PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: slowride on November 17, 2013, 08:50:03 PM

Title: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 17, 2013, 08:50:03 PM
The 2.3 in the wagon is the original with over 150k on it and is showing it's age. When I had the head off and cammed it I noticed there was a pretty good size ridge, so decided to build a spare and have it ready. Picked this long block up from Fred and got lucky.... I was looking for a short block to throw new bearings in and re-ring it. The head was still on so I couldn't check the bores, but had a hunch about this one. Tore it down after getting it home and found it was VERY recently rebuilt with a 1mm bore and freshly turned crank. The bearings are like brand new, so will be re-used. Took a ball hone to the bores and am re-ringing it. The reason it was using oil was the rings didn't seat due to the rebuilder using chrome rings.

Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 17, 2013, 08:59:50 PM
Sounds like you scored a good one congrats, rings didn't seat because of the rings they didn't hone it for chrome rings, don't want that anyhow that's for extreme dirt environment chrome rings wear out cylinder walls quick.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 19, 2013, 08:26:49 PM
This is about as far as I can go without pulling the original and swapping parts.....

Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 19, 2013, 08:53:31 PM
Looks good..
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 20, 2013, 10:03:19 AM
Looks like I got this done just in time. I think I put the old engine out of it's misery this morning....... :(
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 25, 2013, 10:58:07 PM
Pulled the old engine today and started tearing it down. Got it down to the short block and spun the crank. Number 2 (the cylinder I've had issues with) makes an odd squeaking sound  when spun. I'd be willing to bet it broke a ring or two......
Pics tomorrow, and hopefully I get the new block assembled and installed.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 26, 2013, 07:07:03 AM
That sucks, could be a spun bearing too??..
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 26, 2013, 11:43:15 AM
It had great oil pressure, and the sound is like part of a ring dragging as the piston moves. I guess it doesn't much matter as it's just a big heavy boat anchor now. After 40 years and over 150k miles, it's done well.......
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 26, 2013, 12:00:20 PM
Hmmm I doubt it, it's probably very rebuildable.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: rramjet on November 26, 2013, 02:33:29 PM
Yes on the rebuild. I'd love to find a 2.0 EAO to rebuild for my wagon. Did a nice head job on it and now have a rod knock and only 96K miles.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: Pinturbo75 on November 26, 2013, 05:07:12 PM
what you pulled out of the car if not damaged is what we like to call a seasoned block.....
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 26, 2013, 08:10:16 PM
I think I found the problem with #2  :o . The block is definitely bore-able, and the crank looks quite good for the mileage. Anyone want a screamin' deal on 2.3 engine core parts?
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 26, 2013, 09:33:26 PM
Bummer, where you located at??..
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 26, 2013, 10:26:10 PM
Anaheim, CA. Once the new engine's in and sorted out, the old engine is in the way and will have to go. I need what room I have for building the '31........ this little diversion didn't happen at a real opportune time, but at least I got to it before IT decided when.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 26, 2013, 10:42:42 PM
Anaheim huh, I'm at the river I could probably get it out here maybe, let me know when you're ready to part with it I wouldn't mind having it, it is a complete motor, right?..
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 26, 2013, 10:49:38 PM
It's missing minor pieces.... pan, crank pulley, etc, but head and short block complete. We have a river place in Bullhead and will be headed out in a few weeks if it makes it easier.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 26, 2013, 10:55:25 PM
I'm in Parker that's not too bad.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 27, 2013, 08:15:22 PM
I may be slow, but I do things a certain way and get it done eventually. This was this morning on the engine stand. Dropped it in today and am ready to fire tomorrow. Here's hoping for a good Thanksgiving!

Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 27, 2013, 09:19:36 PM
Looks good, good luck.
Title: Building a new bullet
Post by: Scott Hamilton on November 28, 2013, 09:08:00 AM
Love the smell of a new engine at Thanksgiving.. ..  Just makes everything seem ok...   Nice engine. Really nice..
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: dick1172762 on November 28, 2013, 11:01:38 AM
SLOWRIDE! Get a Merkur air condition mount, and you can use it to mount the alternator on the right side of the engine. Then you can work on the distributor with nothing in your way.

Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 28, 2013, 11:52:16 AM
It's all good... I found the right size shoe horn and assembly/dis-assembly sequence. Out to go finish it up and fire it. Cross your fingers folks.....
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 28, 2013, 03:56:53 PM
Well, it's done and have a few miles on it. No leaks, runs great, idles smooth...... wife says it's like a new car. I'm sure a good part of the smoothness is the new motor mounts, too. Well worth the time and (minimal) money.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 28, 2013, 06:22:46 PM
Congrats,glad to hear it all turned out good.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on November 28, 2013, 07:05:46 PM
74PW, sent you a PM, but not sure it went thru.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on November 29, 2013, 07:14:00 AM
74PW, sent you a PM, but not sure it went thru.
Got it and back at ya. ;)
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: slowride on December 01, 2013, 11:24:34 AM
Put a few miles on it this weekend and can feel the power increasing as the rings seat. Thought I'd clean her up a little and show a little love.  8)
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: dick1172762 on December 01, 2013, 11:41:15 AM
VERY NICE RIDE!!!! Love that color.
Title: Re: Building a new bullet
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on December 01, 2013, 09:04:45 PM
VERY nice.. 8) 8)