Very low compression on 94 Ranger 2.3L

Make sure the belt is on correctly. If you are off by a tooth or two, it could cause this.

Thanks for the advice. I will post pictures of the the crankshaft position, and the two ports on the timing belt cover. I think everything is correct on the timing belt. Please let my now if you see anything that looks like a problem.

Here's the lower port.

Here's the upper port.

Got it figured. See if you can: Align triangle on camshaft sprocket with triangle on inner timing belt cover. Align diamond on oil pump sprocket with diamond on inner timing belt cover. Hint: it has to do with diamonds and triangles. :-) They don't match.

There are 2 symbols on each sprocket. You unfortunately matched the wrong ones. Reinstall the belt, and it should start up for you.

By the way, thanks for the photos. It helps sometimes, when diagnosing online. If you said "Checked it, belt is line-up", I would not have come to the conclusion. Worked on thousands of engines, but not the Ford 2.3L. By the way, when reinstalling the belt make sure the key-way on the bottom "crank" sprocket is pointing straight up, and the circle is pointed at TDC on the timing cover.

Awesome! We reset the timing and it started right away! Thank you so much. Well...wait a minute...he drove it this morning, everything was fine and then went to start it that afternoon and it will not turn over. It just clicks when you turn the key. Any idea?

Have you tried jump-starting it? Sounds like a dead battery, or loose/dirty terminals, or starter issues. Could have a problem with the alternator not charging, if he parked it and would not restart later.

Replaced starter and solenoid. Runs great! Thank you for all your help.