jfleag61

I was looking to buy a '93 hatchback with the duel spark plug 4cyl backed with the manual trans. I haven't actually gone to see the car yet. The seller said it has 144K, doesn't smoke or burn oil, and runs well. I was wondering if anyone on here is familiar with this engine, and has any comments about it.

thanks in advance

mustangGT86_05

I have it in my ranger, its a tank of an engine. I accidently overheated it years ago and I can still run it hard without any hesitation or issues.

scottybaccus

2.3L, dates back to the 2.0 in the first Pinto. Called Lima motors because they were all made in Lima, Ohio. It's the basic design carried into the Ranger through 2001.

Let's see... Ever hear of Hobby Stock racing? You know, every red neck nascar lovin' teenager in the South starts driving in this class. There's about as many aftermarket parts for them as a small block Chevy.

Oh, and it was the basis for the Turbo 2.3L in the '84-'86 SVO Mustang and the T-Bird Turbo Coupe.

jfleag61

Thanks guys for the info. The car was already sold (this is the 3rd time in less than a year that I showed up at a sellers address at the appointed time, and the car was already sold without a call telling me not to bother making an hour+ trip). Your input will be put to good use as I continue my search.

ruskiegunlover

how did the 2.3 liter change in the ranger after 01? I have a 2.3 liter 06 ranger......

mustangGT86_05

I can't remember exact year ranges but they tried bumping them up to a 2.5 for a little while, I assume they didn't fair well since they didn't last, but don't know for sure.

scottybaccus

They went to 2.5L from 1998-mid 2001. 2002 and up use a Mazda sourced engine of no relation.

There was no real issue with the 2.5L design on the Lima motor. It had just run it's course in development and wasn't up to par with newer designs developed in the Ford/Mazda joint ventures. They had higher goals for emmisions and fuel economy.

Daniel Bente

You want to know what a 2.3l can do? Look up the book "Building the Mustang Mini-stock" and Esslinger Engineering's website.