PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Shiny is Good! => Your Project => Topic started by: sursmiliepin on June 27, 2017, 08:12:36 AM
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My new 80 has a week 2.3 that needs to be replaced . I guess its a 2.3. What is the easiest and ,or best swap.Would like to keep the carb and harness. Just need a dayly driver. Will the ranger motor work, what years? Thanks
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What makes the engine weak (sp)? How many miles? Have you checked the compression? A lot of times people have what can be a decent functioning engine but opt to spend significantly to replace it only to find it has maybe five more nearly unnoticeable horsepower.
In one sense, yes a Ranger 2.3 engine should fit. BUT, there are all kinds of subtle differences regarding mounting accessories etc.. And wanting to retain the harness and carb only complicate the matter. Most any Ranger engine you will find will be EFI. So, whatever the differences are to deal with; round ports, D ports, dual plugs, ignition, pulley type etc. need to be considered (and, no I'm not the guy to tell you). I'd:
1. Determine what is wrong (if anything) with the current 2.3.
2. If that engine is too worn then consider rebuilding it.
2. If that is not your choice then you have a lot of research to do. In one sense the "right" 2.3 should be a simple bolt in. On the other hand a "wrong" 2.3 might have you chasing odd parts. I'd guess that a junk yard engine will cost you in the $300-$500 range and a rebuilt in the $1,200 to $2,000 range.
Lastly will you be doing the work yourself..., or paying someone to do it.?
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I will be doing the work myself. Was hoping there was a simple fix, like changing intake and oilpan like I do on the 5.0s. I assume its just worn out, a little smoke. I gets me were Im going. Most info on here are for modified setups. Thanks.
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It might just be valve guide seals. Again I'd check the compression first. I only have the Turbo 2.3 version and I swapped the whole EFI over when I did the engine swap. I'm sure there are others here with far more experience on the subtleties of the 2.3 "what fits what" that changed over the years. Hopefully they will chime in. You might want to add more to the post Subject than just "2.3". That way others will know you are looking specifically at a potential engine swap and hopefully get more replies.
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Just understand that a stock 80 Pinto will never be a tire smoker. A new EVEN cheap car will have 2 to 3 times the HP of a stock 80 Pinto. In your case I would look at the cat converter as it could be stop'd up after 37 years.
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Yes, the Ranger will work. Just use all the original bolt on stuff. Simple swap.
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Thanks for the help. I think Ill do a rebuild at some time. 2nd gear is week, but car seems to do ok.I just have to be carful where and how I drive. It is a challenge to get up to speed on the on ramp.
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Yes, the Ranger will work. Just use all the original bolt on stuff. Simple swap.
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Not so. The Pinto intake manifold ports where it mates up to the head are much bigger than the Ranger head. Ford only made a manifold one year (early 80's) that would work. Some Ranger models have a different head that only a Ranger intake will fit. Rebuild your stocker will be the cheapest way.