2.3l OMC running rough.

[dschuma72]

Hello, I have a 2.3l OMC that needs a little help. It runs sluggish at various RPM. It seems if I WOT it will run sluggish for a short period then just pull out of it and run good. If it's around 2500 rpm it doesn't pull out of the sluggish behavior and runs like it's missing real bad. Lower rpm around 1k are hit and miss. SOmetimes it runs ok and others it's sluggish and missing bad.<br /><br />When the problem first happened I figured the carb needed to be rebuilt so I've done that with no luck. The timing is set correctly and I have new plugs installed.<br /><br />I was thinking vapor lock but it's running sluggish before I even get out of the dock. It will even go through short periods where it runs fine at all rpm. Although those episodes are becomeing farther apart.<br /><br />Any help is greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

ds,<br /><br />Take a close look at all vacuum lines. Also, attach a timing light and see how the timing reacts under load.<br /><br />Otherwise, I would be looking at the fuel, system.

 

[dschuma72]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

I can't find a single vacuum line on it. Is it supposed to have them? I looked the carb over and there's no place to connect a line either. I have exp in auto but this is my first bout with an I/O. I assumed it didn't use vacuum?<br /><br />Under load the timing is a litte erraticle but I was thinking whatever the cause of my missfire was the casue of timing being a little jumpy. I just set it as close as I could get it to 10deg before TOC at 600rpm.<br /><br />Are you thinking timing chain?

 

[DJ]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

ds,<br /><br />Look at the base of the carb. Do you have any vacuum ports? I would think you should have at least two:<br /><br />1. Distibutor advance.<br /><br />2. PCV (positive crankcase vent)<br /><br />Also, look at your distibutor. Is there a silver looking device attached to it? That would be your vac. advance.<br /><br />That engine does not have a timing chain, it has a belt. It could have jumped.

 

[dschuma72]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

I don't see any vacuum lines on the carb or the dist. There's times when it runs good so I'm thinking this engine doesn't use vacuum lines. If it does then there's been some major modifications done before I owned it.<br /><br />This is an OMC 2.3L GM with a rochester carb.<br /><br />Any advice is greatly appreciated!<br /><br />THanks

 

[DJ]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

ds,<br /><br />If your engine is TRULY a 2.3L engine, it is a Ford engine. Ford and OMC had a very good relationship, in the late eighties. <br /><br />Again, I think someone may have changed some things.<br /><br />Does your engine have a large "cover" over the front of the engine? That would be the timing belt cover.<br /><br />A digital picture is worth a thousand words. Send one to me at: projectstoomany@juno.com

 

[Lou C]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

Yep the 2.3 was the Ford 4 cyl used in Pintos, Bobcats, Mustangs, etc. The 3.0 is a GM motor that was no used in cars as far as I know.

 

[Fox River Cruiser]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

Dschuma,<br />I have an 88 Bayliner with the 2.3 ohc Ford engine. This hit an miss ignition problem sounds like what I was just going thru. I tried new points, condensor,cap, and rotor. It ran fine sometimes, with an intermittent miss sometimes. It stalled in the middle of the lake and coundn't restart it. After a day and a half of checking electrical checks I found it. While slightly twisting the dist. rotor to remove, it spun freely while in the engine. I removed the distributor, and all the gears were chewed up on the aux. shaft that turns the distributor. I'm finding out this was somewhat a common problem with this engine. I have owned this boat for two months and had it out about 8 times. This repair is about $500.00 parts. Are we having fun yet?

 

[dschuma72]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

I just bought the boat recently myself. It was supposed to have a 3.0L in it but the guy I bought it from had told me that the owner before him had dropped a remanufactured 2.3L in it. I see GM stamped on the side of the block so it can't be a 2.3L correct?<br /><br />Also if the stern drive was supposed to have a 3.0L attached and something smaller replaced the 3.0L how would that gear ratio change effect the performance?<br /><br />Thanks guys.<br /><br />This forum rocks!

 

[dschuma72]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

One more thing... THe previous owner had it serviced and the shop told him it had wrong points in it. Maybe the guys that installed the motor really thought it was a 2.3L and has more parts attached that aren't correct. Was there any GM 4cyl engines that were considered OMC?

 

[RonB1954]

Re: 2.3l OMC running rough.

I have a1987 2.3 ford in my boat and had the same problem. After much probing and searching it turned out to be the wire that feeds the distributor, it was coroded and in very poor condition, after striping and cleaning the wire and reattaching it my boat ran like new again!<br />Hope this helps.<br />Ron