I replaced plugs and wires.
The wires are those type that "fit" on the coil packs.
Now, I have always been suspect of them because they don't fit right. I can't get them to snap down right.
Plugs...brand new....gapped um myself.
How do you get those wires to snap down right on the coil packs?
About the head, The engine was rebuilt, and has not overheated since then. (that I recall) runs cool, I don't think it's the head.
When I did the compression test yesterday I was not able to hold the gauge as tight as I did today. I got readings of 60 yesterday and 90 today...120 with oil.
The book says 100 is normal

 

Is it possable that the O2 sensor is causing this problem?
Doesn't the O2 sensor change the air/ fuel mixture during engine opperations like acceleration?

 

Dale the compression sounds like its not the problem, nor the head as it would likely give you low compression if it were leaking. Yes the os2 sensor changes the fuel air ratio as needed, (with in limits set by the fuel curve) but i don,t think it could change it enought to flood the engine.
Dave

 

I have a "Rear Anti Lock breaks" light that comes and goes.
Does the "RABS" system relate information with the EECIV (computer) and could that be my problem?
I made sure that the spark plug wires were all fitting correctly.
Could it be the computer?

 

I was thinking maybe the O2 sensor was "starving the engine" of ether fuel or O2.

 

When an engine starts to miss under load it is almost always related to spark or fuel delivery. Have you checked the fuel pressure? The O2 sensor won't cause it to miss, It will adjust the fuel delivery, but within limits set by the computer. It can cause a general loss of power and a loss of fuel mileage, but not a miss as you have described it. The RABS is not connected to the engine managment system. You may want to check the level of the brake fluid as that is a common cause of interminment fault lights.
If you check the fuel pressure, be sure to check it went the engine is reved up as it may be that the fuel flow is restricted some where and the pressure will be ok a an idle.
Dave

 

Not only did I check the fuel pressure, it was within specs. I replaced the pump the filter and the regulator, and blew out the lines, and replaced all 4 injectors.
Question:
My plug wires cross and touch each other because the plastic retainers are gone.
Now, because they touch each other, and also the Valve cover, might they be grounding out?

 

could be if There cheap wires. at this point it may be time to take it to a shop that has some diag equip and have it checked out. Let us know what they find.
Dave

 

Yep, that's the plan.
IWILL CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.I will let you know.
Thanks for trying to help.

 

What exactly does the car do when the computer is dammaged?
Will it run?
Is it cut and dry?
It's dead, or does it just act up?
Because I have blown a couple of voltage regulators on this truck in the past, and I am wondering if I might have blown something in the computer?

 

The cpu controls everything on the engine, spark, fuel. If the cpu fails from a power surge it will most likely wipe out the computer and the truck will not run at all. If a sensor input line fails the cpu will thnk the sensor has fail and go to limp mode. It will try to run with a set of values in the memory of the cpu. So the fuel mixture, spark advance etc will be set to levels that the enging will limp home. Could your cpu be bad, yes, but most of the time they stop dead. You need to have the soneone with some diagnostic equiptment look at it. Shotgunning it with parts is not the answer.
Dave

 

I have 2 Rangers. I took the computer out of then truck in question, and tried it nin the other. The other ran fine.
I then took the truck for diagnostics.
Maybe it's the Timing sensor, or the Harmonic Balencer...Only time will tell!
I will let you know.

 

I'm having the same problem with my sons '92 ranger with the 2.3 engine. I haven't put any parts in it yet because that can get rather expensive. It starts and runs fine. Problem comes when you try to accelerate. It bogs down reall bad. I checked the fuel pressure at idle and increased the speed(RPM) until it reached "bog" mode and the pressure at idle was around 30lbs and accelerated went up to 40 lbs. It stayed there even in "bog" mode. Checked the vacuum. It's good. I'm thinking injectors. I'm going to get them at the junk yard as they are a lot cheaper. I know they could be bad as well, but it's a cost issue. Anyway, as far as you computer goes, I had a 1983 Monte Carlo and I would drive at highway speeds and on occasion, it would just start slowing down. It was like someone took a sledge hammer and knocked the stuff out of it. Went to the junk yard and got another. They are color coded so you have to make sure you use the right one. Anyway, When I went down the highway and it did it again, I pulled over, unplugged it and plugged in the replacement. Never had that problem again. The car never gave any codes. I'm guessing the computer went bad and couldn't tell on itself. I'm not thinking computer on the '92 because it will run all day long, it just boggs down when the accelerator is pushed more than half way to the floor. I'm usually found in the '48-'60 postings. Good luck and I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

It's quite obvious by the symptoms that you have a timing issue. The computer can only advance and retard the timing so much. If you dont have it set in the middle of that envelope, the computer cannot compensate that far....thus your symptoms. Better check the following;
Cam Timing first. (#1 Comp. Stroke TDC before checking Align marks on gears)
Distributor Position (Also inspect rotational sensors inside dist.)
Base Timing running (make sure to follow prep to disable computer control)
Total Advance running MOMENTARY WOT

Bet you will find the problem!

 

The 2.3 timing can't be set. There are coil packs and no distributor. That's why I'm thing injectors. If the timing is the problem, then it probably needs a new timing belt. I didn't want to hear that.

Thanks for the reply.