4 banger opinions

[HotRod31]

I'm in the plannin stages of a 27 modified roadster, & am lookin for opinions on Fords 4(Pinto, Ranger) VS Chevys 4 (S-10 ?) Not interested in a Ford Vs Chevy Debate, just some pros & cons. Dependability and performance are major concerns. Carburated engines no EFI.

Thanks, Mark

[daddylama]

honestly, i dont know much about the chevy motor...
but ive had a couple 2.3 liter fords... cheap, bulletproof, lots of hop up stuff available... cams, intakes, headers... even billet cranks, if you should really want one.

[onelow48]

I use to have a 4cyl chevy motor in a s-10. 2.5l Not much
power must use manual trans. At the time I had to v8 that thing Mustangs every were to bust. The one thing about that engine was I put 325000 miles on it. It still ran when I pulled it. If you go chevy go after 88 do not get a stock carbed one they suck, the later motors are tiffer.
It did pretty good on gas. Back in the day when I was lokking around I met a guy who did 2 webers on one it rocked.

[RileyRacing]

Same with the 2.5 Chevy. All the same attributes. I know, because I drove a buick century with one for 2 years. NO maintainance whatsoever. Nothing. And ran like a top.

Jason

[Ayers Garage]

I worked as a mechanic for the post office. Those little square mail trucks have 2.5 Chevy engines in them.

They are a great engine. Very tough. But, I'd go Ford 2.3. They run much stronger. Many, many hop ups for them. Ford 2.3 is used extensively in the little dirt track cars. Tons of mods for cheap.

Hillbilly

[delaware george]

i'm taking the pinto motor out of my 29 rpu right now and putting in a flathead...cause i want it to be more traditional,but i've driven with the pinto for the last 13 years with not a single problem(i'll probably miss it once it's swapped)...too bad you don't live closer,i'd give you this one http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[porknbeaner]

I really like the pinto 4 (sohc). Good running motor, and easy to build. If you get the later Ranger 4 banger you can by a roots type blower for it, in kit form. On a little lakster it would stick out the passenger side http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

There is another option, the Thunder bird turbo coupe was also a banger, and in a 35 hundred pound car it just flew. You would have to deal with the computer though, you aren't afraid of computers are you? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The 4 tec from an S-10/S-15 is also a pretty tuff mill. Not a lot of low end grunt, but easy to find hop up pieces for. Its a pushrod motor verses a cammer. Gear drive from the factory, cross flow head. The 88 and newer came with the Tri-Y header stock.

if your going for traditional, the Chebby motor would look more traditional.

if it don't make ya dirty it aint yours. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[HotRod31]

Thanks for the replys. I was leaning towards the Ford. I had a Pinto when I was a kid & drove the shit out of it broke a timing belt once, but thats about it.

Later, Mark

[Unkl Ian]

Either one will get the job done.Personally,I find the Pinto motors to be VERY ugly.But that's just me.

[Deuce Rails]

Is a REAL 4 banger out of the question?

How about a nice Model A or Model B powerplant?

[HotRod31]

Deuce Rails, I like something a little more modern (read affordable, dependable,& readily avalible). Unkl Ian I agree the Pinto mills ain't the purrtiest of the lot, I'll have to keep the hood shut.

Later, Mark

[Creeper Larry]

I feel your pain, I'm in the same state of 4 banger dilema.I think I am leanin for the Chevy.Larry

[Super88]

Here's a couple of pics taken at the Beloit Autorama in Sept. Owner of this little track T listed the motor as a 140 hp Mercruiser. If I was told correctly, it's the same basic motor as the chevy 4 cyl that Chevy II were available with.

[Rocky]

Where I work, we bought a new '87 S-10 with the 2.5. We already had aeveral Rangers with the 2.3. At 30,000 miles, the chevy motor began giving valve lifter/rocker arm noises. The dealer said "they all do that"...to live with it.
Meanwhile, the 2.3 fords would carbon up and start to knock and I'd have to use
"top end cleaner" to bust the carbon. This all went on for a couple years. They wouldnt' let me tear the engines down for repair....."too expensive and time consuming...we need those pickups every day."
Once, I came back to work from a 3 week vacation out to see my family at the coast and found one of the Fords with a wrecked #1 rod bearing. The idiots heard the engine begin knocking and just kept driving it 'till it broke.
The knocking, ticking chevy 2.5 just kept knocking along every day until it was involved in a T-bone collision. Always ran fine and didn't use any oil to speak of. The 2.3 fords always had spark knock problems until I treated them with the top-end-cleaner. The fix would last about 2 months and I'd have to treat them again. Both the chevy and the fords were fuel injected and I gotta say, the fords ran a helluva lot stronger but the chevy ran longer....
Mt fiero had the 2.5 in it too. Had the same noisy valvetrain until the head split right down the middle...
I wanna use the 2.5 litre 4 banger outa my 944 Porsche for a lakes modified project...147 hp, all aluminum engine with dohc head....and an aluminum 5 speed transaxle in the back with enough fins to make cal custom happy..

[Super88]

Another

[Super88]

And another.

[Super88]

Last one.

[delaware george]

just wondering why you want a 4 banger instad of a 6 or 8....some hot rods have fenders

[pikesan99]

HotRod31,
I'm running a 2300 "Pinto" motor in my 27. I'm rebuilding it right now. I'll have a ported head, solid lifter cam, header and all that good stuff. It should move out pretty good since it weighs next to nothing. Stock parts easy to come buy. A junk yard guy near me said $100 for any motor he had. I think that included all of the accessories. Race parts are also pretty easy to find, but a little pricey. Ministock guys build the demand so the hot rod guys don't have to. Trouble is, most of that stuff is made for super high rpm.

Been a Ford guy all my life since my dad was a Ford mechanic for 30 years. So, I can't tell you anything about the chevy engines. Funny thing now is that I work for Nissan in Powertrain Performance evaluation!

Here's the pic of my car I've posted before, and I'll also put up the picture of the intake I designed with the 2 weber 44's. The intake's ready to weld now, so it shouldn't be long. Goodguys, Scottsdale is Nov. 15-16, so I've got to hurry!

[pikesan99]

Here's what the intake and carb setup should look like:
Good luck on your choice!

[cornfieldrodder]

The Quad4 was my choice. 180 HP, looks good with the IDI cover removed and is very modifiable. The parts cost is high, but it is for anything you want to go over 7500 rpm and look "racy". http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[HotRod31]

Thanks for the cool pics.
delaware george I have a 400+ hp sbc in my 31, I'm just lookin for somthing different (for me)in the 27. Also I have heard of some them rare fenderd Hot Rods http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Nice 29
cornfieldrodder is the Quad 4 EFI or carb.?

Later, Mark

[cornfieldrodder]

Quads are all multipoint injection. The stock manifold flows really well but looks its carved from play-do. Quad4 Rods makes a Hilborn looking manifold with four throttle bodies, but it is $750!!! Since the engine is set up with a speed/density system, its east to do the changes, but management systems are hard or EXPENSIVE to come by. I've talked to a guy in Ok. who may have a lead on new chips. He races them in ethenol midgets! I guess short drunk folks will do anything. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Doing carbs is pretty easy, though. Use a crank triggered distributorless ignition from the aftermarket, build a manifold and run your favorite carbs. Webers are the obvious choice, but a set of Winfields would rock!
My car will start life with a stock EFI, but it will get modified to four port with more cam, (cams?) O ringed head, and forged slugs with stock compression. 10:1!

[delaware george]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gifwasn't busting your balls,just wondering...mine has treated me well for a number of years...wish that 29 was mine http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[DrJ]

Don't overlook a TR-3 TR-4 four banger. they come with dual side drafts and an already chrome valve cover and a four speed with the shift in the right place for a channeled car because that's what they were in!

MGB would be a good choice too, it's a "tractor engine" so it's fairly bullet proof.

Sunbeam Alpine (Not the Ford V8 Tiger but same body) ran several 4 banger engines, the '65 on being the strongest I think, and it looks good with cast aluminum valve and side covers.

[Phil1934]

This system seems to be the best stand alone engine management for the money, http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

[UKAde]

here are a couple of options i am using in the uk
the engine is a ford 100e /e93a sidevalve i think you call it an anglia over your side of the atlantic

i have the 40dcoe weber or the shurrock supercharger with a 1.5 inch su carb not fitted yet

UKAde

[UKAde]

here is the supercharged bit

[dixiedog]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a couple of pics taken at the Beloit Autorama in Sept. Owner of this little track T listed the motor as a 140 hp Mercruiser. If I was told correctly, it's the same basic motor as the chevy 4 cyl that Chevy II were available with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mercruiser also used the 3.7 L 4cyl. uses a Ford 460 head and has 190hp. nice and realible at 3500 rpm.

A question about the boat motors - do they counter rotate? I would hate to take it on its maiden voyage and have run into the back wall of the garage http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[junk runner jr]

I am doing a 2.3 ford in my 27 roadster. Mine is fuel injected and turbo charged though. The ford motor is very tall and my cause hood clearance problems for you unless you build it like a high boy. I built my frame out of 32 rails, and the body sits on top and mine is still very tight. There are a lot of neet spead parts for these little engines. Some of the companies selling parts are Esslinger, Racer Walsh, even Speedway is getting in on the action. Racer Walsh sells a side draft carb kit that looks great but its a little pricy. The strongest blocks are the ones in the turbo cars Merkur XR4ti, Thunderbird Turbo coupe, Cougar XR7, Mustang SVO. They all had the high nickel block and the forged crank.

[Rocknrod]

Anyone thought about a deisel 4 banger? Not a rever... but good on fuel!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[RileyRacing]

Hey Cornfieldrodder, gotta love the way them Quads scream... I had one in a Quad 442 with a 5 speed. That thing came alive after about 30mph... wish I woulda kept the drivetrain when the body rotted out from under it. Used to beat some stock 5-oh mustangs too http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jason

[Creeper Larry]

How about a Cosworth Vega 4 cyl? at least the name sounds cool. Dual overhead bumpsticks, an antique Quad4?

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
How about a Cosworth Vega 4 cyl? at least the name sounds cool. Dual overhead bumpsticks, an antique Quad4?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably rarer than an Offy.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[dixiedog]

How about an old Willy's or Continental 4cyl from a welder or an old jeep? Modify the bell housing. Not a lot of HP but plenty of torque.

[zibo]

there is a guy around here,
with a '25 +- roadster-steel,
and a chevy 4 banger,
one big side pipe uncorked,
and a cool miller (i think) wannabe head.

it fooled me,
until the oil filter anyway,

but when he left,
the sound was totally appreciated,
by everyone around.

travis aka zibo

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just tripped over a 2.5L four from a '79 Monza. It's the Pontiac Iron Duke. The car had 6000 miles on it when it burned up...the car went in a ditch and the catalytic converter set the grass on fire. It's complete and includes the HEI ignition, the stick bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing and arm, etc. I wonder if an overdrive 5-speed will connect up to it. Might be sweet in my lakes roadster. Guy wants $400 for it.

Oh, yeah....no fire damage on the engine. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Roothawg]

As ugly as the 2300cc Fords are....they are a great hotrod motor.
They make TONS of speed equipment for it. The reason you ask? They race em in the mini-modifieds. They can bore them out and use Chevy SBC pistons. I am gonna run one in a track T someday....just don't know when, but it will have a hood on it.

[Rocky]

SJ Fast........a T-5 will bolt up to the iron duke bellhousing. Prolly have to ream out the tranny mount holes to accept 1/2 inch mount bolts....The earlier T-5's had a speedo cable drive, later ones used a sensor not compatible with a cable driven speedo.

[cornfieldrodder]

Cosworth Vega mills aren't all that rare. It seems when the cars rotted away, folks realized the valuable part was the engine.they show up sometimes in the local paper and swaps. even though the 2300 Ford is one of my all time favorite engines, I found it to be too tall for any projects I've had. A tubo coupe unit would be cool in a Pinto, though. Man, I miss Pintos. No kidding.
A D50 turbo diesle drive train in a T roadster getting 60 mpg would be cool. Well, maybe if someone else had it.

[DrJ]

I was making that assumption from the fact that I only ever saw two of the beasts when they were "current" I figured,a nd probably correctly that there are numerically more used offy race engines sitting under work benches than Cosworth Vegas, available for sale or not.

I'd look for an Iron duke myself....They even put them in Jeeps!

[scotth]

If you're not going traditional on it, there are some great modern 4s out there with a huge aftermarket (thx to the ricers.) The mitsu 4g63s are cheap, and easily make 400+ hp with a turbo I/C upgrade. As for not-so-cheap, there's the honda f20C, 240 hp out of a naturally aspirated 2.0!! (The S2000 motor) That would be scary fast in a lightweight T.

If you're gonna piss of the traditionalists by puttin a late-model injected 4 in there, you might as well really piss em off and make it an imported one! hahaha!

[DrJ]

I like the one in one of the guys rack Ts that goes on Rogue's Ranch Run. it's a TOYOTA twin cam with the "O" and "A" milled off so it says TOY T on the engine. Sounds tits with the sepatate 1" stainless open pipes too.

[cornfieldrodder]

Those Toyota twin cam 1.6 engines are great. They came in rear drive Corolla GTS, MR2s and a couple of other models that are more forgetable. There may be other rear drive transmissions to fit the mid and front drive engines.
There may very well be more Offys than Cosworths, but I've never been able to pry one away from an owner yet. Not one of them has been used in anything either, of course.