Ford Fairmont, Mercury Zephyr Repair and Service Manual 1978-1983 by Haynes

• Ford Fairmont
• Mercury Zephyr

Turbocharging offers a way of raising the horsepower and torque output of an engine without adding the power-robbing drives and gears of a supercharger.

The turbocharger which is mounted on the 2.3L engine increases the horsepower output by approximately 35% and 25% increase in torque. This is not a constant increase, as the turbocharger assembly works on a 'demand' basis, only.

This means that additionally compressed gases are not fed into the engine except under load conditions (acceleration and climbing). The rest of the time, the engine is normally aspirated and operates on normal amounts of fuel.

In this way, a net fuel saving is realized over the total operation of the car.

The turbocharger unit consists of two turbine wheels mounted to a common shaft and each wheel is enclosed by a shroud which directs air flow.

One shroud connects to the exhaust manifold. This is the turbine unit. The other shroud is linked to the carburetor and the intake manifold and is known as the compressor. In practice, these units operate as follows.

DISTRIBUTOR | REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Remove the air cleaner.



2. Disconnect the distributor harness and vacuum advance line.



3. Remove the distributor cap from the top of the distributor. Position the cap (with the wires attached) to one side. Use a length of wire or tape to hold the cap out of the way.



4. Remove the rotor and adaptor section from the top of the distributor. Reinstall the rotor to the top of the distributor shaft.



5. Scribe or paint a mark on the distributor body in a direct line with the rotor arm. A small dab of paint on the rotor is also a useful aid in alignment.



6. Scribe another mark, in line with these two on the cylinder block. These marks are crucial to the re-installation of the distributor in the exact same direction and position.



7. Disconnect the wiring harness connector.



8. Remove the hold-down bolt at the base of the distributor and carefully withdraw the distributor from the engine.



9. If the engine has not been rotated, installation is basically a reversal of removal. If the oil pump shaft was removed with the distributor, coat one end of this shaft with heavy grease and insert it into the hex hole in the distributor shaft.



10. Perfectly align the rotor with the mark on the distributor body and the armature with the marks on the top of the magnetic pickup. Each 1/2 tooth error is equal to 7 3/4 degree timing error.



11. Position the distributor into the cylinder block, aligning the rotor and distributor body markings with the mark on the cylinder block.



12. Install the distributor hold-down clamp and bolt. Do not tighten the bolt completely until the initial timing is checked later.

• Introduction: Vehicle identification numbers; Buying parts; Maintenance techniques, and more.
• Tune-up and routine maintenance
• Engine and overhaul procedures
• Cooling, heating and air-conditioning systems
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• Engine electrical systems
• Emissions control systems
• Transmission
• Brakes
• Suspension and steering systems
• Body
• Chassis electrical system
• Wiring diagrams