FORD PINTO ENGINE REBUILD

When the fastback-shaped Ford Pinto was launched in the USA in 1971 powered by a cast iron single-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine with flat top pistons and a five main bearing crank underneath its bonnet, little did anyone expect that this engine would become more popular than the car, or that it would adopt its name. It wasn’t until 1973 that the UK had the opportunity to appreciate this engine in the MkIII Cortina 1600GT. With a displacement of 1592cc, it produced 88bhp at 5700rpm, whereas the larger and now more readily available 1993cc version had an extra 10bhp at 5500rpm.

With many engines having been rebuilt or modified over the years and few remaining in original condition, it’s often difficult to identify them, although markings such as 2.0 or 1.6 on the side of the engine block (and even on one of the webs of the crankshaft) should help. There may also be a 0 or 6 mark on the cylinder head to identify a 2.0 or 1.6 unit.