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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: johnnyb on April 24, 2013, 10:40:42 AM

Title: Engine swap
Post by: johnnyb on April 24, 2013, 10:40:42 AM
Was just wondering how much is involved in swapping the 4cyl to the 2.8 V6
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: half pint on April 24, 2013, 11:29:39 AM
I would think just mounts and a tiny bit of wiring, but I'm telling ya...don't do it. The 2.8 is a horrible engine. The 2.3 is much better and you can get plenty of power out of it without sacrificing reliability... just my $.02

Sent from a crack house in the ghetto.

Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: DBSS1234 on April 24, 2013, 02:33:39 PM
I have to disagree with half pint. I have a 2.8 in my Cruising Wagon and love it. I my Mustang Cobra II I have a 2.3 and would swap in a minute but I am kind of a stickler for keeping my cars stock.
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: half pint on April 24, 2013, 05:08:25 PM
Well, you are one of the lucky/rare ones. I've been a mechanic over 10 years and I've never seen a 2.8 that didn't have problems and not to mention, too weak to pull a sick hooker out of bed.  Sorry, the 2.3 is a much better engine that can give much more power than a 2.8 when modded right. But, I'm glad you like yours...lol

Sent from a crack house in the ghetto.

Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: Pinto5.0 on April 24, 2013, 08:35:54 PM
Unless the 2.3L is shot & I had an amazing low mileage 2.8L laying around the garage I would never do this swap. 
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on April 25, 2013, 03:44:56 AM
Never had any Issues with mine, and It had no issues peeling out either.. lol but Id prefer a 2.3T or a SC 3.8
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: DBSS1234 on April 25, 2013, 10:10:38 AM
Too weak to pull sick hooker out of bed, 2.8 is a horrible engine? Makes one wonder how it ever made it through the Ford testing program and went into production. Working in engeenering for all my life I have found almost all mechanical designs are based on sound design principals that meet the goals set forth at the time. In this case the design is very sound but in today's zero maintainance society things like carburators and solid lifters aren't understood. I personally like the gear driven cam (no belts or chains) and the basic proven push rod design. The engine was used for many years in various forms in the Ford Bronco II and the Ranger. Here is a link to a 2.8 forum, http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=64 (http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=64)
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: ghosttrain2 on April 25, 2013, 12:23:30 PM
It was the only V-6 ford had at the time. First used in European Ford vehicles. That engine family progressed to 2.9 L in 1986 Rangers and Bronco 2's, with the addition of hydraulic lifters and equally spaced intake ports, and then the 4.0 used in the Explorer and Ranger. I worked on these at the dealer when they were new, and it was an ok engine for the time, but there are better choices available to you now. The 2.3 certainly has more power upgrades available.
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: DBSS1234 on April 25, 2013, 01:50:03 PM
Exactly my point. For it's time it was a good engine, when compared to today's technology no so good.
 
As a side story: In the fall of 1976 I ordered my Crusing Wagon with a V-6 and I wanted a 4 speed behind it. I even had the dealer contact Ford to see if it could be "back doored" but as you know Pintos were not available with the V-6 and and a 4 speed, no exceptions!. Many years later I was working with an engineer who was at Ford in the 70's and asked him if he knew why I couldn't get the automatic in a Pinto. His answer "The Mustang II had a V-6 as the largest engine when it was introduced. Ford knew they were going to offer the V-6 in the Pinto soon also. If they had put the V-6 in the lighter Pinto sedan body with a 4 speed it would have been quicker than the Mustang II. The auto press would have had a field day with that one, so no 4 speed in the Pinto V-6". :-\ 
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: cromcru on April 25, 2013, 10:19:31 PM
i never had a problem with my 2.8 v6 motor.but i always have problems with that junky 2700 VV cali carb on it.i can put my 2150 2 barrel carb and pass with flying colors. but being a cali car it has to have the 2700 carb which never passes. go figure. thats why i put my car on nonop. otherwise, its up to you on which motor you wanna run.
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: ghosttrain2 on April 25, 2013, 11:00:10 PM
Those carburetors required a ford special service kit and a dial indicator to overhaul. When properly set up, they meter the fuel better,and run very well. The only parts that needed replacement were the diaphragms. Yes, overhauling them can be a pain if you do not have the tools, but if you are keeping the car, and have to use the 2700, why not purchase the Ford kit?
I bought one on ebay, and it was not very expensive. I also have the Ford new model training flip book for overhauling them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Rotunda-Special-Service-Repair-Tool-Set-T77L-9500-A-2700VV-Carburator-Test-/400462339053?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item5d3d6a5bed&vxp=mtr
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on April 26, 2013, 04:53:46 AM
the ford 2.8 and 2.9 were also used in TVR's of the day.
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: bbobcat75 on April 26, 2013, 06:57:22 AM
i have a 2.8 in my 75 bobcat, with 38,000 original miles, had blown head gaskets when i got the car, not the most powerfull car i have owned or drove, but does make that car scoot and much faster THEN A STOCK 2.3
 
BUT THE COOLING SYSTEM AND RELIABILTY OF THESE MOTORS IS NOT THAT GREAT- HAVE REPLACED EVEY PART OF COOLING SYSTEM AND STILL RUNS A LITTLE WARMER THEN I PERFER, BUT HAS NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED
 
IS A BLAST TO DRIVE AND GETS LOOKS, AND WHEN YOU POP THE HOOD AT A CAR SHOW OR LOCAL CAR CRUISE AND PEOPLE SEE THE V6, IT BLOWS MOST OF THERE MINDS MOST THINK THEY WHERE ALL 2.3'S!!
 
GOOD LUCK ON WHAT YOU DECIDE TO DO, I ALWAYS THOUGHT A 3.8SC MOTOR WOULD BE A GOOD V6 SWAP, BUT THE 2.3T IS ALMOST A COMPLETE BOLT IN!!
 
JUST MY 2 CENTS
 
 
Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: half pint on May 10, 2013, 11:13:02 AM
Yea, the 2.8 was "ok" in its day, but the 2.8/2.9 have their reputations for a reason...they were earned. And yea, maybe it did pass their "quality control" program. So did those faulty ignition switches and faulty cruise deactivation solenoids that set many Ford vehicles ablaze.  See where I'm going with this? Quality control isn't perfect. Its still ran by humans. One guy's opinion of "great" might be another guy's opinion of "crap".  Personally, I've had to work on too many dead 2.8/2.9/3.0's to ever deem them a "good" engine. But if you're happy with yours, great!

Sent from a crack house in the ghetto.

Title: Re: Engine swap
Post by: JoeBob on May 11, 2013, 06:07:23 PM
A little off topic here but, in 1978 I lived in Israel on a kibbutz. The farm had a passenger van that held 10-12 people. I was amazed to fine out Ford had installed a 2.3 in that big van. It was no power house, but full of people, it performed nicely. I can't believe that anyone in the US would consider buying such a vehicle. I don't know anything about Fords built in over seas factories. It would be interesting to know other things they do differently.
Bill