Timing

Tiny
RONSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 355,000 MILES
I removed the cylinder head from my truck after trying everything to get rid of a P0303. I found my problem was a crack between cylinders two and three. I had another head from my previous truck which was a 1991 ranger. I switched out the cam sprocket with the one from the 1996, replaced the valve seals and installed it on the truck.I double checked the timing, #1 T.D.C. With key way at 12 O'clock and diamond to diamond on the Aux. Gear and cam gear on mark. After reinstalling everything I cannot get it to start. It has the muffle noise when you open the throttle while cranking and sounds as if it's out of time. So Now that I look at the old cam gear I see that the key way and timing marks are in different positions. Do I need to install the 91 gear on it and time it, or is this head not going to work. Thanks.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2016 AT 9:52 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
The 91 is obd 1 and the 96 is obd2 so the old cam is made for OBD1 and will not work. Not only that there is a good chance you bent valves on the head you installed as this is interference engine. You might want to try putting old cam form a96 into head and see if that works.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2016 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
RONSON
  • MEMBER
  • 76 POSTS
I only cranked it a couple of times with no noise or hesitation indicating any interference. I will try putting the 96 cam in it and see if it works. Thanks for the valuable information. I didn't know any of the 2.3L ford motors were interference
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Sunday, June 5th, 2016 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
RONSON
  • MEMBER
  • 76 POSTS
So if I got lucky and didn't bend any valves, changing the cam will work?
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Sunday, June 5th, 2016 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
It may and install it correctly. The only other problem I know of would be if cooling holes were not lined up correctly with the engine block an d then it would overheat
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Sunday, June 5th, 2016 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
RONSON
  • MEMBER
  • 76 POSTS
Well I swapped out the cams and it tries to start but wont. I'm sure there is a compression issue either with a bent valve or incorrect valve clearance due to not being able to use the rockers from the 96 cam. Would you know what year heads will interchange with it. I assume a 1995 - 1997 but I see on some sites where they will work from 1995 - 2001. Any information you can give me on this is much appreciated as I need to head out to the wrecking yards. Thanks
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
I have no idea check with an engine rebuider or kink yard
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 AT 5:41 PM

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