Well done on getting to this stage, a great milestone of the build
I can,t help with regard using the Pinto ( I used the 1.8CVH engine ), did you make your own engine mounts? As they tend to dictate the height that the engine sits in the chassis.
There are a few members using the Pinto, but have a look at Ash G,s build photos as he used the Pinto originally ( lots of photos of his build in his signature ), might help in some way to clarify things .
cheers
andy