Pinto Car Club of America

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: ziegld1 on February 08, 2009, 08:17:42 PM

Title: Sizing a motor
Post by: ziegld1 on February 08, 2009, 08:17:42 PM
OK I have been given a runnning motor out of a Pinto and don't know the size. How can I identify the size of the motor ? Casting number on block ? Please help thatnks. Ziegld1
Title: Re: Sizing a motor
Post by: dave1987 on February 08, 2009, 10:15:18 PM
 :welcome:

an easy way to identify a 2.3L motor is the oil filter location. It is usually a pretty hefty sized one that is screwed onto the block at the back of the engine towards the transmission.
Title: Re: Sizing a motor
Post by: apintonut on February 09, 2009, 03:48:46 AM
hmm good question i just know by looking and dont haft think about it but when i think about what come to mind is see the valve cover come to mind the 2.0 oil fill is towards the back of the valve cover MOST of the time BUT not on some Capri motors and the 2.3 oil fill is in the front of the valve cover MOST of the time the 2.0 distributor is smaller and the cap is held on with clips like a vw/ the 2.3 cap is held on with 2 screws most 2.3 the intake has a egr plate under the carb that is removable / the 2.0 carb has a smaller spread on the carb bolts and bolt to the manifold  the 2.0 is 1& 3/4 smaller in length and about 75lb lighter

hope this helps
Title: Re: Sizing a motor
Post by: dave1987 on February 09, 2009, 08:53:13 AM
Isn't the 2.0 oil fill the the other way around? My 2.3 and all that I have seen have it at the back corner nearest the driver's side on the valve cover.
Title: Re: Sizing a motor
Post by: pintoguy76 on February 09, 2009, 11:50:19 PM
Yes the 2.3 oil fillers are at the rear. The 2.0 oil fillers are at the front if i remember right. Also i dont think the 2.0 has a sight plug in the timing belt cover to check on cam timing without removing the cover. Can also look at the distributor. If its got electronic ignition is for sure a 2.3, if its points its probably a 2.0 but could be a 74 2.3. If it was a 1.6 the intake manifold would be on the passengers side of the car, and the 2.0 and 2.3s have the intake on the drivers side. Hope this helps.