You have a 1971 Pinto ?  . The T-9 is a version of the same 4 speed that is in most 2.3's but I'm not sure which one you have. Is this a 2.0 or a 1.6 engine? I think the 1.6 had a different transmission. As for the oil filter yes mine fit in a 1976 Ford Pinto Wagon with a 2.3 but I have not finished the install IE I have not turned the key and checked for leaks. I had to rotate the oil filter assembly so the filter is parallel to the engine not straight down. To get the engine with the turbo exhaust manifold into the car I just cut out the area where the battery was and will mount a cover plate over the hole. Yes, it was rusted any way. You will also need to consider where to place the battery , how to run the wiring, cooling system changes and of course the fuel system. What kind of rear end are you going to use ? The 8 inch rear end was a standard for V-6 Pinto's but I'm not sure if the early models had one offered or will fit... Yes with allot of money and a good fabrication artist , you can make anything fit but remember it's all about the money. I would have just started with a 2.3 or a V-6 and started from an easier car to mod in the first place. After all, a Ford 2.3 will mount the same as any other 2.3 engine , it's getting all of the other details worked out...That makes the swap work...

Only SVOs and '87-88 'Birds came with intercoolers, so no, the Merkurs didn't have one.

A T9 is the easy way to get a 5-speed for your pinto since it is based on the 4-speed. I wish I had found an XR4Ti driveline for that reason, but I'll have to settle for a World Class T5.

The hardest part of the swap is probably going to be finding the frame and block brackets for a 2.3 followed by a front-sump Pinto pan & pickup. That's been my experience so far, anyway. I found a race pan, but am about *this* close to just using the Turbo Coupe engine brackets and fabricating my own for the frame.

 my advise would be, ditch the T9 and get a T5.  T5=better, stronger