Hello,
I'm new to the ranger world (well the small ones. I had a 74 with a 351)
and I just bought a ranger a few days ago. It has a few issues mainly very cold natured when first started. After it warms up it runs rough and shutters it is very sluggish on the low end. Once running along at highway speeds the motor calms down a bit. I have new plugs, wires, and coil to install. Will be getting a distributor cap and rotor this week. Looking for any other pointers to help my little truck along on it's way to the tip top shape. Mileage isn't to bad has 117000 miles which was put on it by a man who bought it new at 65 so I don't think its been run to hard.

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R.S.B
84 long wheel base Ford Ranger
2.3l 4 cyl. with carburetor

well got the plug wires, plugs, distributor cap and rotor button installed. Engine has more power and the sputtering at highway speed has pretty much went away but the idling is still rough. Now however it idles fine for about a minute then really rough for a minute. It does this on and off constantly like there is a valve opening and closing allowing allowing it to run fine then not. No clue what this is any help would be greatly appreciated. On another note. There is an air pump on the passenger side of the motor that is hooked up to the exhaust manifold and other places. Can the motor run fine without this. Reason for asking is the bearings have seized up and it no longer pumps.

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R.S.B
84 long wheel base Ford Ranger
2.3l 4 cyl. with carburetor

is the 84 4cyl carbed or EFI?

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

carb.

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R.S.B
84 long wheel base Ford Ranger
2.3l 4 cyl. with carburetor

clean/rebuild the carb

__________________
2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

hey just joined read your post . If you still having a few issues a few things you may need to try . one is since its a used truck change the fuel filter . May not help but have had them to leave me on the side of the road . Second is look into a curve advance kit . That model is old school and I've had plenty of run inns with the curve advance not working and giving problems . Let me know how it works out for you .

air pump is for smog/emissions

you can take it off

just be sure to block all the vacuum lines you unhook

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1996 XLT 2.3T "White Lightning" 5/7 dropped, Turbo street toy
2006 FX4 Off Road, DD, work in progress
1985 XLT 2.8L 4x4 "The Black Pearl" (retired but still around)
1987 XL 2.3L 2wd R.I.P.