Pinto Car Club of America

Hello everybody!

I have a 1976 Bobcat wagon that was originally a 2.3 automatic. I was never happy with the automatic so when my wife blew the engine I bought a 60,000 mile pinto that had a 2.3 4-speed and put the engine and transmission in the wagon. Even with the change to a 4-speed I still was not happy with the performance of the 2.3. It seemed to me that it never had the power my old 1973 2.0 4-speed Pinto wagon had. The rear main seal got to leaking and I parked it thinking that I would fix it sometime, now it has been sitting for about eight years. Time passes fast.

Now there are several ways I could go with the Bobcat. I have a 85 Mustang 2.3 4-speed that runs great but some idiots vandalized it. I could use that 2.3 in the wagon and have it in driving order quickly. I have a bunch of 302s sitting around but there would go my gas mileage. Or I do have a complete 1989 Aerostar 3.0 5-speed. I was thinking about putting the 3.0 5-speed in my 1950 Ford but I am leaning towards a 302 in it but I am starting to think that 3.0 5.speed would look pretty good in a Bobcat wagon. I am thinkng the 3.0 5-speed would get decent gas mileage and have more power than the 2.3 4-speed.

I have been thinking about resurrecting the old Bobcat but what is the best thing to do with it? Has anyone ever put a 3.0 in a Pinto/Bobcat?