i have a 1977 pinto cruising wagon with a 2.3 4cyl. I have the chance to buy a totally rebuilt 2.8 v6 with the 4 speed tranny out of a 1976 mustang.
Q: Is this an easy swap?
Would it be better to rebuild the 2.3 and my tranny, or go with the v6 option?
And what else would I need to do this swap. Everything including the motor mounts are already on the 2.8 v6.
later all.
Keeb~
Seeing as both of those are stock Pinto engines, and provided that the motor brackets on the V6 are for the Pinto mounts, it should be a simple swap.
I'd jump at that if I were you.
You'll probably need wiring harnesses if they aren't included with the V6.
I certainly wouldn't hesitate doing that swap. Of course, this from a guy who doesn't hesitate at too much.
As far as I know, (looking at the pictures) it has the original Mustang II motor mounts. Between my 2.3 and the 2.8 mounts, aren't they the same?
Also, is there a difference in the harness for these engines/cars? I have never dealt with the 2.8 , so i'm not sure about the wiring plugs, etc.etc.
here is a pic of the motor/tranny.
(http://i17.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/3b/b9/8a_1.JPG)
Thanks,
keeb~
It's hard for me to see in the pic exactly what you've got going mount-wise. The 2.3 engine mounts connect to the frame mounts with a bolt that runs horizontally front to back. It looks like your engine mounts have a couple of holes for bolts to go in towards the side.
The V6 Pinto and I4 Pinto engine mounts are not the same. You may get lucky and have the piece bolt to the frame in place of the original frame mount. You may need to locate the engine mounts for the V6/Pinto combo.
I don't know what wiring harness mods you'll *have* to make. I think most of your engine wiring is there (coil-distributor-plugs). But some of the other wiring that runs between the car and the engine may need spliced/fabbed/modded.
Roger that! I'll go ahead with the buy then, and keep ya posted. If it all works out, I may have a 2.3 engine with a "Draw Through" turbo setup for sale, soon. If anybody would be interested.
later.
Keeb~
Thanks for the info Bro!
I just looked up the mounts on Rockauto.com. The Pinto and Mustang II are basically the same car. Part numbers for the mounts for the Pinto and Mustang II are identical.
If I remember correctly, there isn't much difference in the wiring between a 4-cyl and the V6, if they are different at all. If there is any difference it would be the length of several individual wires going to temperature sensors, etc.
https://www.rockauto.com
I finally got the Engine and transmission to my house.... Looking at the differences, i found that the wiring will have to be Extended to the Distributor and Fuel hose lengthened...neither a big deal... BUT...
the bellhousing on the 4speed 2.8 v6 has a different Clutch assembly. Looks like it still used a cable but it uses a VERTICLE armature instead of a horizontal one. Will this be a problem?
One of the Motor mounts were cut out and only has the upper half, can I use the Pinto motor mounts to make it fit, or repair the mount from the pinto mount, if the numbers are the same?
also.... one last question...would you pull the engine / tranny out as ONE unit or split them for removal...I have a cherry picker and ramps on a dirt driveway...a little ackward to move around, so im looking for the easiest method.
Also to note, this is everything that has been done to this engine / tranny...
Complete rebuild,
+.10 overbore,
crank milled,-.10
chrome rings, forged pistons, new rods and gaskets.
Pistons were knurled and the carb rebuilt.
New clutch pack, and tranny rebuilt, new bushings to "Make the shifter tight again"
all this was done 6 years ago , the car was wrecked only after 3 months after the rebuild and the engine turns over by hand with the plugs out, with a wrench with the plugs in. The oil still looks like new (clean)...
Thanks everyone!
Keeb~
I would look into grabbing some mounts from a 2.8 Pinto/Mustang II. That would probably make it your best bet for a direct bolt-in.
I always thought it was easier to pull the engine and tranny out together as a unit. Especially if it the tranny was an automatic. Either way it is not terribly difficult but sometimes the top bolts on the bellhousing will test your patience when you are trying to tighten them in the car.
If I were you I would look for all the relevant hardware/parts from a Mustang II with a 4-speed and put that into the Pinto. I'm guessing at this, but I think you may be able to bolt-on all the clutch assemblies since the Mustang II and Pintos have very similar bodies.
QuoteI always thought it was easier to pull the engine and tranny out together as a unit.
I second that.
QuoteOne of the Motor mounts were cut out and only has the upper half, can I use the Pinto motor mounts to make it fit, or repair the mount from the pinto mount, if the numbers are the same?
Just replace the mounts with V6 mounts for Pinto/MII.
I think he may be referring to the Frame Rail mounts, they should be exactly the same. However, the pedals do NOT interchange from the Mustang II to the Pinto they are different.
If I remember right, the Mustang II and the Maverick/ Comet pedals interchange perfectly, the Pinto does not.
But will the Clutch cable on the Pinto work with the Mustang Bellhousing Clutch Lever assembly? Seems that they both Pull the lever to activate the clutch, and have the same basic connections, just different levers.
If the weather holds out, I will be pulling the 2.3 and tranny on Wednesday... I'll keep everyone posted...
One more thing...the tag on my rear axle is mostly destroyed and only got a few numbers off of it.... as far as I can tell it has a gear ratio of 3.08, but cannot determine what size the axle is....wether its a 6.75" or 8"....any way of telling just by looking? The access pannel opens from the rear.
And where I can get a set of gears to go to at least 3.55, or posi locker for it? I have a Foxbody 1981 mustang sitting in my back field witrh a good axle in it, but is not leafspring and is an unknown ratio (had a 200 IL-6, Automatic) .....any ideas on that too?
Thanks for everyones answers and patience.....
Keeb~
I don't know about the clutch cable. I can tell you that you have a 6.75 rear, the 8" comes apart right behind the pinion shaft. I have a 7.5 out of an 82 Mustang in my Pinto, just had to cut off the coil spring stuff and have the leaf spring perches welded on.