Here is a pic of it rebolted.

http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php?topic=3008.msg18116#msg18116

I addressed 2 ways to deal with this. the 3rd is implied (removal), the 4th is just install it with it touching or very close, and the 5th is to re-locate the box to the rear; it seems to me that is would mis-alline so many other things under the dash that it might be a bad idea.

I know you have not had issues (yet), but touching is still a bad thing.

Bill

So far/ Yet will not be a factor. There will not be any misalignment under the dash and touching is not a problem with steel braided type hose over the wires that dont really touch but are close to. I dont forsee any problems now or ever with this. It took a while to reinstall everything but its well worth it. Put steel braided hose around the wires to prevent touching the O2 sensor and wallah!!!! Heat!

Yes, you have it shielded and I understand that you have not had issues. I have seen others with the same, but the reason I would not have it touching, nor reccamend it, is that the engine moves around and COULD damage the wires, motor, or the O2S at some point. I don't know about you, but for me, stuff like that happens at the WORST time.

The engine will run without the O2S, and/or heater if the chafing were to cause a failure, but the car will run rich and might clog the cat. conv. and give very poor mileage until it is fixed, and it might be harder to change the sensor too (YES, they do FAIL!!). Also, anyone driving the a turbo Pinto on the street in cooler conditions should have the ability to de-frost the windshield.

BTW1: You have the T-3 turbo in that photo, and I think it is in a "better" location than the IHI from an 87/88. When I fitted it the IHI Connie's car it was much more of an issue.

BTW2: Congrats on your project. I always like to see more T/P's on the road.

Bill

I took out the heater box three weeks ago.After replacing the heater core and fixing the blower, I added a nut as a spacer on each mounting stud,then i cut a piece of sheet metal in the shape of the blower motor.I cut a hole in the center of this plate for the blower motor.Then i mounted the rubber seal from the blower on this plate then remounted the unit back in the dash. So far no problems and i have heat again.

Pintoman: NEED pics. Are you saying that you moved the non-a/c box backwards into the car like 2.3t?

2.3T: Did you make a thicker gasket around the motor? If not it can leak.

I looked into moving the box back when I did my car, but it just messed up the alinement of the cowl hole too much for me. I did the heatshield thing; there are pics in the swap thread.

As far as the milage issue, did you pull any codes? I know that without the stock guage panel you need a scanner, but you will be able to get codes. You might have a O2S ground problem. An easy fix/test is to take a heavy guage wire and clamp it to the sensor with a heater hole clamp, then ground the other end. Also be sure the stock turbo ground is intact. The other thing I can tell you is that with the low voltage wires DO NOT LIKE CRIMP CONNECTORS (VAM, O2S, TPS...). I noticed that your O2 has one. I would start with these things and then get the codes.


Bill

I have a Pinto with factory AC with a big AC fitting where that motor is sticking out. So if I cut a heat shield out of aluminum, double dog-leg bend it, and screw it to the fire wall so that it's sitting between the fitting and exhaust pipe, then I should be okay.

I'm looking into a turbo engine swap over the Winter. That guy's lingering 4-10 MPG troubles concern me.

The a/c block sticking though the firewall is the end of the evap. I removed the evap from the box I installed, as well as bolced the hole and removed the drain. I have seen turbo cars with the a/c intact, but I don't know how they did it.

Bill