About The 1983-1985 Ford 2.8L V6:
The Ford Cologne 2.8L V6 is a 60° cast iron block V6 engine built by the Ford Motor Company in Cologne, Germany. The 2.8L engine in the 1983-1985 Ford Ranger is the same design as the 2.8 V-6 used since 1974 in the Ford and Mercury Capri vehicles. A unique feature of the 2.8L is the timing gear vs a traditional timing chain (See picture below).
(Ford 2.8L – Timing Gear Shown)
| 2.8 Liter Specifications | |
| Engine Family | ‘Cologne’ |
| Engine Displacement | 171cid |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Arrangement of Cylinders | ‘V’ Shape |
| Bore x Stroke | 3.66 x 2.70 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.7:1 |
| Fuel System | Carburetor |
| Horsepower | 115 @ 4600rpm |
| Torque | 150 @ 2600rpm |
| Oil Pressure | 40-60psi @ 2000rpm |
|
Tune Up |
|
| Spark Plug | AWSF-42C |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.044 |
| Ignition Timing | 10 degrees BTDC |
| Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Distributor Rotation | Clockwise |
| Valve Clearance Intake | 0.014 |
| Valve Clearance Exhaust | 0.016 |
|
Capacities |
|
| Oil Capacity With Filter | 5qts |
| Cooling System Capacity (Quarts) | W/AC- 7.2 / W/O AC 7.8 |
|
Torque Specifications |
|
| Cylinder Head | 70-85 ft-lbs [3-steps (29-40) (40-51) (70-85)] |
| Main Bearing Bolts | 65-75 ft-lbs |
| Rod Bearing Bolts | 19-24 ft-lbs |
| Crank Pulley Bolts | 85-96 ft-lbs |
| Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts | 47-52 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold | 15-18 ft-lbs [5-steps (hand start & snug) (3-6) (6-11) (11-15) (15-18) (Repeat 15-18 after warm up)] |
| Exhaust Manifold | 20-30 ft-lbs |
|
Valve Specifications |
|
| Seat Angle Degree | 45 |
| Face Angle Degree | 44 |
| Spring Test Pressure | 143lbs @ 1.22in |
| Spring Installed Height | 1.58-1.61in |
| Stem-to-Clearance Intake | 0.0008-0.0025in |
| Stem-to-Clearance Exhaust | 0.0018-0.0035in |
| Stem Diameter Intake | 0.3159-0.3167in |
| Stem Diameter Exhaust | 0.3149-0.3156in |
| Crankshaft Specifications | |
| Main Bearing Journal Diameter | 2.2433-2.2441in |
| Main Bearing Oil Clearance | 0.0008-0.0015in |
| Shaft End-play | 0.004-0.008in |
| Thrust on No. | 3 |
| Connecting Rod | |
| Journal Diameter | 2.1252-2.1260in |
| Oil Clearance | 0.0006-0.0016in |
| Side Clearance | 0.004-0.011in |
| Length | 5.1386-5.1413in |
| Piston & Ring Specifications | |
| Piston to Bore Clearance | 0.0011-0.0019in |
| Ring Side Clearance Top Compression | 0.0020-0.0033in |
| Ring Side Clearance Bottom Compression | 0.0020-0.0033in |
| Ring Side Clearance Oil Control | Snug |
| Ring Gap Top Compression | 0.015-0.023in |
| Ring Gap Bottom Compression | 0.015-0.023in |
| Ring Gap Oil Control | 0.015-0.023in |
| Motorcraft 2150A Carburetor Specifications | |
| Choke Pulldown Setting | .136 |
| Fast Idle Cam Setting 1984 | V-notch |
| Fast Idle Cam Setting 1985 | Hi-Cam |
| Dechoke Setting | .250 |
| Float Setting (Wet) | .810 |
| Float Setting (Dry) | 7/16″ (1984) 1/16″ (1985) |
| Accelerator Pump Lever Location | #4 |
| Choke Cap Setting | V-notch (1984) 3NR (1985) |
| Fast Idle | 3000rpm |
Firing Order 1-4-2-5-3-6 / Distributor Rotation – Clockwise
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.