No power after 2.9 Rebuild

[Kadams87]

Howdy Yall,

I picked up a Fully Loaded new for 89 Ranger supercab 4x4 that had a blown motor for $Free.99. It was my plan to take the motor, That runs amazed, out of my recently rolled base model 89 and swap it in, clean it up and make it my new daily driver. So I pulled the motor and figured I would do a budget rebuild. Long story short, blown motor had brand new top end so minus the cam I swapped it to my rebuilt motor.

I get it all in the truck and run it...no power as in a 2.3 would out run it more than likely. When I floor the truck I get a lot of noise from the intake and the motor eventually revs to the redline and shifts, 4 high or 4 low, doesn't matter. I double check the timing and it's correct, adjusted the valves again, still no joy. Fuel pressure showed solid 40 psi at idle and WOT. 100 psi from the comp test, pulled the motor and found a few rings to be out of position so I bought new rings and was overly careful putting it all back together. Cam is timed so that the crank gear is at 12 and the cam gear is at 6 (dots together in the middle). Button it all back up, put the balancer on and notice that it isn't sitting at 0, just slightly off a few degrees. But the cam is timed so I figure I can compensate with a twist of the distributor.

Motor back in the truck, compression is the same, mind you I didn't bore the block, just a good hone. still no power, no matter where the distributor is so I put it back to 10 BTDC with the spout unplugged. No cats, tried losing the muffler to see if that helped My friends and I are baffled on this one. I've built quite a few motors and never had something like this happen.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[straycat]

At first I was going to say check the valve adjustment but you say you did that again....I'd start by checking the MAF, throttle position sensor and the coolant temperature sensor. You may also want to try replacing the O2 sensors. If that still doesn't solve your problem, you may want to have your fuel injectors cleaned/flow tested and the fuel pump tested as well. This is a strange one, but I would try this out.

 

[kunar]

compression test is low IMO. these engines have hydraulic lash adjusters, you shouldnt really have to do much with the valves, i do wonder if maybe they aren't closing all the way though?

 

[Brownie Mobile]

V8 swap?

 

[Psychopete]

Adjustment on this engine just plain sucks, I think kunar's suggestion is something to check over. Check for a low vacuum signal.

 

[heptofite]

if you're hearing lots of intake noise, perhaps unmetered air leak.

 

[adsm08]

I'd start by checking the MAF,

Cat, can you walk me through checking the MAF on an 89 2.9L?


I also agree with Kunar. 100 PSI sounds a bit low for a freshly ringed engine. Which cam did you use?

 

[jhammel85]

I agree with others about the compression. Waaaayyy too low.

 

[Kadams87]

All sensors were working when the engine was removed from the rolled truck...I drove it around town a a few times after I cut the top of the cab off. I adjusted the MAF Valves...kidding. I completely agree with the compression, out of line in my book but this truck has to be cheap. I did a leak down while the engine was still on the stand. 20% all out the crank case, nothing out the heads. I should mention that this thing starts right up warm or cold, never cranks more than 2 revs.

Vacuum at idle warm is 17in, drive foot on the brake is 15, WOT Brake stand is 2. Funny thing, in park if I rev it to about 2 grand the vacuum goes up to 21, where in my book it should be. Idle air valve?

The V8 swap would be nice but I am doing a diesel swap into my other truck so funds are lacking.

 

[snoopdoggie]

Did you use the ignition module from the roll over? Several years ago I put a late year '88 BII 2.9 into a '89 BII and it would not run right with the '89 module. No acceleration or power. Put the '88 module in and ran fine. Just a few months difference in production dates required a different module. Just a thought.

 

[Kadams87]

Did you use the ignition module from the roll over? Several years ago I put a late year '88 BII 2.9 into a '89 BII and it would not run right with the '89 module. No acceleration or power. Put the '88 module in and ran fine. Just a few months difference in production dates required a different module. Just a thought.

Yes I did, both trucks are 89's though. I have already discarded the old one so if it comes down to it, I'll have to buy one.

 

[eightysevenranger]

my ranger got a 142 PSI commpression test. the mechanic said it was great for the year, picked up the truck 2 years ago with 69k miles and it still runs like a champ.
if i was you id check for leaks. i had a intake leak once and it lacked alot of power.

 

[straycat]

Cat, can you walk me through checking the MAF on an 89 2.9L?


I also agree with Kunar. 100 PSI sounds a bit low for a freshly ringed engine. Which cam did you use?

Haaaa... Gaah!! I am embarrassed, since I had an 89 BII with the 2.9 motor for over 14 years!!!! I did say MAF...not MAP... I meant MAP sensor... Manifold Air Pressure. I do know that the only MAF sensors on the 2.9 were in California that was on the 90 model...sorry!!! I remember that when I lived out there. Thanks for correcting me, Bro!!!

 

[Kadams87]

I replaced the upper intake with one I had laying around that just so happened to have a IAC, IAT, Throttle Body and TPS already bolted on it. Still no Joy. I will replace the MAP and see what that gives.

 

[Andy D]

Total shot in the dark,, I don't even know what gas pedal linkage this has but , could it be a boogered or binding linkage? Whatever it is, please post the results. TIA