2.3 power question

[ttowndex]

My new coupe is a 2.3 auto....I'm aiming to use it for a DD for a while, till all the funds and time are in place for the 351 swap.
The only major issue it has is a lack of power (less than normal, hahaha) on take off. It idles rough, and when I put it in gear, it takes some persuading to make it move....as in rev it up in neutral, drop it in gear to get it going. Once it gets up some speed, it will go ok, but still feels weak.
Tranny seems to be shifting fine, so I think it's something in the motor. I'm wondering if it might be a vacuum problem, cause the brakes feel hard, but if I put it in neutral and then brake, they feel ok.
It'll be a few days till I get time to look at it, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?
I'll probably start on it Friday, if anyone near Tyler wants to come pitch in....

[speedfreak87]

Start with the usual, tune up blah blah.

then check for the vacuum leaks, and also get the tranny service, something don't seem right if you have to neutral drop it everytime.

[ttowndex]

Start with the usual, tune up blah blah.

then check for the vacuum leaks, and also get the tranny service, something don't seem right if you have to neutral drop it everytime.

It's def not as it should be, but for the price....i got it for a song......

that's the direction I was thinking...I'm gonna pull the radiator and have it rodded in the process, cause it's nasty....
Hopefully Friday I'll be able to pull the plugs and compression test it, check the timing, etc....don't know if I'll get to the tranny service....I don't think it's in the tranny. If it's in park, and I tromp on the gas, it stutters and slowly builds rpms, after about 2500 it will rev pretty freely.....
oil is clean with no water...no oil in the radiator, air filter is new.....
it's a 2 plug per cylinder motor.....anything special I have to do with the exhaust plugs for the compression test or timing check?

[Larry03gt]

It's def not as it should be, but for the price....i got it for a song......

that's the direction I was thinking...I'm gonna pull the radiator and have it rodded in the process, cause it's nasty....
Hopefully Friday I'll be able to pull the plugs and compression test it, check the timing, etc....don't know if I'll get to the tranny service....I don't think it's in the tranny. If it's in park, and I tromp on the gas, it stutters and slowly builds rpms, after about 2500 it will rev pretty freely.....
oil is clean with no water...no oil in the radiator, air filter is new.....
it's a 2 plug per cylinder motor.....anything special I have to do with the exhaust plugs for the compression test or timing check?


On those just leave one of the plugs in while doing the compression test. Just remember to disconect the coil so it will not start on ya.

[speedfreak87]

Junkyard turbo. lol! fix that bogging problem right up. loL!

[racer99]

Junkyard turbo. lol! fix that bogging problem right up. loL!

Nope,the cast pistons are bad enough about the skirts cracking.
Those are around 72 to 75 hp at the wheels.

[ttowndex]

On those just leave one of the plugs in while doing the compression test. Just remember to disconect the coil so it will not start on ya.

So, does it matter which plug I take out to do the test? The exhaust plug is easier to get to on some of the cylinders.....doesn't seem like it would make any difference to me....

[Larry03gt]

So, does it matter which plug I take out to do the test? The exhaust plug is easier to get to on some of the cylinders.....doesn't seem like it would make any difference to me....


No it does not matter. Just take out the easier ones on each cyl.

[1 angry notch]

Junkyard turbo. lol! fix that bogging problem right up. loL!

lmao, that will fix alot of things that might be noticable

[ttowndex]

It appears I may have found the problem.....
compression test results....
cylinder 1.....0 psi
cylinder 2.....0 psi
cylinder 3.....130 psi
cylinder 4.....130 psi

Is that bad? :omg: :gt4her: :lmao:

we shall see what it looks like when the head comes off....hopefully just a gasket.....

[racer99]

They are bad about cracking the head on the exhaust side.
Usually bad enough you can see it without any help.

[Larry03gt]

It appears I may have found the problem.....
compression test results....
cylinder 1.....0 psi
cylinder 2.....0 psi
cylinder 3.....130 psi
cylinder 4.....130 psi

Is that bad? :omg: :gt4her: :lmao:

we shall see what it looks like when the head comes off....hopefully just a gasket.....


With two cylinders completely down like that most likly a head gasket. But that 2.3 is known for having a cracked head also. If your doing the head gasket your self I would still take the head to a shop and have it checked. :mick:

[ttowndex]

I'll do it myself.....a buddy from church owns a head shop, so I'll be taking it to him to get checked......I'm changing the timing belt while I'm there, and will probably get a new radiator for it, too. The current one is nasty inside, and has a small leak where the upper hose connects. Was gonna get it fixed, but I can get a new one from Autozone for $113, so why pay 75 to have the old one fixed and cleaned, ya know?
Are the head bolts re-useable on these? I know the 85 I did a HG on long ago I reused the bolts........

[JoeC]

If it were me, I'd replace them as well.

[ttowndex]

Well, I got the head off......#1 & are both def cracked between the valves....can't tell on 3 & 4, but they have signs.....reminds me of a Conquest head, with all them cracks.....
And the HG was def blown....missing almost the entire bridge between 1 & 2.....
Taking it to the machine shop to see if it's worth salvaging......

[Larry03gt]

Well, I got the head off......#1 & are both def cracked between the valves....can't tell on 3 & 4, but they have signs.....reminds me of a Conquest head, with all them cracks.....
And the HG was def blown....missing almost the entire bridge between 1 & 2.....
Taking it to the machine shop to see if it's worth salvaging......


Good luck. But your best bet is to find one in good shape or order a new one from ford(Expensive)