if the car is not a rust bucket don’t cut it up ,they do make a stroked 460 small block that is all aluminum turn key , but you still have to stuff it in there , if the floors are rusted out it could be easy to just install a pro chassis, I just made up my mind on my cruiser wagon on what engine to install , 3.5 ecoboost V6 , stock in the new ford Raptor it’s 450 HP , just about the same weight as the 2.3 you took out , QuickTime makes a bellhousing that will fit the light C4 or others , or even the 3.7 , same size but no turbos , 305 HP 30 plus MPG in a mustang , still would end up a 12 second car , good luck but don’t cut up a good pinto , they are getting scarce