I have a 2.3 that was in a dirt car that was super fast, I have it in a 80 Bobcat using stock carb and exhaust. have checked timing 30 plus times its right,getting fire to all Cly's.car runs week and ruff. the motor had head work a lanati cam. header, race carb when in race car. I got the motor few years later put new main,rod bearings, high flow oil pump. Put the motor in hooked all the stock stuff up I know it was not going to run like it did just thought it would run better. Any help I guess I will try headers and carb but wanted to see how it worked before I put more money in it. I have built a turbo and a pinto before and 10 diff motors never had this prob, hope I can get some HELP. THANKS
Quote from: hotrodscoot on January 20, 2008, 11:18:22 PM
I have a 2.3 that was in a dirt car that was super fast, I have it in a 80 Bobcat using stock carb and exhaust. have checked timing 30 plus times its right,getting fire to all Cly's.car runs week and ruff. the motor had head work a lanati cam. header, race carb when in race car. I got the motor few years later put new main,rod bearings, high flow oil pump. Put the motor in hooked all the stock stuff up I know it was not going to run like it did just thought it would run better. Any help I guess I will try headers and carb but wanted to see how it worked before I put more money in it. I have built a turbo and a pinto before and 10 diff motors never had this prob, hope I can get some HELP. THANKS
A "race" engine, or any engine that was 'built' will need to have all it's components 'matched' at least to some degree. I.E.: If it was built so that it needed a size 'X' carb., carb. 'Y' might not allow it to run well. This can hold true for other part of the engine as well. If it is running a super high C/R, the stock ignition system and timing might not be good enough to allow it to run well. All-out N/A race engines tend to be a little temprimental anyway even when everything is correct, and with that they can be difficult if used in a 'street' car.
My questions: Did that car run good with the parts you installed on the race engine? Is the engine ground strap intact? Is the spark advance in the dizzy in a fixed (race) position? Has the head been milled (will effect valve timing)?
Bill
WHATS THE COMPRESSION RATIO?!?!?!?! If its above 9.5 to 1 you can forget it. I put my old mini-stock motor in my 86 ranger just as it was with 13.5 to 1 and it would NOT run on even a mix of cam2 and regular. Had to back the compression up to get it right. If its out of a race car I bet the compressions to high for pump fuel and it will never smooth out. After backing the compression up and some tweaking it ran great. Also bigger engines run at higher idle. I had to run 4.62's in it after I got it running smooth. Man that thing launched!!!! WEEEEEEE! Hope this helps.
HotRodScoot,
My turn.....Is there a catalytic converter on that Bobcat????? Throat that converter. I mean a guy who has checked the timing 30 times has got to be puzzled. When I am puzzled I might check 5 times. That would account for the weak part...but the rough...Hmmmm...Have you checked to see if the carb float might be saturated with fuel and is letting the bowl level get to high. How do the plugs look? Are they dark??? I don't know how anyone can run low test in anything.
HighTest_Horse
Sounds like the cams out of time with the motor. Check the type of lifters because most mini-stock 2.3 run solid lifters and you can't switch.
I have no problem running 87 in my wagon.Even at 9.8to1 no pinging and lots of power.
Quote from: dick1172762 on January 22, 2008, 10:15:23 PM
Sounds like the cams out of time with the motor. Check the type of lifters because most mini-stock 2.3 run solid lifters and you can't switch.
I like your Idea Richard!!
If the engine HAD solid lifters maybe they put a restrictor in the head and the lifters are not pumping up!!!
TONY! Also if the cam is retarded one tooth (12 deg I think) it'll run, but have no power. Don't ask me how I know this, just take my word for it.
Quote from: dick1172762 on January 22, 2008, 10:15:23 PM
Sounds like the cams out of time with the motor. Check the type of lifters because most mini-stock 2.3 run solid lifters and you can't switch.
this would be my guess too.
if u r checking the timing over and over u must have some knowledge of engine tuning. do u have a cam timing pulley? if not this would be a good place to start.
i have had to have my old man set mine on all the engine i have built. i would hafta admit he's a better mechanic than me.
maybe this will help
http://www.fordpinto.com/video/view_video.php?viewkey=5a2e075a1a4a6e1b9770
Quote from: apintonut on February 03, 2008, 04:31:05 AM
this would be my guess too.
if u r checking the timing over and over u must have some knowledge of engine tuning. do u have a cam timing pulley? if not this would be a good place to start.
i have had to have my old man set mine on all the engine i have built. i would hafta admit he's a better mechanic than me.
maybe this will help
http://www.fordpinto.com/video/view_video.php?viewkey=5a2e075a1a4a6e1b9770
By cam timing pulley, do you mean a Degree Wheel? Cuz the 4cyls already come equipped with a cam timing pulley. LOL
yes! a Degree Wheel. as seen in video linked to reply
Quote from: hotrodscoot on January 20, 2008, 11:18:22 PM
I have a 2.3 that was in a dirt car that was super fast, I have it in a 80 Bobcat using stock carb and exhaust.
No air in + no air out = no power
My old big cam high compression motor idled at 1500 rpm and didn't start pulling until about 4 grand, water burnouts were held steady at 7k, way beyond the limits of stock sized parts.