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1989 2.3L OMC Cobra, no horsepower

P

prann

New member
I have a 1989 2.3L OMC Cobra, long story but here is what is happening. Last year it started sputtering and staling when under throttle, so I replaced the cap, rotor, coil, spark plugs and fuel filters. Yet still the same problem. Took it to a marine mechanic, he replaced the points, spark plugs, fuel filter (again) and set the timing. It was a bit hard starting the first and second time out. The first time out seemed to run okay with just me in the boat, second time I had 4 people in and it had no power. Couldn't even get it up on plane. He said he checked the gas tank and it was clean. The only things left are the plug wires and the anti-siphon valve. Or do you think it could be a timing chain or compression problem? I think I checked the compression last year (can't remember)
 
Did the marine mechanic check the overhead cam timing? The 2.3L Ford OHC can be off a tooth or two and still run, but won't have power and will be hard to start.

Did you have a new timing belt put on recently? I had a mechanic do a valve job and installed a new timing belt on a 2.3L (Merkur), and he had the belt timing off two teeth. It was hard to start and lacked power until the belt was properly timed. But it would run.

After I re-set the belt/cam timing, it was one of the best running 2.3L's I had.

I suppose if a timing belt got really worn, it may skip a tooth or two. May want to check your timing belt for wear. The belts are not expensive and can be purchased at any car parts store.
 
I'd go along the timing line. I had a 2.3 in my ranger pick-up and have one in my B'liner. That belt starts to stretch or jump a tooth and that's the way they act.
 
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