The Ford Barn

kenparker · 08-23-2010, 03:06 PM

I am off on a new wild hair. The adapting a 2.3 liter engine (Ford Ranger Pickup) engine into a Model A. I have read and heard that the 2.0 Pinto engine is an easy adapt and the 2.3 is not a good choice due to fit or some other problem. Can someone shed some light on the goood and bads of putting a 2.3 liter engine in a Model A? i have two of the 2.3 liter engines and want something to do with them.

David Conwill · 08-23-2010, 03:42 PM

They go in Pintos, don't they?

I think this would be a good question for the HAMB.

-Dave

marc hildebrant · 08-23-2010, 03:46 PM

Ken,

Does the car have a Model A engine now ? If so, why change it ?

Marc

Art Bjornestad · 08-23-2010, 04:02 PM

A bad choice! Some research will point out the the gearing on a Model A will allow the engine to spin at about 2300 or so at 50 mph. A Pinto engine is not developing much horsepower at that speed and little torque. They make a neat little around town car a pain to drive IMHO. I have owned one and that was my take.

Spend what it takes to make the A or B engine run correctly and these cars are a joy.

Bassman/NZ · 08-23-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenparker

I am off on a new wild hair. The adapting a 2.3 liter engine (Ford Ranger Pickup) engine into a Model A. I have read and heard that the 2.0 Pinto engine is an easy adapt and the 2.3 is not a good choice due to fit or some other problem. Can someone shed some light on the goood and bads of putting a 2.3 liter engine in a Model A? i have two of the 2.3 liter engines and want something to do with them.

You're kidding.... right?

J Franklin · 08-23-2010, 04:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The good would be you would spend some money and help the economy some. The bad would be the car really wouldn't be a Model A Ford any longer.

Ron in Quincy · 08-23-2010, 05:12 PM

Why put this kind of garbage on this forum; most of us like to keep our A's with a 4 cylinder A or B engine.

Sorry thats how I feel !!!!!

Ron

Ron Barber · 08-24-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

Why put this kind of garbage on this forum; most of us like to keep our A's with a 4 cylinder A or B engine.

Sorry thats how I feel !!!!!

Ron

Take your question to a forum that doesn't restore Model A's

raprice · 08-23-2010, 05:25 PM

Ron, I couldn't agree more. What's wrong with a Model A engine? If some wants to have more power, then go to another car that would satisfy him. Just my 2 cents.
Rog

denis4x4 · 08-23-2010, 05:27 PM

OK.....I'm just finishing up a build on a 1.8 sohc Courier engine. Domed .040 pistons, Offy Dual Port manifold, Weber carb, Crower cam, balanced crank, lightened flywheel and a 4 speed ZF transmission. It's going in a '29 huckster with a 3:78 gears and an open driveshaft. Did my homework and with the gearing and a cam set for max torque at 3000 to 4000 RPM, these should be a great runnerToo bad these guys are bad mouthing those of us with creative juices! The stock A rear end, drive shaft with a BorgWarnert O'drive is being passed on FREE to a guy with a 31 ccpu. It will join my fleet of award winning model A powered hot rods with period correct speed equipment.

Mike V. Florida · 08-24-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Too bad these guys are bad mouthing those of us with creative juices!

I think it's more a matter of the fact that there are MANY places to go on the web for Hot Rods and severe mods for a car. The same cannot be said for stock or near stock Model A's.

The "bad mouthing" of those with "creative juices" comes from the wanting to protect one of the very few places where stock questions can be asked and answered.

The best answers for questions is to go where there are the most people of the same mind set. I can ask guys about cars as the escort their wifes to a quilting show, but I'm more likley to get better answers at a car show!!

Bassman/NZ · 08-24-2010, 03:07 AM

I see it from this perspective. This forum, and the early V8 forum, are about making our As and V8s better. Installing a Pinto in a Model A is not making it better, it's a retrograde step. The Pinto might have more hp, but it doesn't have enough low end torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding.
Someone in this part of the world briefly made full fendered glass A roadsters with Pinto running gear (or our local equivalent) and they were awful.

Mike Mc · 08-24-2010, 03:49 AM

Gidday Bassman. Who made those? I'm assuming that if we're talking Pinto down here it would have been the 2.0 litre Cortina motor.

One of the neighbours in my sub division had a fibreglass, Roadster rod, but its an 8 cyl. Looks good for what it is, but I'm glad he hadn't done it to an original Roadster

Cheers
Mike.

Bassman/NZ · 08-24-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Mc

Gidday Bassman. Who made those? I'm assuming that if we're talking Pinto down here it would have been the 2.0 litre Cortina motor.

One of the neighbours in my sub division had a fibreglass, Roadster rod, but its an 8 cyl. Looks good for what it is, but I'm glad he hadn't done it to an original Roadster

Cheers
Mike.

Mike.... I dont know who made them, but there was one for sale here a few months back. Your assumption would be correct.

1931 flamingo · 08-23-2010, 06:00 PM

Ken, are you not the fellow who built (still building) the slant window with the pinto engine, or do I have U mixed up with someone else?
Paul in CT

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 08-23-2010, 06:07 PM

Denis, I don't think that folks here are necessarily bad mouthing y'all with creative juices but asking it on this type of forum is kinda like publicly asking for advice on starting a 'House of Ill Repute' to attendees at the Republican National Party fund raiser!

.

denis4x4 · 10-11-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Denis, I don't think that folks here are necessarily bad mouthing y'all with creative juices but asking it on this type of forum is kinda like publicly asking for advice on starting a 'House of Ill Repute' to attendees at the Republican National Party fund raiser!

.

Brent, I think the Secret Service already did that on a presidential trip to Columbia.

LeroyM · 08-23-2010, 06:20 PM

There was a guy named Dick Sparks who had a 2.3 motor in one of his cars. I tried doing the same thing in my coupe and ran into a few problems. One is if you plan to make it fit in like the Model A motor does you need to grind the oil filter boss off the block to make the Model A starter clear, also the Model A starter needs to have some grinding on it to make it fit also. Once you grind this oil filter boss off you run into the problem of hitting the water jacket in the 2.3 motor which then would need to be fixed if you get to close like I did.

Another thing you will also need to have an adapter made to make it bolt up to the Model A flywheel housing, you will also need to have a round spacer made to extend the 2.3 crank to allow you to run the Model A or 39 transmission. It can be done but the 2.3 I think only puts out 90hp stock and you can come close to that with a good Model B with some bolt on goodies.

I think I still have some info on the 2.3 I can find if you want more info.

700rpm · 08-23-2010, 06:30 PM

There are many new street rod frames and repro bodies out there. Put your 2.3's in something like that and leave the stock Model A's stock.

sonny30coupe · 08-23-2010, 06:34 PM

a 2.3 does not belong in a model a.........duh

08-23-2010, 03:06 PM	#1
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines I am off on a new wild hair. The adapting a 2.3 liter engine (Ford Ranger Pickup) engine into a Model A. I have read and heard that the 2.0 Pinto engine is an easy adapt and the 2.3 is not a good choice due to fit or some other problem. Can someone shed some light on the goood and bads of putting a 2.3 liter engine in a Model A? i have two of the 2.3 liter engines and want something to do with them.

08-23-2010, 03:42 PM	#2
David Conwill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bennington, Vermont 05201 Posts: 118	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines They go in Pintos, don't they? I think this would be a good question for the HAMB. -Dave __________________ ~~1961 Falcon Futura~~ ~~1962 Falcon Deluxe~~ Model T parts collector; gowjob aspirant.

08-23-2010, 03:46 PM	#3
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Ken, Does the car have a Model A engine now ? If so, why change it ? Marc

08-23-2010, 04:02 PM	#4
Art Bjornestad Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Westlake Village, CA Posts: 477	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines A bad choice! Some research will point out the the gearing on a Model A will allow the engine to spin at about 2300 or so at 50 mph. A Pinto engine is not developing much horsepower at that speed and little torque. They make a neat little around town car a pain to drive IMHO. I have owned one and that was my take. Spend what it takes to make the A or B engine run correctly and these cars are a joy.

08-23-2010, 04:54 PM	#6
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,961	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The good would be you would spend some money and help the economy some. The bad would be the car really wouldn't be a Model A Ford any longer.

08-23-2010, 05:12 PM	#7
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Why put this kind of garbage on this forum; most of us like to keep our A's with a 4 cylinder A or B engine. Sorry thats how I feel !!!!! Ron

08-23-2010, 05:25 PM	#9
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Ron, I couldn't agree more. What's wrong with a Model A engine? If some wants to have more power, then go to another car that would satisfy him. Just my 2 cents. Rog

08-23-2010, 05:27 PM	#10
denis4x4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Durango CO Posts: 1,309	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines OK.....I'm just finishing up a build on a 1.8 sohc Courier engine. Domed .040 pistons, Offy Dual Port manifold, Weber carb, Crower cam, balanced crank, lightened flywheel and a 4 speed ZF transmission. It's going in a '29 huckster with a 3:78 gears and an open driveshaft. Did my homework and with the gearing and a cam set for max torque at 3000 to 4000 RPM, these should be a great runnerToo bad these guys are bad mouthing those of us with creative juices! The stock A rear end, drive shaft with a BorgWarnert O'drive is being passed on FREE to a guy with a 31 ccpu. It will join my fleet of award winning model A powered hot rods with period correct speed equipment.

08-24-2010, 03:07 AM	#12
Bassman/NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier, New Zealand Posts: 2,001	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines I see it from this perspective. This forum, and the early V8 forum, are about making our As and V8s better. Installing a Pinto in a Model A is not making it better, it's a retrograde step. The Pinto might have more hp, but it doesn't have enough low end torque to pull the skin off a rice pudding. Someone in this part of the world briefly made full fendered glass A roadsters with Pinto running gear (or our local equivalent) and they were awful.

08-24-2010, 03:49 AM	#13
Mike Mc Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 55	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Gidday Bassman. Who made those? I'm assuming that if we're talking Pinto down here it would have been the 2.0 litre Cortina motor. One of the neighbours in my sub division had a fibreglass, Roadster rod, but its an 8 cyl. Looks good for what it is, but I'm glad he hadn't done it to an original Roadster Cheers Mike.

08-23-2010, 06:00 PM	#15
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Ken, are you not the fellow who built (still building) the slant window with the pinto engine, or do I have U mixed up with someone else? Paul in CT

08-23-2010, 06:07 PM	#16
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,507	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines Denis, I don't think that folks here are necessarily bad mouthing y'all with creative juices but asking it on this type of forum is kinda like publicly asking for advice on starting a 'House of Ill Repute' to attendees at the Republican National Party fund raiser! . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

08-23-2010, 06:20 PM	#18
LeroyM Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 276	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines There was a guy named Dick Sparks who had a 2.3 motor in one of his cars. I tried doing the same thing in my coupe and ran into a few problems. One is if you plan to make it fit in like the Model A motor does you need to grind the oil filter boss off the block to make the Model A starter clear, also the Model A starter needs to have some grinding on it to make it fit also. Once you grind this oil filter boss off you run into the problem of hitting the water jacket in the 2.3 motor which then would need to be fixed if you get to close like I did. Another thing you will also need to have an adapter made to make it bolt up to the Model A flywheel housing, you will also need to have a round spacer made to extend the 2.3 crank to allow you to run the Model A or 39 transmission. It can be done but the 2.3 I think only puts out 90hp stock and you can come close to that with a good Model B with some bolt on goodies. I think I still have some info on the 2.3 I can find if you want more info.

08-23-2010, 06:30 PM	#19
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,903	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines There are many new street rod frames and repro bodies out there. Put your 2.3's in something like that and leave the stock Model A's stock.

08-23-2010, 06:34 PM	#20
sonny30coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 255	Re: Model A Fords and Ford 2.0 and 2.3 engines a 2.3 does not belong in a model a.........duh