2.3 with low low low power
 

Hey guys,
New to the ranger forum, but been on the super duty and v10 forums for awhile.
I just purchased an 88 ranger today. 2.3l, 5 speed, 4x4. It has a small body lift and 30 inch tires. Not sure on gear ratio. The previous owner tried to fix the exhaust himself, and let's just say it wasn't a good idea. It has a massive leak around 1 foot from the manifold, so bad I had to drive it home with the window down. My question is, will this leak greatly affect the power of the truck because of not having any backpressure in the exhaust? I had to keep the truck in 4th gear to hold 60 to 65 mph. Also supossedly the motor has 1,000 on rebuild. Idles good and seems to run good, just has a hard time getting moving and holding speed. I know the tires don't help, but I didn't think they'd hurt it so bad it was undriveable.
Thanks
2000f350v10

Well for one its a 2.3 I4 in a 20+ year old truck. If your use to driving V8 and V-10 Superdutys this I4 is going to feel like a complete and utter slug by comparison...Even without gearing issues.

I don't think that leak you mentioned would effect power that greatly. Its just simply an old truck with a small engine in it. It probably had issues driving past 75mph when new. And those 30+ inch tires are not helping it in the speed department, as they weigh more and have more rolling resistance than the factory tires. And most likely the truck has not be regeard properly to suit the new tires. But if you got the time and the money, V6 or even V8 swaps are done all the time in Rangers and with notable results. I've seen many V8 powered Rangers drop 13 second 1/4 miles at well over 100mph.

P.S
If you REALLY have disposable income you could just mount a 2000hp 571 Cubic Inch Supercharged Ford V8 under the hood...Just be ready to move your firewall back quite a bit lol.

http://www.bigfoot4x4.com/images/msbf-2.jpg

But anyway that's just my 2cents.

What axle ratio do you have? The info is listed on the tag attached to the differential cover.

You could replace the rear axle with 4.10 gears more easily and for less money than to do an engine transplant.

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i bought this truck just as a commuter to drive back and forth to work. tonight im gonna replace the exhaust, and check the timing. Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know of my findings. hopefully its something simple and not something the previous owner screwed up when he rebuilt the motor. O i also cleaned the IAC and replaced the air filter/plugs so well see how it runs once i put a quiet exhaust on it.

For 1/4 mile times I have a prostreet 73 chevy monte carlo. :-D runs low 13s spinning til half way down.

Does it still have the cat.conv.?.........If its plugged it will make that leak MUCH worse, and kill the power.
Check the timing too, it may be badly retarded from stock.

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it doesnt have a cat becuase of the previous owner. I replaced the exhaust and will be adding a catalytic converter to it so it doesnt sound like a rice burner. I checked the timing and it was at 10 degrees, i bumped it up to 14 degrees and it seems better, but still seems to wake up after 3,000 RPMs. Hopefully this weekend I will have a chance to check the cam timing and see if maybe its a tooth off or something. thanks for the advice