need help with a 83 ranger
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: nashville tn
need help with a 83 ranger
I need some advice on a 83 ranger I just bought.I think it has the 2.0 4cyl(I know its a 4,just not sure which one).The truck has 45,000 miles on and has been sitting for awhile(2-3 years).It started pretty easy after a new battery and solenoid,but wont stay running. the idle seems erratic and it will idle a few seconds and then die.do I need to rebuild the carb and/or get new ignition parts?I put a new fuel filter on and clean gas with some sea foam.Can I remove all the smog crap to get rid of all the hoses?I would like this truck to be as simple as possible.Thanks for any help.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 144
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From: Englewood, CO
I can tell you this. You could pull it off, but it will be easier to diagnosis the problem with it all on. An 83 doesn't have that much on it to worry about. I have an 84 that everything was pulled on. I have to put it all back on as an emission test here requires it all. They even pulled the cat, and that is against federal law to do.
Since yours has sat for 2 - 3 years, I'd expect the carb passages to be a bit clogged. Rebuilding the carb is probably what you're going to have to do. I'd also be checking the vacumn lines as it could have cracked ones allowing it to suck air instead and that can also cause the conditions you are describing.
So as I see it, you can find your problems, including the carb rebuild or you can spend a great deal of time pulling the "smog crap" off and still have a bad running truck. It's up to you.
Since yours has sat for 2 - 3 years, I'd expect the carb passages to be a bit clogged. Rebuilding the carb is probably what you're going to have to do. I'd also be checking the vacumn lines as it could have cracked ones allowing it to suck air instead and that can also cause the conditions you are describing.
So as I see it, you can find your problems, including the carb rebuild or you can spend a great deal of time pulling the "smog crap" off and still have a bad running truck. It's up to you.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44
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From: nashville tn
How do the racers run these engines with out the emission stuff?I would like to simplify the maze of hoses and old plastic parts that could be a problem.I think since the truck is so old I dont need to do the emission testing in my state.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 37
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I have an 83 2.0 and am rebuilding/repairing it it. Thre were 8 yes eight different
carburators in 83. You can do a rebuild or have a search do at a chain store.
There is a little metal tag that goes under one of the body screws and it will tell you what model carb is in your vehicle.
Get an exact model replacement if you can.
carburators in 83. You can do a rebuild or have a search do at a chain store.
There is a little metal tag that goes under one of the body screws and it will tell you what model carb is in your vehicle.
Get an exact model replacement if you can.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 771
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From: Aurora
No doubt about it. Carbs do not like to sit for years. A rebuild makes good sense and was a pleasure for me at least. Carbed vehicles were'nt so dependent on emission stuff for proper running, so you should be ok there. Just make sure you get her running ok before you start removing them so that you can have a reference to wether they are contributing to performance. Check federal laws though. They may supercede state and local laws for emissions. Highway safety checks are more and more becoming emissions checks too!! Be sure to remove the old gas from the tank while your at it.
Fred
Fred
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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You don't have alot of emissions stuff on that truck and you have to be carefull as the engines are tuned in conjunction with emissions, a lot of times a vehicle will not run properly without the emission componetes. I don't believe it will be as much of a factor on your 83. I believe it is as important to have the emissions systems functioning properly as it is the motor. We all need to take responsability for the enviroment where we can. I'm a performance nut and love to mod my engines, but won't sacrifice emissions for performance, I look for a balance and stay legal. I know what your trying to do on an old motor to simlify things, just don't think it's worth it. Keep your emissions equipment up as you do the rest of truck and you'll be better off in the long run, as we will all. On an 83, there isn't all that much to worry about like on the newer ones, just my .02.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,100
Likes: 246
From: Fresno, CA.
Racers get by with taking the emission controls off, because they don't have to pass smog tests. Most people who drive on the street do have to pass smog checks so they leave them on. 
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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My buddy pulled the emissions equipment off of his 93 ranger and he never could get it to run right, he ended up putting what he could back on and taking it to the dealer, who ended up installing some more that he forgot or trashed. Cost him 770.00$ to get the emissions equipment back up to snuff and running right. Like I say, some of these vehicles won't run right without it, the emissions are intagrated into the tunning and what have you.
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