Current Classifieds

72 pinto wagon. 1 owner. 67K miles
Date: 10/14/2019 08:24 pm
1979 PINTO PARTS--FREE
Date: 09/13/2022 02:05 pm
1977 Pinto Cruizin Wagon

Date: 04/11/2024 03:56 pm
1979 Pinto 3-door Runabout *PRICE REDUCED*

Date: 01/21/2023 04:19 pm
Wanted Pinto Fiberglass Body Parts
Date: 05/19/2018 04:56 pm
Ford 2.3 Bellhousing C4/C5 & Torque Converter

Date: 07/08/2022 11:51 pm
2.3 engine and other parts- Free
Date: 12/13/2016 10:25 am
79 Wagon with many extras
Date: 07/08/2020 04:18 pm
71,72 Pinto Door Panels

Date: 06/17/2018 08:27 pm
Need lower control arms for 1973 pinto
Date: 02/27/2017 10:10 pm
1976 pinto for sale

Date: 01/12/2017 02:08 pm
Wanted Postal Pinto
Date: 09/26/2019 05:31 pm

Author Topic: RPM Range  (Read 1390 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline SleepingPinto73

  • Pinto Driver
  • *
  • Posts: 1
  • FeedBack: +0/-0
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 2
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Mobile User
RPM Range
« on: June 24, 2023, 12:15:25 PM »
My son and I just got a ‘73 Pinto Runabout 2.0L. We’ve searched everywhere but cannot find the RPM range for the stock engine. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Offline Wittsend

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2499
  • FeedBack: +241/-0

  • Total Badges: 8
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Mobile User Topic Starter Poll Voter 1000 Posts Linux User Windows User Fifth year Anniversary
Re: RPM Range
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2023, 01:51:57 PM »
"RPM Range" is kind of an ambiguous term in its two extremes that would be whatever the absolute minimum idle speed is before stalling up to the valves floating on the high end. Perhaps what you are looking for are the factory engine ratings for horsepower? My Haynes manual states the BHP rating is 100 @5500 RPM. Most published information states 86 HP. Unfortunately right around 1973 the method of measuring HP was changed and publication aren't always accurate. Also that 2 liter engine (often referred to as the EAO engine) was made in Germany and used in a lot of British cars so ratings were published for those markets.

 The EAO 2 liter engine is noted for lacking torque down low and it takes modifications to get power out of it in the higher RPM range. In general it would be safe to say the engine was rated between 86-100 HP. The rating seems to be in the 5,500 RPM range. Oddly my Haynes manual has a statement that "Maximum RPM Continuous is 5,850."  That would seem rather extreme and I'd not advise taking a used engine into that territory for any length of time. If your Pinto is an automatic it will shift long before it over revs. If a manual I'd drive it like most manual cars during acceleration, around 3,500-4,000 RPM then shift to the next gear. Cruising (sustained speed) RPM should be in the 2,500-3,000 range.


Offline Milescabbathway

  • Pinto Driver
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • FeedBack: +0/-0
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 1
    Badges: (View All)
    Mobile User
Re: RPM Range
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2023, 09:21:00 PM »
Agree 100% with wittsend.  My 73 2.0 4sp - idle about 800.   Cruise in the 2-3k range.  Rarely ever go over 4500k (but I’m just driving around, like normal). Cheers