Ford 2.3L any good?

[dgsmooth]

howdy all - looking at a used boat, its a 1988 invader 16ft with an i/o ford 2.3...... i think this is a pretty good boat, but i'm wondering about the motor? is this ford 2.3 any good? i know everybody has their own experiences and stuff i'm just trying to make sure this isn't the worst engine ever made type thing. anybodoes personal opinion or experiences would be greatly appreciated. i'm hoping if enough people can shed some experience on this motor i can get a general idea of how good or bad of a motor it might be. thanks a lot and to anybody with any help.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

It might be okay, but it's obsolete, just like the outdrive it's attached to.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

I have zero experience with a 2.3 ford in a boat.
I however have tons of experience with them in the turbo charged automotive version, from the late 80's.
They are tough as nails. Ford made millions of them, mostly N/A.
Engine parts should be cheap. Later Rangers had roller cams and followers.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

howdy all - looking at a used boat, its a 1988 invader 16ft with an i/o ford 2.3...... i think this is a pretty good boat, but i'm wondering about the motor? is this ford 2.3 any good? i know everybody has their own experiences and stuff i'm just trying to make sure this isn't the worst engine ever made type thing. anybodoes personal opinion or experiences would be greatly appreciated. i'm hoping if enough people can shed some experience on this motor i can get a general idea of how good or bad of a motor it might be. thanks a lot and to anybody with any help.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... It's probably the 2nd worse motor ever stuffed into a boat....

The 470 Merc is the Worst...

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... It's probably the 2nd worse motor ever stuffed into a boat....

The 470 Merc is the Worst...

Well there you have it... Ford is not doing too well with the in-lines... LOL

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

its a pinto motor.......'nuff said.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

its a pinto motor.......'nuff said.

LOL true enough.

I had a couple turbo T-bird's with some tweaks that would really run. I guy nearby here has a mustang that runs high 9,s in the quarter with one.

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

The REAL PROBLEM with the OMC 2.3L Cobra is the "OMC" and the "Cobra". I personally don't think there is anything wrong with the 2.3L Ford motor. There are plenty of parts and they are tough motors.

It's a sterndirve package that was made for too little time with varying degree of support available... for most people that becomes the real issue.

I like mine but would rather have a Chevy/Merc combo just to have parts aplenty and expertise at every service center.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

I had one for years. Not a lot of power (128hp) and runs a bit rough - in cars too. But, reliable and efficient. I hated the damn Cobra drive. Everything I read and 2 mechanics and I still had intermittant shift problems.

 

[Don S]

Re: Ford 2.3L any good?

The biggest problem with the 2.3 is parts. They were only used by OMC from 87 to 90 and then dropped. So the marine accessory parts, like couplers, exhaust parts, fuel system, ignition, etc. don't exist. Even the aftermarket companies don't make the parts because there isn't a large enough market.