1978 Ford Pinto Pony, what turbo diesel to install?

[vacationtime247]

Sooo envious of that 283 59 Bel Air. Amazed that the original points, condenser and wires were still in good shape. Must have been pretty low mileage or well maintained. Did you put the diesel in the cylinders to unseize it or to remove the build up from sitting? Can see the benefits of helping to remove any rust / contaminent particles on top of the piston in the bore of the engine. Certainly don't want to break a piston sealing ring. May have to perform this technique at some time and is always good know. Was outside looking at the Pinto just today. Covered in snow sadly. : ( Garage has my 1987 350 V8 Toyota Supra and 1983 Mazda RX7 convertible in there. Sure I could squeeze it in, but I like to move around easily.
Know I'll keep the Pinto as it's monetary value doesn't excede the sentimental value. Besides, how much is it really worth? $1-$2k? But just can not watch as it sits any longer.
*Warning: Sappy car story*
Grandmother bought the car in Ohio from the original owner, another ol' lady. Believe they paid $1000 for it years ago and it was still all original with 29K on the odo. Grandparents were the 2nd owner, I'm the 3rd. Purchased it for him after he was diagnosed with Alzheimers & Parkinsons. He was never able to drive it. Sat in their garage and driveway for years. After Grandpa passed away, grandmother stored it in my aunts barn / garage. It sat there for years. Grandma asked me what I would want if she were to will me anything. I wanted the Pinto. Few years later, get a call asking if I'd like it. Aunt and Uncle needed to clear the area for other storage and a remodel. Grandma asked if I'd want it. You bet I want it! When can I get it! Had it for 6-7 years now and haven't put 200 miles on it. Don't think it's had more than 1000 miles on it since being purchased from the original owner. Can't go far in it, the bias plyed tires seem kinda shady.
VT247

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Don't automatically assume all that work is needed. I resurrected my '59 Bel Air after it had a 32 year siesta... didn't change oil as it was honey-clear on the dipstick; didn't change plug wires or points or hoses or belts or filters either, as inspection showed they were all still useable! Had to change the carb as the throttle shaft was frozen, and I did give it new sparkplugs right off the bat. Put 1000 miles on it before changing the 35 year old at a minimum belts and hoses. Now, 11 years later, I still haven't changed anything else out and it runs like a dream with 40,000 miles on the ol' 283.

I did soak the top end with diesel- down each cylinder and down the intake, then cranked it over with the plugs out to shoot out the excess.

[Frank Lee]

...at a car show last summer...


...at the drive-in...

The engine was free- I turned it over by hand first. But I thought top end lube would do only good as those piston rings had to be dry as a bone after all that time, so I pulled all the plugs and used a big syringe sans needle to shoot diesel into the cylinders with no mess, and dumped a bit more down the intake, then let it sit for three days before flushing that out and firing it up. I doubt there was any sort of build-up or dirt or anything- just dry.

I'd keep that Pinto as-is; that 2.3 engine is probably the best part of the car, they are very good engines. It's getting old enough now to get some interest as a nice original survivor. If I had big dreams for a diesel Pinto or V8 or whatever I'd start with one that needs work anyway.

[user removed]

Didn't the 2.3 have a timing belt? If so I would replace it before giving it much of a chance to break.

regards
Mech

[Frank Lee]

I read that the 2.3 is a non-interference engine, it is an OHC with a belt, so if it breaks it would at the most cause some roadside inconvenience. Look at it, grab it, twist it, then decide if you need to take pre-emptive action or not.

[vacationtime247]

Nice looking ride. Dig the fins on the back and the sloping rear window! It's a 4 door too so everyone can get in and out easy.
Guess I'll swap out tires and run it then. Only other mod I'd like to do is an electric fan conversion if keeping it mostly original. Stock metal flex fan is basically worthless. Wire in a relay controlled by a thermo switch with a delay and manual over ride.
Need to keep my eye out for RWD turbo diesel engines that can provide good mpg. But am unfamiliar with what I should be looking for.
Other option is to replace the rotary in the '83 RX7 It still runs, but am only an apex seal away from a swap.
VT247

[Frank Lee]

I have a Mazda 2.0 diesel from an Escort but I think I'm gonna plop it into a Tempo.

Wish it was here, I'd take a pic of the trunk for ya. I could almost sell my house and move into there!

[vacationtime247]

Thanks for the heads up on the timing belt check. Had to replace the one on my '91 Escort. It left my wife on the side of the interstate in Indianapolis and was towed home. She wasn't happy. Luckily nothing was damaged and it only took a few hours and a beer to fix.
VT247

[Jim-Bob]

I would leave the car stock and just fix what's wrong. The mileage is just too low to mess with such a nice survivor as the diesel conversion will require a lot of changes to make it work well. Plus, it's worth more than you think. I'd put it's value at around $5,000 since there are people out there who dig the oddball stuff. Just look at the "Councours d LeMons" for some examples.

If you are dead set on it though, consider the drivetrain out of a Volvo 240D. It's not very quick, but they are known to be reliable and the Volvo is already rear wheel drive. As for the Mazda diesel out of the Escort and Tempo I think I would pass. That engine in a lighter Escort was known to provide terrifyingly slow acceleration and I can't imagine it would be better in the bigger, heavier Pinto. Plus, the Pinto 2.3 and the Tempo 2.3 are NOT the same engine. The Tempo's engine was a different design specifically for the Tempo. (I think it may also have been used in base model Taurii too, but don't quote me on it.)

[Frank Lee]

I'm fully aware that the Lima 2.3 OHC AND the HSC OHV 2.3 as found in Tempos are NOT THE SAME. I'm also fully aware that the Lima bolts right on to the Tempo transaxle, so it stands to reason that because the 2.0 Mazda diesel bolts on to Tempo transaxles and 2.3 OHCs and OHVs also both bolt on to the same transaxle, then the 2.0 damn well better bolt on to the Pinto transmission. Bolting on is but one hurdle of course; who knows if all the clutch stuff works as is, or needs to be modified, or if different combos of factory parts would work. But not having to make an adapter is one nice hurdle out of the way.

Now, the net says a '78 Pinto weighs 2300-2400lbs. and U.S. Escorts are that or a bit under. It will get you down the road but at 52 HP NA, accel is slow but cruising is just fine. I have quite a bit of seat time in a 48hp VW diesel.

[vacationtime247]

This Pinto is just the base model, no options. It's the Pony version so I'm guessing it's at the lower weight of @2300. Slow acceleration doesn't bother me. Drivin a VW Rabbit with the non turbo diesel. Was the boxy older version. Could of pushed it to 15 mph faster than it accelerated! Was a fun 5 speed though. Was by friends car. Asked him if the gas gauge worked. It never moved! Said he had to fill it up to check himself.
A simple engine swap would certainly gain my vote over a conversion. Mounts might be the issue. Believe the 4 speed is a cable type system.
VT247