Over all, how reliable is the 2.3L OHC, (like those found in the Rangers), concitered? I'm not asking for a flame war, just wanting to see how many others have had simular experiences to me.

The '84 Ranger we have in the family (bought new Oct. 31, 1983), the orignal 2.3L in it started blowing oil our of somewhere and looseing power (remembering what my dad said, I don't remember seeing it, I think I was in a body cast at the time) at about 105k in 1986 or '87. It had suffered through about 30k miles towing trailers weighing in excess of 3500 pounds, one close to 6000 pounds over 2500 miles across the "Great Divide" in the US.
The second engine was a "factory line rebuilt", (as it was described to me), that the local Ford dealership installed and warrented and even financed. Since then, it has logged 248k total, (about 143k on this engine). Part of that time the speedometer wasn't registering mileage because of the plastic gear on the end of the speedo cable that plugs into the tranny, it was chewed to pieces. That brings me to a concervitive estamate of the mileage on this engine being 175k with a total of 225k possable.

That would place the truck at about 310k, most of them on the second engine. The funny thign is that the engine still only uses about half a quart of oil between 3k changes, will bawl the 195-75R14's in 1st and get a decent chirp out of them on the shift to 2nd and pulls 22MpG, 24MpG with the tailgate down. And it does this all by twisting a Mitsubushi made 4 speed (the mazda 4 speed is round, the Mitsu 4 is square with a drain plug and canted off to one side about 15 degrees like the mechanic that installed it needed glasses).

I dont' know what the rpm is at cruise, ((no tach), but the rear end is running the stock 3.42 gears if memory serves me), but without an OD I assume it is prety high ( 2700 to 3200 maybe?).

Just trying to figure out if this is expected from a 2.3L OHC or if I just happen to have an excepional engine. Some engines have a reputation for being reliable, just trying to find out it's reputation.

 

The 2.3 is very reliable and long lasting. It sounds like you killed the first one towing big trailers. With reasonable care, they easily go 200-250K. Mine is at about 200,000, and has been severely abused, but it runs OK, and the only serious oil use is the valve guides.

 

just like the I6 its almost bulletproof. it will last for a long time if taken care of. it has its quirks for sure. but over all its a good stout motor

 

very reliable I run the crap out of mine in the stock car running 6500 rpm's all day...they can built to be bullit proof.. the options are unlimited....

 

I've got 305 grand on my 91 ranger with the ol DIS and 8 plug design. Shes been pretty relable. Just a few little electronic things. I get 24 MPG even with this many miles, which is not bad at all.

 

I have had 4 of these ranging from a 1978, 1980, 1988 Turbo coupe and a 1995 twin plug. THey have a very strong block and bottom end. I still have the 88 turbo coupe, although it only has 141,000 on it. I go 4-5000 miles on synthetic 10w30 and it uses no Oil. Had 200k on the 80 in a pinto when the factory clutch started to slip and the valve seals were dried out. So I sold it, still ran very smooth and got good mpg.
Dan