1978 pinto 2.3 L

[towtruck]

Anybody use a 2.3 l out of a pinto , and is there any issues with using that engine ?

[snapper]

It's a rare beast in the UK, and while it looks like a 2.0L pinto nothing apart from the followers are interchangeable.
I believe Esslinger engineering in the USA do parts but every thing you need will have to be shipped

[towtruck]

thanks . I was worried that it wouldn't fit in the frame .

[twinturbo]

The Engine is called the "Lima"

TT

[towtruck]

You think it is an ok motor to start out with ? The car was free and it runs well.

[snapper]

"The car was free and the engine runs well"

That's fine but does the gearbox fit?
The gearbox tunnel is tight, if the box with the car is a problem, can you fit the "Lima" to a type 9 or MT75?
If not then "Free" becomes expensive and complicated.
The old phrase "No such thong as a free lunch" springs to mind.

I have a free VR6 engine in my nackered Galaxy, fitting it will be expensive.

[towtruck]

I never thought of that , I heard that the pinto had a narrow transmission ? I'm going to be taking it out in a few days so I'll find out then.

[twinturbo]

I have a free VR6 engine in my nackered Galaxy, fitting it will be expensive.


I should have gone for the VR6 rather than the 2.3 16V....



Somone on here is building from a Murkur XR4ti so ask them about using the lima.

TT

[ih8hardtops]

My son's north american Merkur XR4Ti came with a turbo 2.3 Lima bolted to a T9. It's my understanding that the pinto 4 speed is basically a T9 without 5th gear.
**The following information is for his C4 automatic transmission swap for a different project but may be helpful to someone**
We fitted a C4 **automatic** transmission that came from a 1972 2.0L pinto to the 2.3L Lima. The 2L bellhousing bolts on but the dowels on the Lima are too big for the transmission but can be rectified with stepped dowels or simply (not recommended) drilling the trans holes out . The flexplate to crank bolt pattern is different between the 2 & 2.3L (smaller bolt circle on 2L) and a 1975 2.3 (C4)Pinto flexplate was required for his combination as I didn't feel there was enough material to safely redrill. Both were 135 tooth. 2L or 2.3 starter worked with this combo. 2L converter (4 bolt mounting) was retained.
Jeff