Hi! new here and to the whole experience. My son wanted a project for us, and may even be able to get school credit for it. Has to be cheap!
I just brought home a '75 Bobcat with 2.3 and auto. - exciting drive, can't get a better car for $200 I bet, but has a bad idle, weak acceleration. I'm no mechanic and need to know how to get a price on a rebuild and what would be fair. I am not committed to the original engine and would take advice on remanufactured engines and their availability, the pros and cons of used engines, etc.
I haven't been able to tell who may be close to me. We are near Oregon State U. in Corvallis and I could pull my small trailer up and down I-5 a reasonable distance to fetch a deal on parts to heavy to ship practically.
Perhaps someone could tell me if I have a C3 or how to tell?
I am not much of a mechanic, twisting wrenches and directly replacing external parts is my limit.
I need to know about interchangeability. What year engines are direct bolt-ins, which would need different flywheels, etc?
Stock hp is fine with me, but I like eliminating clutter and complexity. I may get a nice valve cover and air cleaner to dress up the engine bay, and though my power steering works perfectly, it feels over-assisted and unneccessary - anyone got a line on a goo manual rack & pinion to eliminate the pump from my engine bay?
This will be my 3rd try to post - got a server error message the first 2 times and all my typing was gone!
Gary
Hello, To i.d. the tranny you can look at the vehicle certification label. This is located on the drivers side door jam. Look on the bottom row forth spot in it should read TRANS. The codes are as follows=
5 === 4 speed manual
E === 4 speed manual
W === C4 automatic
V === C3 automatic transmission
Why dont you try to rebuild this motor yourself? I have the HAYNES Manual Pinto/Bobcat 1975 thru 1980, This manual will walk you thru every step. This would be an easy little engine to learn on. Hope that I could help Good Luck Tim
P.s. I had to try 4 times to post that message!
I am in Beaverton. Let me know what you are looking for and I might be able to find it for you.
Hey Tim,
That is the price of not having to log in every time. "I guess"
I do not like the upgrade.
I'd rather log in every time and have the Member map back!
The up-grade stinks!
From Pintony
I checked on the map, Tony, and they said they are working on getting it put back on the site. I guess it was not compatible in it's format with the new upgrade. I agree, I am not happy with the upgrade, but hopefully they are working out the bugs for us. :-\
Thanks, Tim, I have the C3 . Any thing I should lmow about these? Should I obtain a C4 if it becomes available? Will it bolt right up?
If the C3 is trouble free I won't worry about it.
What about the rest of the code? Is there a translation table somewhere? I have a rub where the rearend is marked but I think it says 4. What would that mean?
I don't know if rebuilds come easy enough for me!!! Was there any machining involved?
Hey, Tigger, Let me know if you come across any good deals on a motor that would get me driving around worry free.
Thanks,
Gary
Last I checked B&R had some engines for sale if you want to go that route. About a year ago the Corvallis yard had a '74 2.3 wagon with a 4 spd. looked like they pulled it out of a field. I grabbed the header and a few other parts off it. I know there were lots of other 2.3 cars in the yard at the time. I haven't been there for a long time, but I'll be going back soon looking for a Chevy truck cab. I'll take a look around. Also they used to default the pintos down to the B&R yard in Eugene. I don't know if they still do, but it might be worth a call or trip if you need other parts.
Karena
Thanks, I appreciate it, Karena. As a newbie to the process, would you explain default to me - good or bad thing?
Ran into a Californian who is spending some time at Sand Lake with his buggy.
He has a very built 2.3, quite impressive, claims 240 hp and many thousands, sounds like he has the Esslinger crews home phones on speed dial.
He's yanking it for a supercharged Buick V6 when he gets home and will sell the Ford for $2500!
He's from around El Chico.
Gary
I ran my engine the way I got it(plus a few bolt-ons) for 2 light race seasons up to about 6000. When we pulled the head to change cams it looked like it had been rebuilt somewhere in the past. .030 pistons I think. It's still never had anything more than the head pulled off and it regularly went up against a 7400 rev limiter till last summer. It's even been over 8k a few times when dad decided we should "try out the new rear end" (8" 4.62 gears, mini spool, 4" street tires in a Benton county February)Yea, the only place he gets to drive it now is from the pits to the staging lanes!
Anyway besides all my rambling, the point was that if it runs okay, maybe you don't need to rebuild the entire engine for a street car? A lot of improvement can be had with a new exhaust and intake on the 2.3s without going internal. The rear end I would guess it's a 6 3/4". Look at the car from the back. If you can see the bolts holding the differential cover on, then it's a 6 3/4". If it looks round and smooth and the bolts are on the front side it's probably an 8". I don't have a manual with codes handy right now. It seems like there was a decoder on the site somewhere. As for the transmission, I don't do automatics. I don't drive 'em and I don't race 'em. Takes all the fun away!
240 hp is a lot for an n/a. does it have a turbo? sounds like a bit much to be streetable, but maybe? I get myself into enough trouble with the 120 or so hp that I had.
What school are you at that will give credit for this?
My son will be a sophomore at Philomath High and wants to see if he can figure out a way to make this his senior project.
I wouldn't change or rebuild just for performance - not into it anymore, the engine is just bad. If I was extremely lucky, it is just a clogged converter, but the previous owner said he heard a noise and saw a puff of smoke and it has struggled since. That's when he cut back and eventually stopped driving it.
A little trouble starting but always will, shakes like a wet dog anywhere near idle, revs slow, builds speed slowly, don't know how fast it would go, but my guess is not very!
The older Californian was real proud of all the details of his engine, quoted a lot of high dollar prices. I asked about streetability, especially starting and idle, he walked around the trailer, bumped the key and it started right up, loud, but not too much, started and idled without touching the gas, had a nice deep sound with a slight cam lope. I'd hate to invade his privacy for nothing, but if there are any serious buyers for a $2500.00 2.3 with all the trimmings and professional builders, I've got his number.
I'm wondering if I got my lazy butt out there and unhooked the exhaust at the converter, if I might be rewarded by a proper running engine - have my doubts, given the story the ex-owner gave. The tranny seems to shift tight, but need to feel it with a good running motor, brakes are great, as is steering (still want a manual R & P), all the lights seem to work, has new tires! and I drove it home for $200.
A fresh engine would be a good investment in a long and happy partnership, just a toss-up as to whether I'm cheaper than poor or vice-versa. Neither is a good mix with not being a good mechanic!
Gary
Mr Ballard and Mr Dealy would get a kick out of the car I'm sure. I graduated in 04 and created a fuel system as my senior project.
If he is going to use the car as his senior project the needs to figure out specifically what he wants his project to be. I had two friends who completely tore down engines, rebuilt them, and put them back in the cars. Also had a friend who learned to sew and reupholstered his car and put neon and a sound system and the like in it.
The thing about the senior project is it has to be specific enough for the panel to evaluate, there has to be a product (something they can see that you accomplished or completed), and the panel has to feel that the student completed the project not the mentor.
You've got a while to figure it all out, but I'd keep a lookout for someone who could act as a mentor.
As for the buggy engine, personally, I would pass. I'd go for a rebuild.
Perhaps the timing belt has jumped a notch or 2.
You might pull the cover and check to see if the marks are still lined up.
Hey :)
My son is in PHS and I went to school with "Mr. Ballard" aka scott as I know him. Great guy.
I work in corvallis at the Firestone there, I am the service manager, swing in sometime and bs a bit.
I am getting ready to start a father/son pinto project myself and will have a pile of parts left over.
We are installing 89stang 5.0 with FI, also using the 8.8 rear and have a very sweet c4.
Let me know if I can be of any help.
Dean
Amazing how many of us are in proximity! If you come and go south on 99w you probably passed my Bobcat alot. I caught a glimpse of it in a trailer park parking lot that was back out of sight until you were almost past it. I stopped in a couple of times, the second time, despite no indications that it was for sale, I knocked on some doors and owned it an hour later!
Are you in Halsey? My daughter's boyfriend says a friend of his down there is a real motorhead and he would like to rebuild my 2.3.
Little doubt our sons know each other - not the biggest school!
I had a busy 4th weekend and my son has excitement but no focus right now for the project. I need to check out the converter and the timing. A rebuild wouldn't hurt anyway, and would take care of all the old sludge on the block.
Gary
I stopped in at Pick a Part, B&R, and Aardvark in Albany today on my way home from school. No pintos, but there was a nice '77 m2 at aardvark that had been t-boned in the driver's side. Interior still looked ok. 2.3 auto 6 3/4 rear. The guy said it runs fine just has a crushed driver's side. has power brake/steering if anyone is looking for that stuff. I probably won't get to the Corvallis/Eugene yards till next week.
How many pintos do we have on here within driving distance of the Shedd Cafe? It'd be cool to see a few of them there on Thursdays. I haven't been in years, but there used to be a pinto wagon across the street. I wonder if anyone has rescued it?
Shedd cafe?? lol
My pinto doesnt like to drive right now, well forward anyway. I guess I could hit reverse as its only a few miles.
I live right down the road, I am in halsey.
From shedd go to halsey, left at the 4way stop, cross the tracks, take the second right and go one block.
Pinto in the driveway, one black 89 stang (pinto donor) and a BUNCH of early (61-67) ford econoline vans/pickups. If you miss those look for the purple doors on the house :o
We should all get together some day and do some bench racing and what not.
Dean