Just wondering how popular the V6 option is. For a short time, I had a V6 wagon but sold it since the engine had low oil pressure. Looks like a crowded engine bay since they all came standard with AC included from what I can tell. Anyone getting decent power from it? I don't think it was rated much higher than the 2.3
m
I own a 76' V6 that will be restored shortly but is in great running order. It delivers a surprising amount of torque and runs very strong...I can smoke both tires on the 8" rear. I have a 2.3 model too and you can definitely tell a difference (but the cars are as different as night and day lol).
The HP and TQ ratings differed from year to year (the listed power that is) and changed due to different rating methods. The highest power either engine got was 2.3 L 92 hp and 121 ft·lb;
2.8 L 103 hp and 149 ft·lb in 1976.
And btw my unit does have factory air although I'm not 100% sure all V6's were equipped with it.
-beegle55
Hi, we have a 2.8, it is torn apart at the moment and I will be giving her a rebuild. This motor came out of a (build date) 01-78 and the car didn't come with A/C. it was an option on the build sheet. I have the original sales reciept with the listed options that the purchaser picked. the A/C was not written in.
As for power, from what I can gather from reading the internet about 2.8's and the early/mid 70's cars was that Ford had to set the factory HP on these cars/motors at lower ratings so that the "new" mustangs sold better numbers. I have read a couple places that said when the mustang was compared to the pinto the Pinto actually out performed a slightest increase over the Mustang, so ford had to "state" that the mustang's #'s where higher. I could stand to be corrected if the information that I had read is not 100% correct. I am sure someone here can give further references to this point.
cheers
I ordered my 1977 Crusing Wagon late in 1976 with out A/C. I vividly remember the salesman trying to get me to order the A/C. He even tried to convince me that A/C would save gas as I would not need to roll the windows down, so there would be less drag! NO, I didn't fall for it!
As for the engine and it's power, I love it. It will bury the 85 mph speedometer.
I have one with 41K miles. It runs great...powerful, smooth, good compression. I've heard these engines are durable, but tend to run hot. That's true with mine. It's going to a radiator shop today to have a complete check up to avoid a disaster later. Things other site members have taught me (especially Fred Morgan, Pintopower - thanks!):
* Sediment builds up in radiator - chemical flush it
* Keep hoses new
* Install a temperature gauge
Other than my cooling issue, which I hope to resolve this week, I'm very pleased with this engine. With this engine, the Pinto feels more like a smooth luxury car than an econobox. Of course, I love econoboxes too! I see a Pinto 2300 in my future too.
I have read a couple places that said when the mustang was compared to the pinto the Pinto actually out performed a slightest increase over the Mustang, so ford had to "state" that the mustang's #'s where higher. I could stand to be corrected if the information that I had read is not 100% correct. I am sure someone here can give further references to this point.
Along these lines, have you ever wondered why you could not get a 4 speed with a V-6 in a Pinto? I tried everything to get one in my Crusing Wagon in 1977 but Ford would not do it. Many years later I met an engineer who worked at Ford in the 70's and he expalined why. If you ordered a Mustang II with a V-6 and a 4 speed it would be slower than a Pinto with the same drive train due to the Pinto being lighter weight. Ford could not let this happen so...... no V-6, 4 speed Pintos!
I love these 2.8 threads. Thinking about doing a 2.3 - 2.8 conversion myself. If anyone can help me on my other thread, please do. Thanks!
Chris
Before Jumping in on the 2.8 ( and I know many like Alberto have had great luck with theirs) Read the Wikipedia Cologne Ford v6 page for all the weaknesses of this motor. Even the 2.9 Ranger motor isn't flawless, but better than the 2.8 as a stock motor. The conversion effort is the same but the Ranger has goodies available that would be an asset. Out in CA we are screwed for swaps without a Major Smog check Hassle, everything after 76 will get an Anal exam! So we ponder the net gain on this swap.
Just my two horse shoes worth.. UU
Pintosopher
My 2.8 in CA passed first time with flying colors...tons of margin left. As long as you haven't removed smog equipment and as long as the car is from CA, you should be good to go.
Well, here goes...INHALE... GO!
I love the 2.8. Well tuned (not in factory guise) they run amazing. Fast and smooth and average 25-28 MPG highway. They will pull hills like they are flat land and have plenty of power for A/C cars. When they are fully dressed models, they are no harder to work on than fully dressed 2.3s. I own three of them and they every time I finish a car I continually express how much I LOVE those motors. When built correctly, the never run hot, pass california's strict smog like Sarah Jessica Parker passes a buffet and sip fuel while blasting down the road at 75 mph.
Here are the list of problems.
Pintosopher is correct, read up!
They over head because people don't maintain their cooling systems. They should like S&*% because people don't adjust the valves. These are silent motors! Mine sound like sewing machines. Aside from mine, every one I have ever heard sounds like a diesel!
They crack heads easily because why? People don't maintain their cooling systems! The thermostat bolts rot and snap off in the bypass housing because...you guessed it, no maintenance. These engines are strong but have fragile cooling systems. The stock water pump needs to be ditched in favor of the aluminum anti-cavitation pump and all bolts in the water pump/thermostat housing area MUST be 316L stainless steel.
See, stainless...
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3635044648_c3cc9a571d.jpg)
Also, those pump bearing seals are weak. They need a 7 lbs cap MAX. I have seen so many blow with 13 pounders. These engines also hate headers. You want your 2.8 to over head and crack a head? Throw some headers on it. How do I know? I had some on mine. Carbs can be an issue. The 2700 VV is a pain in the butt. It is a brilliant carb BUT never works. The 2150 on the other hand is dead reliable. The offy intake is too much for a standard or slightly modified engine. A 2bbl carb tuned properly is more then enough for a 2.8. My '79 on the dyno pulled 130 at the rear wheels just tuned, blue printed and balanced. The stock 2.8 was 105 AT THE FLY WHEEL!
Basically, I love the engine. The only reason they have a bad wrap is that the 2.3 is BULLETPROOF! The 2.8 is amazing but you can't kill a 2.3.
DBSS1234 is dead right about the 4 speed in a Pinto. It would have been faster than a mustang.
So, would I swap a 2.3 for a 2.8? If the 2.3 is an auto, yes. If it is a stick, I could go either way if dropping the auto in with the 2.8. I know a guy that has four 2.8 Pintos with t5 trannys. I am going to do that conversion on my '79.
In closing, I love my 2.8's.
I also love my 2.3's.
As far as options on a Pinto mine is the King of NO!
No A/C
No Power Searing
No Power Breaks
No Deluxe Interior
Stop showing off Leonard!
Their is a few Yeses!
2.8 V6
FoMoCo C4
Ford 8"
Again with the showing off!
OK, because this seems to have become THE V6 thread, let me repeat some info I put in another thread that got from my mechanic. I'd be interested in comments. This shop (LA Radiator) is known as the BEST radiator place in LA...and that's saying a lot.
When I took my V6 in, he knew the engine right away, saying, "Oh, you've got the V6 2.8L. Good engine."
Prior to the visit, I removed, chemical flushed and re-cored the radiator. I replaced the water pump and radiator cap. Finally, I replaced every single hose.
Still, the car was running at 200 - 210, so I was worried. Here's what he told me:
* 210 is fine with the kind of driving I'm doing: heavy traffic, warm weather, lots of sitting, and then creaping along at 15 MPH (come to Hollywood on a weekday and you'll see what I mean!).
* He said if I really felt I wanted to have more cooling, I could put in a 7 blade fan, but that probably wouldn't make much difference.
* Overall, he said the engine is performing great, and don't worry about it (it runs quiet and pulls STRONG).
As an addendum, I did learn that the moist air in the car and steam on the windshield was because I have a leak in the heater core. So that has to be replaced. Here goes another $500!
Anyway, any thoughts on my mechanic's findings?
Quote from: Pintopower on June 04, 2010, 01:38:28 AM
Again with the showing off!
I missed one more yes!
Factory Ford dual exhaust!
Pintopower:
Tell us about your trip over the Grapevine with no second gear.
Quote from: beicholz on June 04, 2010, 07:48:42 AM
OK, because this seems to have become THE V6 thread, let me repeat some info I put in another thread that got from my mechanic. I'd be interested in comments. This shop (LA Radiator) is known as the BEST radiator place in LA...and that's saying a lot.
When I took my V6 in, he knew the engine right away, saying, "Oh, you've got the V6 2.8L. Good engine."
Prior to the visit, I removed, chemical flushed and re-cored the radiator. I replaced the water pump and radiator cap. Finally, I replaced every single hose.
Still, the car was running at 200 - 210, so I was worried. Here's what he told me:
* 210 is fine with the kind of driving I'm doing: heavy traffic, warm weather, lots of sitting, and then creaping along at 15 MPH (come to Hollywood on a weekday and you'll see what I mean!).
* He said if I really felt I wanted to have more cooling, I could put in a 7 blade fan, but that probably wouldn't make much difference.
* Overall, he said the engine is performing great, and don't worry about it (it runs quiet and pulls STRONG).
As an addendum, I did learn that the moist air in the car and steam on the windshield was because I have a leak in the heater core. So that has to be replaced. Here goes another $500!
Anyway, any thoughts on my mechanic's findings?
All in all, the v6 is a decent engine. As stated before by Pinto Power, their downfall was lack of maintinance and improper tuning. The 2.3 could survive the neglect quite well.
My brother had a '71 Capri with the 2.8 and a 4 speed, it had dual exhaust and ran like a scaulded dog!! There again, take a heavier Pinto wagon, a/c, p/s, smog pump, a/t, higher gear ratio, and it was a slug in comparison.
Not sure what kind of temps PP is getting his to run at but generally speaking, 210 is not hot. I like an aluminum flex fan, they move more air and free up some ponies. You could also add an electric fan in front of the condenser, hook it up to a toggle switch (with a relay of course) and flip it on to help with cooling in traffic and when the a/c is on.
And $500 for a heater core???? At that price I could do one a day (in about two hours) and have a nice weekly paycheck!! :lol:
Hey 71 Pintoracer...
Heater core replacement is done. The part was only $80. But the entire dash had to be removed to replace it. I don't even want to tell you how much it cost, but the shop that did it had someone drive 3 hours for the part, and then 7 hours of labor to take the dash out and put it back in. I came by half way through, and I'm just glad I didn't try to do it myself.
Just returned from a long, hot drive...100 miles. The V6 runs like a champ. Quiet, smooth, and between 190 - 210 the whole time.
This is one great car!
[quote And $500 for a heater core???? At that price I could do one a day (in about two hours) and have a nice weekly paycheck!! :lol:
[/quote]
If/when mine needs replacing, at least I know where to find someone who can do it in about two hours!
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: pintosopher on June 03, 2010, 03:49:25 PM
Before Jumping in on the 2.8 ( and I know many like Alberto have had great luck with theirs) Read the Wikipedia Cologne Ford v6 page for all the weaknesses of this motor. Even the 2.9 Ranger motor isn't flawless, but better than the 2.8 as a stock motor. The conversion effort is the same but the Ranger has goodies available that would be an asset. Out in CA we are screwed for swaps without a Major Smog check Hassle, everything after 76 will get an Anal exam! So we ponder the net gain on this swap.
Just my two horse shoes worth.. UU
Pintosopher
Pintosopher from what I understand at one time as each year advanced the vehicles requiring smog test would change. At one time 1976 models were exempted; however our friends at the state capitol decided to cease the annual change, at that time they rolled it back to 1975. See link.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535 (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535)
Need to move to Idaho! :lol: No smog required for vehicles built before 1980! :D
My V6 passed CA Smog with #'s that were a small fraction of the limits. If the car is tuned and has the catalytic converters in place, you stand a very good chance of passing.
Quote from: lencost on June 07, 2010, 09:48:07 PM
Pintosopher from what I understand at one time as each year advanced the vehicles requiring smog test would change. At one time 1976 models were exempted; however our friends at the state capitol decided to cease the annual change, at that time they rolled it back to 1975. See link.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535 (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535)
Leonard,
You are correct on the model year, I meant to say '76 & later cars,are the cutoff for exemption (75 & earlier exempt)
If indeed the Referee process is still functioning at CARB , we could slip in some 2.9, & 4.0l motors, but all the OEM smog stuff would have to be on the engine(76 & later cars). I would like a 2.9 or 4.0l in My 72 w/ a Manual, they would never know :read: :lol:
Pintosopher
To my V6 friends!
Ford V6 Cologne 2.8L (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQChNM_ekmc#)
NICE!!!!!!
I have had a 78 V6 in my garage for about ten years now. Got it from a guy who aquired it free for a couple parts and let it sit in a field for ten years. THe last time it was tagged was 86 and it has 70,000 on it. I have never fired it. It does not have AC.
I have a 78 Ghia Mustang with 2.8, auto. that I drove for many years. I never had over heating problems with it but milage was as bad as my 73 LTD wagon with 400m, I concidered 16 great. The only reasoin I parked it eight years ago was because I couldn't keep oil in it, rear main.
I would love to get the Pinto running with a four speed and dual exhaust that I took off a 75 mustang.
P
Back to Lencosts post about me going over the grapevine with no 2nd gear....
My C4 lost second on the way to a nor cal car show. That happens after 160,000 miles of driving and canyon runs and well, this:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2872205416_394790879f.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/2871373929_cfdc78fb25.jpg)
Needless to say I couldn't be to angry about the loss of second BUT I still had to get back home OVER the huge mountain on the 5 freeway at Gorman, The Grapevine. Well, upon approach I hit the hill at 90+. Turns out that was not necessary. The pinto FLEW up the hill at 75 mph. I had to back off the throttle since the hill did not slow the car while doing 90. I could not believe the power that engine had. So there you go, the Grapevine with no second gear.
Here is a picture I took:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/4123302677_5587ec8c63.jpg)
This is on EBAY!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380248410699&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380248410699&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT)