From what I read to use the late model small journal crank in the early large journal blocks, it is easiest to use bearing inserts. These inserts fit in the block like stock bearings and then you use the stock small journal bearings on top of them. It will look like there are two sets of bearings in the block. Racer Walsh
www.racerwalch .com and Race Engineering
www.raceeng.co m both sell these bearing inserts for about $130 to $140 a set. I suspect Esslinger Engineering
www.esslngerra cing.com also sells them, but I could not find them in their catalog. The mid 80's and earlier blocks (Pinto) use a two piece rear main seal and a crank shaft with a slinger ring while the later blocks use a one piece seal with no slinger ring on the crank. Using a crank with out a slinger ring would put more strain on the two piece rear main seal but I do not know if it becomes a problem (the 2.5L crank would not have a slinger ring).
If you watch the junk yards and ads, you can get complete engines cheap. In the past year I got a 98 2.5L for $115 and a 93 2.3L for $100. The 93 is a small journal block and is machined for a distributor. The dip stick hole and mechanical fuel pump openings will have to be opened up. It should work, but I have not assembled it yet.
If money is not a big concern, the companies mentioned above all sell stroker kits in many sizes (one up to 3.0L using a tall block).