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Author Topic: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine  (Read 1564 times)

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Offline Francis Stanisci

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1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« on: May 25, 2016, 06:45:31 PM »
OK, I did do a search and didn't gain much from the posted info. Most of it was dated (as in years old) SO I'm hoping for more current info not yet posted or shared. One thread I read indicated that it IS physically possible.

With the exception of paint my Pinto is all original. Even has a working AM/FM Stereo 8-track.

I acquired a working 3.8SC engine (I'll check date, but believe 1990). I have just about everything but the computer and harness. I plan to stick with auto, and if necessary would consider going AODE or just AOD.

Thoughts, links, documentation appreciated.

Why? Just because. The weight difference is really close, much closer than a V8 swap. Power to weight will be exceptional. Good mid RPM Torque and HP. Should be very "drivable".

Thank you!

Offline ricohman

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2016, 08:43:07 PM »
Now this is a unusual and cool project. I have never seen one done but you should scrounge a donor car for the harness and transmission. At the very least the vss on the trans will need to talk to the computer.
When you do strip the harness grab every sensor along the way. Then you can figure out what you need and what you don't as you go along.

Offline pinto_one

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2016, 09:21:11 PM »
The 3.8SC engine may be to tall and you do have a inter cooler on one side , kind of bulky , helped a friend remove one to fix bottom end noise , over 200k of being rode hard and put up wet , do not know if you have enough room , and you still have to see if you can mod the oil pan , rear sump to front sump and make up motor mounts , and your car is nice don't cut it up , find a rust bucket to try on , a bolt in would be a 2.9 out of a merkur Scorpio , use the same mounts ,oil pan and transmission, as for the computer vss on the trans us the speedo cable from a bronco II, if you want more power use the up to 1994 ranger 4.0 , the 2.8 mounts , flywheel and trans will bolt to the 4.0. The oil pan from the 2.8 will fit with some mods on one side , (I have already done a trial fit , use stock radiator too,  hope this helps , later Blaine



76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline Francis Stanisci

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2016, 09:51:10 AM »
Appreciate the comments so far. I'll be pulling the old motor soon as I plan to rebuild and keep with the car. I don't wish to do a "hack" job of this. One thing I will do is a "test fit". I'll get the engine down to a long block to lower in for visual confirmation. I can then work out the motor mount issue. If I can get it in there I can then add pieces to see where I stand.

I thought about height, but we'll see. That Supercharger sits quite low. When you consider that people have used the Offy intake (which has a slight riser, then add a carb on top of that, then the air cleaner, and still fits under a stock hood, I'm hopeful and optimistic. Worst case, I find a donor hood and make it look like a Chevy "Cowl" hood, like my El Camino.

Looking forward to more comments.

Honestly a big part of this is "why not?". Long time ago I thought about using a dual turbo Buick/Pontiac 215 V8. All aluminum. Lighter than the 2.8 V6. But finding a good 215 donor is a real problem. Most have been damaged by electrolysis.

Again, thank you!

Offline pinto_one

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2016, 08:17:10 PM »
Guess so when you say why not , as for me I was always a fan of bolt it in if you can just in case you change your mind later , crossed that path a few times and lucky all I had to do was to bolt every thing back the way it was , here is one bolt in I would like to try if I can get my hands on it , a 2.9 24valve cosworth , yep it's 2.9 with nice heads on it , the pluss is it's a bolt in , just bolt your 2.8 pan and engine mounts and bolt it up to the original trans in you car and wire it in , but just a thought , look it up and enjoy, have a good one 👍
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline russosborne

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2016, 12:18:43 AM »
ahh, what fun is bolt in? ;D

seriously, I have enough problems with just doing bolt in, yet I really want to do the 351C in mine.  ???

Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline pinto_one

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2016, 05:51:51 PM »
It's possible to bolt in a 351 C in a pinto , (but only if you find a early 70s Pro Stock pinto that was set up for it) 😎💰😎,   I have done my fair share of engine swapping , after my first Butcher job of trying to stuff 289 into a 1962 1200 Fiat I learned my lesson in the late 60,s , if I could not bolt it in and not use the Gas axe (torch) to cut a huge hole to install the engine , now time, space and money are the way of my old life , keep the dream of doing it one day , hope one of the pinto guys see this and has done a bolt in with a small amount of surgery, 👍       So we can all comment on this engine swap ,  is it   A . Install. ,  or B.  a implant ?? ⚒⚒
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2016, 07:27:15 AM »
LMAO.... ;D ;D ;D

Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline Francis Stanisci

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Re: 1977 Cruising Wagon, 2.8 to 3.8SC engine
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2016, 05:40:20 PM »
It's possible to bolt in a 351 C in a pinto , (but only if you find a early 70s Pro Stock pinto that was set up for it) 😎💰😎,   I have done my fair share of engine swapping , after my first Butcher job of trying to stuff 289 into a 1962 1200 Fiat I learned my lesson in the late 60,s , if I could not bolt it in and not use the Gas axe (torch) to cut a huge hole to install the engine , now time, space and money are the way of my old life , keep the dream of doing it one day , hope one of the pinto guys see this and has done a bolt in with a small amount of surgery, 👍       So we can all comment on this engine swap ,  is it   A . Install. ,  or B.  a implant ?? ⚒⚒
Um, yeah, uh, ok give me a sec to wrap my head around that one. I guess wheelies are out of the question eh? That's too funny.