PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Wrench Monkey on February 15, 2019, 06:27:00 PM
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Hello everyone,
I have been looking around my local area for parts to piece together my Pinto but I have run into a slight problem. I cant find a 2.0l block that I can swap in, and I am looking to increase power output.
Would a 302 be a viable swap into a 1972 model Pinto? I read that the firewall will need cutting and new mounts would need to be made etc etc.
What would I need to replace and cut away to fit a 302 and a C4?
Does anyone also know if a C4 would work with the current rear axle/driveline?
Thanks,
Wrench Monkey
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...I have been looking around my local area for parts to piece together my Pinto but I have run into a slight problem. I cant find a 2.0l block that I can swap in, and I am looking to increase power output.
1. Where is your "Local Area?" If anyone has something like what you are looking for it is helpful for them to know where you are.
2. I've never done it but there is a lot involved in the 302 swap. Exhaust is a common issue. I've heard the cars are rather nose heavy and brakes need upgrading. As to the rear axle (of your 1.6) working with a 302, NO! The 6-3/4" is far too weak.
Hopefully those who have "been there and done that" (302 swap) will chime in. Even a 2.3 requires cutting out/welding in motor mounts, has limited fan clearance (in a pre-'74 Pinto) etc.. And if the 2.3 was sourced from anything but a Pinto the oil pickup and pan need swapping too. I believe the 1.6 and the 2.0 have similar engine mounts but anyone who knows confirm or correct me please. The 2.0 will not be significantly faster than the 1.6 unless you put money into it and then a lot of the power is in the upper RPM range and not conducive to everyday driving.
Sadly there is no simple solution. A 2.0 will be the easiest upgrade all be it a minor one. The 302, Turbo 2.3 (or N/A 2.3) require significant work. And because of the weight bias the 302 will probably not be the best handling/stopping car. The donor 2.3 Turbo Coupes are getting hard to find. The newest (1988) are 31 years old.
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Wrench Monkey,
71Pintoracer did a 302 swap into his Pinto a number of years ago and wrote excellent posts here about the project. As I recall, there was something about "let the fun begin" in the thread title. Regardless, try searching... the information is here somewhere. 71Pintoracer (his name is Jimmy) is a certified Ford mechanic who works at my local Ford dealership. He built a phenomenal Pinto which, as of the last time I saw him, he is still driving. If you can't find his thread, you can type his username into the member search and pull up his profile. From there, there's a place you can click to read every post he ever wrote. He used to write a lot so this will be time consuming but I assure you, the information you are seeking is there.
Dwayne :)
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I didn't build mine, it has a 289 in it right now but I can say it isn't too nose heavy, not too bad anyway. It's a joy to drive. The radiator needs to be mounted on the other side of the support and won't have the hood closure handle and stuff so it will need hood pins but that's cool with me. Overheating is a problem but it has a thin radiator right now, I have a 4 core but need to get a bracket fabricated to hold it in correctly. The C4 is factory in my car, but it has the 141 tooth flexplate and small bellhousing. There are premade kits that include motor mounts. Headers will be a challenge as well, mine has the split type that requires cutting the inner fender wells but you don't have to cut too much to get them in. It's some work but like I said it's a really fun car.
I'm looking to get a stroker small block to replace the 289 and I know it will mean custom fabricated headers but there are shops that can do it and it will be awesome when it's done. I hope this helps a little at least.
Brian
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How easy depends on your skill sets & money.
You have a shop ?
Tools like welder etc so you can fab parts ?
Seen lots of V8 swaps started & they ended up in a junk yard......
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I was snooping around the MustangII.org site a few days ago, and saw a pretty comprehensive list of parts you'll need to get the job done.
Go to http://www.mustangii.org/tech/tipsntricks/302swap.shtml
Or, if that link doesn't work, here's the step-by-step linkage: http://MustangII.org > Tips 'n Tricks > Chassis 'n Mechanical > - 302 Engine Swap parts list By: Phil Schmidt
I can't vouch for the accuracy, but it looks like it's a pretty good start/time saver.
The MII shares so much hardware with our Pinto that it's a great source for technical info.
The MII site is nowhere near as crowded as ours, and that makes it pretty easy to navigate. There are other bits of info there you might find helpful, too. Check it out.
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Keep in mind that if Mll frame mounts are used, it will off set the engine to the right. Lots.
This can & likely will put exhaust manifold & have an effect on Header fitment.
I gave this set away, knowing I'd never use them.
(https://i.imgur.com/gESuMMS.jpg)
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While the Mustang II V-8 swap info is a significant help it is likely most helpful to a '74 and up car. Wrench Monkey has a '72 car and an added issue is at least an inch less fore/aft room in the engine compartment. Also the engine mounts will need to be welded in. At least they need to be for the 2.3 swap in a 71-73 and I'd assume the same for the 302.
BTW, battery in the trunk, aluminum intake and aluminum heads would be helpful to pull weight off the front. The first two items are cheap, the heads not.
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I had a 72 that I did a 302/c-4 swap... it was pretty easy, used hooker mounts and reversed exhaust manifolds.
Used stock rear, never had a problem, mustang II coils, cut off about 1 coil, stock battery location, plugged the stock shifter into the existing harness for the back up lights and neutral safety switch. Had to relocate the oil filter to the fender well with a remote kit. Motor mounts could be had easily from Speedway Motors. Stock trans mount was flipped 180. Used the same driveshaft. It stopped fine with existing brakes and drove well but there was no doubt it had a v8 up front .
I have another 72 HB now with a 2.0, it will not get a v8, ( been there done that)
The 2.0 is just so much fun .