Put a down payment on a '73 Pinto 2.0 and trans yesterday, it's coming out of the car this week. I should be making some progress after Thanksgiving. Goodbye oil smoke, goodbye 27mph! Hello figuring out a miss-timed motor, and especially hello cooling issues!
for my reference: timing marks http://www.fixya.com/cars/t13113547-timing_marks_1972_ford_pinto_2_0 The codes to identify a head with hardened valve seats (unleaded) are as follows: for 2.0L with Carb - L, P, PP, R or RR they are found stamped near the no.4 spark plug, fi you wire brush the area down it should be visible.
Finally got it! No progress at all on anything whatsoever though, I got called into work while I was out picking it up. Came out of this clean '73, which is getting a nasty big block chevy, set up as a quarter mile car....
That ridiculously long output on the FOG 4 speed is a big issue. I either need to tear down the trans and see what I might be able to do to shorten up the mainshaft, output housing, and shift linkages, or look for a shorter transmission. There are other options for this motor but finding published transmission length dimensions based on bellhousing pattern isn't easy. I may be looking into a side draft carb setup too, the SOHC can come up between the seats if needed, but that would put the carb well into the left seat. I knew as soon as I put a tape on it that it would be very tight, and was about 3" taller than the drawing that I based my choice on. I don't have much into this so if I have to go another direction the only thing really wasted is time. I wonder if the drawings I saw may have been the 73-down 1600 or 1800 not this monster 2300. Naturally I haven't been able to find that drawing again but I seem to recall an indicated 21-22" height. This is a full 25". Back burner for now with those complications.
You might also consider a motercycle engine as they might be a bit smaller and can put out plenty of power for a minitruck. not to mention, they are lighter than car engines. but if you don't want to spend more money than you have to just use the things you already have.
Should be able to put a Borg-Warner T5 trans w/adapter plate behind that 2300. Shorter tailshaft & 5 spd. Would be a very potent combination. Should be able to find them anyplace as they were used in a lot of vehicles back in their day. Fred
transmissions are the tough thing for a non-automotive engine. I was thinking of shaft drive ATVs but I'm not in that world myself and couldn't find a good reference for what's what. I'm settled on another route now, I'll have the large parts lined up by Thanksgiving. Not sure when I'll get under way.
I am thinking about doing a body lift on my Suzuki Cary then I might be able to bolt a Metro motor in? It's a 1000cc 3 cylinder!
