Hey guys, I have read a lot of FAQs and old posts about guys that convert from 2.0 to 2.3. As some of you know I am putting a 2.3T into my '71 sedan, and I just wanted to hear from those who have done it. Is there any tips tricks or advice you have for me before I dive into this? From what I hear you just have to cut off the 2.0 mount towers and either bolt or weld the 2.3 mounts in place. Any major issue I should be aware of before I proceed? Also, will the 2.0 speedo cable gear plug in to the '88 turbo coupe T5 tranny, or do I need a different cable? Thanks.
Hi,
I'm not sure what posts you have looked at. Bill has a lot that were helpful to me. I also posted something similar.
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,11908.msg76893.html#msg76893
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,11909.msg76894.html#msg76894
To answer your two questions, the motor mounts do need to be removed. Depending on how you do so will determine the difficulty. I used an angle grinder and the rack and brake lines were still installed. It was difficult at times to get it in the right position to cut and not hit something.
I would not recommend trying to bolt the mounts in. The area is essentially hollow and could collapse without internal support. As a word of caution I had my engine in/out seven times before I was willing to commit to welding.
Yes, you can use the cable BUT use the gear from the T-5. The C-4 gear I originally used was "just" a bit too long and bound up on the end of the housing. This caused the internal gear on the tail shaft to "walk" backwards and disengage (better than going forward and stripping teeth). It was a hassle, but I was able to push the gear forward with a tube to get it back in the right place. There was a possibility that the clip could have fallen off the gear and necessitated pulling the tail shaft.
All the best, Tom
Hey, thanks for the reply. Do you think it would be possible to just modify the original 2.0 mounts to work with the 2.3 or do they have to be removed completely?
How did you test fit your engine's placement in the car before deciding to weld it up?
No, the 2.0 mounts are more to the rear and angled. The 2.3 mounts are more forward and for lack of a better term straight, flat etc.
Basically I lowered the engine in. I had a neighbor who had a rolling engine hoist. He loaned it to me for about 5 weeks - FREE!
FYI I looked at a LOT of pictures of other installs in the hope I could just measure off some point. But in the end I think it is basically a hand fit.
I have about 3/16" clearance on the rack in places and still hitting a little on the hood regardless of grinding all I can off the intake. I can't imagine getting the engine back any further and seem to have about 3/8" clearance with the water pump bolts and the radiator. Even after all my "trials" I consider it fortunate that I got it as good as I did.
The early cars and the 2.3 are a lot more work. Here are a few pictures. The motor mounts are not mine, but are 2.3 mounts in a 2.0 car. As you can see the lower bolt hole just hangs there. You can't see it because of the hose, but the upper one does similar. Thus, the need to weld them in.
Tom
Drill the spot welds and use an air chisel to get the old frame mounts out the easy way. You can even use a hammer and chisel if you don't have air. There is a special drill bit made for drilling out the spot welds, it is kind of flat on the end so it only goes through the outermost metal.
Absolutely, that is another alternative. The only thing I don't like is that there is a succession of dimples in the frame. Probably not an issue... but. That is why I opted for the painstaking method of using an angle grinder. Either method will work.
On the other hand you now have a set of 2.0 mounts to sell to guys like Woodie who want to put a 2.0 in a 2.3 car. ;D
Tom