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Author Topic: On a 2.3Turbo swap I cant seem to find out what parts of the harnesses to keep  (Read 2390 times)

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Offline Ruger Nut

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I know this seems repetative , but i'm at wits end . the wiring and the harnesses have got me stumped.. PLEASE  did someone do a step by step write up or post on how they did their swap. it seems as though there wont be room for both harnesses under the hood,  all the swaps I've seen on pics look clean non hacked.  I mean I would pay a nominal fee for there notes on the swap step by step . We've got the motor in the car now getting ready to hook up the inline electric fuel pump and splice into the fuel lines, all new fuel injection high pressure rubber lines.   What do I get rid of on the wiring and what do I keep, will I still use the old regulator or what?  Pleases help!!!!!  I'm not stupid   just   stumped.

Offline nothingtodo

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if anyone sends me a message, I can send you my notes I use to have on my website on how I did my Pinto swap.

Offline Ruger Nut

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I dont know how to PM on here.  I would gladly post my email addy if that would help?

Offline Wittsend

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Hello,

  The problem with these swaps is what year Pinto and what year engine/computer/harness are you using? That would be helpful to get someone with your configuration to reply.

This is not going to likely be much help, but I used the 88 Turbo Coupe harness in my 73 wagon.  I thought I would simplify the difficult by transferring the Turbo Coupe alternator, harness, fuse block, relay box, and for that matter the steering column.

 What a NIGHTMARE!  I spent days upon days figuring out what I didn't need as there are hundreds of wires (ABS, Ride Control, etc.). As it is I still have about 15 "not sure" wires. I've looked at wire diagrams until I was going blind. I must have crawled a few miles just tracing wires ( I had the T/C harness one the ground).

 And frankly it still isn't right. The car runs much better (but still not right) with the spout removed.

A lot of people say the Merkur harness is best because it was intended to be a stand alone.  But for the 88 engine I think I recall some wires missing and pin outs on the computer that need to be reset. So, I recall the Merkur harness being best for 86 and earlier.

So, sorry to say there is no simple solution.  Hopefully by posting the particulars of your setup some one with similar will reply.

Tom

Offline Ruger Nut

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Thanks for the replies,  The particulars on my set up is as follows:  I have a 79 2 door glasshatch, It had a 2.3L , standard steering , standard brakes, standard transmission, I removed the A/C system,  I wasn't for sure if it was factory or dealer install, it needed more repair than I wanted so was removed it .  I plan on and have crossed referenced the 84-86 alternators and they matched, I have a 85-86 T/C 2.3L turbo , 2 wire harnesses  and a PK computer, we have swapped  the pans relocated the dip stick , made clearance for the o2 sensor and turbo by relocating the battery, new motor mounts,  new flywheel, which also crossed the 84-86 T/C flywheel, new hi volume oil pump, since we had the pan off anyways, sealed everything back up , new water pump, thermostat , and timing belt, new plugs and plug wires,  put everything back in TDC  timing, all rubber hoses have been replaced, along with all vacum lines, modified the 79 alternator bracket for it fit the Turbo motor.  We have reinstalled the old 4 speed for now, eventually I'll have a 2.3 T5,  I have a replacement 78 Pinto 8" w/ 3.40 gears soon to be swapped when we get the motor running,It will be cleaned and set in place with all new brake parts and new seals and gaskets along with new leaf springs. The stopping point is where we're  at,  is changing all fuel lines to high pressure FI hoses, and a electric fuel pump w/ inline FI fuel  filter.   We have matched all plugs and descerned which plugs go where on the motor  ,  in a nut shell thats as far as we got.  What to keep and what not to on the orignal 79 harness and where and what to splice on Turbo harness is what I'm struggling with,  my Email is      brockie135@hotmail.com      any help will be gladly appreciated.   Thanks!!

Offline Wittsend

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OK, this is my limited knowledge on the earlier setups. There is switched 12 volts needed to the computer. Possibly you could use the power (+) to the Pinto coil, but beware because there could be a resistor in the wiring (not sure).

 There is also "keep alive" constant 12 volts needed to the computer.  There is a feed that comes off the computer to trigger a relay to power the fuel pump.  I could be mistaken, but I think most everything else runs to the engine and associated components.

It might get a bit tricky with the sensors for the engine and those needed for the gauges (I'm thinking water here).

Make sure you harness (and associated sensors) match the pin outs on the PK computer. Bill use to be great for information on the swap. I think he is mostly over at turbopinto.com now.  You should check there.  Also the Ranger Station and NATO (put Thunderbird in the search) have a lot of stuff.  It has been nearly three years now and I've forgotten half of what I use to know.  :-( 

Hope it gets worked out for you. Here's a picture of my wiring Nightmare using the TC steering column!

Tom

Offline fast64ranchero

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71 Pro-Street pinto 2.3T powered
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73 pinto, the nice one...

Offline Ruger Nut

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Thanks I appreciate the responses. I went to the sites you listed,  am considering the RJM wire harness,  seems less confusing,  also do I need th TC constant control relay box for the harness?  If so what is the # on the CCRelay I need