper]

If all the gauges are wonky, it is most likely the IVR behind the dash. There are topics about how to test and how to replace with something better.

 

[RonD]

Just purchased 1984 used 4x4 ranger V6 not sure of engine size 2bbl carb would not idle, rebuilt carb, runs a little better acting like vacuum leak at base plate, checked gaskets another plate on top of manifold going to pull it to look for vacuum leak. sugestions?? Also electrical problem all gauges in dash do not work where to look or what to look for?? Any help out there?

Welcome to TRS

You have a 2.8l V6 if you have a carburetor, info on that engine here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_8L_Performance.shtml

You will most likely have to pull out the instrument cluster and test wires, could just be a bad fuse, so you can also pull each fuse and test it with OHM meter to see
I don't have a wiring diagram for that year so can't point you to a specific fuse

In the engine bay there will be a starter RELAY on the inner fender(often called starter solenoid)
The Battery positive cable will connect to one post on this Relay, and there will be several other wires on that SAME post, this post is the 12volt power distribution for the whole vehicle
Most of the other wires on this post will be "fusible links", these are 6"-8" wires that act as a slow blow fuse, these can get corroded connections where they connect to the Wire/system, they are protecting, and these connections are often unseen because they were taped up in the main harness
So just a heads up when 12volt power, lack of it, seems to be the problem

 

[enginepaul]

Guages: You may need a new Instrument Cluster Voltage Regulator