Hi Folks,
I have a nice custom car with a 2.3 pinto motor from about the mid 70's. It has a C3 auto transmission.
Will a later motor from the 80's or 90's fit right into the chassis and C3 transmission and headers?
Appreciate the help
yes, any 2.3 or 2.5 lima ohc ford. although youll have to use your c3 flexplate and whatever motor mounts you are using. i think the 2.5 went through 2001 but i dont think the intakes from a 2.3 will bolt to the later 2.5 head. also starting in 89, ford went with a edis with 8 plugs. i cant remember which started first, mustang or ranger. anyhow, one of them started to run the 8 plug motor in 89 and the other in 91.
bob
80 - 90s 2.3 will work. Fred :)
Thank you for the replies.
I am assuming that a later 4 or 5 speed auto transmission will fit up to the same motors as well.
Thanks again.
Fred
yes but youll have to see whats available that isnt comp controlled. i think your only option is the a4ld but i could be wrong. and to be honest, i dont even know for sure if that a4ld isnt comp controled. im not really sure what the rangers had.
bob
Fred I used a 94 Ranger eng. with 5spd in my 73 Pinto. I take electronics off and install point dist. use 4 plugs. Fred :)
End result. Fred ;D
YOU could also use a turbo 2.3....... ;D
Any ford 2.3L Single Over Head Cam (non-duratec) engine will fit and bolt up. A 2.3 TURBO will still work but you will have to cut holes for turbo and downpipe clearance. A 2.3L OHV (overhead valve) engine will NOT work. These are found in ford tempo and mercury topaz cars are are front wheel drive. The duratec engine found in the focus also will notwork. There is another 2.3L ford found in the the rangers after about '99. These too will not work. There are many many 2.3 SOHC applications to choose from, i couldnt possibly tell you them all. You can locate an engine and come back here and ask us if it will work. I would find a 74 to 80ish ranger/mustang 2.3 and run it with a MSD 6a and stock duraspark distributor. OR use an 85-88 mustang/tbird/xr4ti 2.3L turbo. It is EFI and you will need to do some wiring and use a high pressure fuel pump to make it work but its worth it. Imagine nearly 200hp under the hood instead of just under 100, and with better mileage and driveability.
Quote from: pintoguy76 on April 08, 2009, 07:17:01 PM
There is another 2.3L ford found in the the rangers after about '99. These too will not work.
the 2.3 in the ranger that wont work is the dohc version. the 2.5s are the same as the old lima 2.3. the turbo 2.3 actually started in the mustangs in 79 and went fuel injected in the thunderbird turbo coupes in 83. the last year was 89 in the merkur xr4ti's.
bob
Thanks, I knew I was missing some bits and pieces. I totally forgot about the carbed 2.3 turbo from the 79 to... 81? mustang. I had one a few years back. Good bit of info on the 2.5, forgot about it too. Id like to have a turbo 2.5 ;D
Thanks for all the info guys. ;D
I have been away for a week and a bit and have just caught up with the replies.
Many Thanks.. Fred :smile: