2.3L ('83-'97) What is this part?

[JohnPsz]

I'm looking for the part number or at least the name of this part to help searching for a replacement. After pulling the head and replacing it, my son snapped the stud that the timing tensioner spring pushes against. I'm pretty sure this part can be from many different years, but his truck is a '97.

 

[JohnPsz]

With a lot more google searching I found what looks like the stud in question. It is listed as the tensioner spring stop in the one I found. However the ford OE part number (E7ZZ-6E008-A) listed is old and hard to find anything other than ebay postings with that number. Does anyone else have a newer part number or at way to make sure the part number listed above is good for a 97, the catalog shows it for the Ford 2.3 from 74-99...

 

[JoshT]

I would say yes, because that same basic timing tensioner setup was used for all of the Limas and the 2.3L blocks are pretty much interchangable.

While I understand wanting the right part, you could probably get away with threading a long bolt in there. The only thing that does is provide something for the tensioner spring to rest against. Something else to consider is that the "performance" timing tensioner that Esslinger Engineering sells isn't even designed to use the spring.

From the Esslinger Engineering page:

Hints: The Esslinger "Heavy-Duty" timing belt tensioner does not come with the roll pin for the OEM tensioner spring. This is done on purpose because we do not recommend using the aged spring. Instead, use a conventional 10mm hex bolt with a washer This allows more surface area to hold the tensioner tight, and also allows the installer to set the tension correctly. We recommend setting the timing belt tension so that you can twist the timing belt between 45 and 90 degrees between the cam and intermediate shaft gears. Tighter than that and you risk burning up the front cam bearing, or bending the bearing axle in the timing belt tensioner.

Just dropping those as options. If I were in a hurry to get things back together, I'd certainly consider them. If I had time, I'd probably order the part you listed and and wait.

 

[JohnPsz]

We ended up getting the E7ZZ-6E008-A from ebay, actually we got it in a 2 pack so we have an extra if we ever need one again. We got the truck put back together yesterday and were able to take the truck for it's first test drive with the new cylinder head, we are way up on power over where it was with the misfire/cracked head and 1/2 the compression on the number 1 cyl.

During the test drive, we had a lot of white smoke and I was wondering if we might have pinched/scratched the head gasket when installing the new head, but it went away within about 2-3 minutes. But, we'll keep an eye on that and see how things play out, I sure don't want to but a 3rd head gasket on it in less than 3 months, lol. At this point everything in the motor, minus the short block, is completely new and is working as expected.