Hey there,
I recently purchased a 1978 Pinto 4-cyl 2.3L automatic & have done a lot of work on it but I think I really just need to replace the entire carburetor.  However, I'm not exactly sure of what model I need.  I think it is a 5200 Autolite or Motorcraft, 2-barrel, but can't seem to find one on eBay. I found a Holley listing, as follows:

*New Holley 2bbl carburetor (r8303) CA1981 is tagged Motorcraft D8EE-ama. This carb replaces several different number carbs and is listed as fitting

    1978 Ford Mustang  and Pinto with 2.3l 2300cc 140cu in 4cyl manual transmission*

Does it make any difference if it is an auto or manual for the carburetor & does this seem like the correct part that I need?
Thanks so much for any of your help!  I'm looking forward to getting this orange beast moving again.

-Leah

 Over the years I have replaced that 5200 carb with the 1bbl set up from rangers, very slightly noticable less power but everyone I did it for was way happier with the drivability. They had a habit of sticking wide open throttle in below freezing weather.

Over the years I have replaced that 5200 carb with the 1bbl set up from rangers, very slightly noticable less power but everyone I did it for was way happier with the drivability. They had a habit of sticking wide open throttle in below freezing weather.

 Has anyone else heard of this happening? Not in my 26 years of owning my 78 wagon or the three others I had before it. I dont think this is something that should just go without comment.

 I always thought that 7-78 Pintos were nearly exactly the same. Oh well I wonder why I never heard about this it could be scary. I remember one time I was driving my dads old Vega and the pedal stuck in the up position so I couldnt give it any gas. Luckily I found a place to pull over and park (preetty darn lucky in downtown st louis) and my friend who was with me helped me pick up all the little pieces and we somehow got it to where I could drive it home.My father my sister and my brother in law all had those darn vegas.

 ok now I feel better then

 Personally I dont like to even hear the word Vega I pushed one too many times. When I had the motor in my 1978 wagon rebuiilt back in 1988 my father asked the guy who did it if he could rebuild the motor in his Vega. He said no sorry the motors have sleeves in the cylinders and he didnt want to mess with it.

Back when I was selling Lincoln-Mercury products in the late seventies, we took a lot of Vegas in as trade-ins on Bobcats.  I drove most, if not all, of them at some point or another and they were pure crap even back when they were relatively new!
Dwayne