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PostPosted: December 13, 2022, 12:37 pm 
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Joined: January 7, 2022, 9:53 am
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Location: Buda, Tx
Has anyone seen a list of engine heights from the crankshaft centerline to the bottom of the oil pan and to the top of the necessary bits?

I'm exploring more modern engine options that'll fit an existing T5 and is equal or less than 17" above and 6.5" below the CL.

Thanks


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PostPosted: December 13, 2022, 1:22 pm 
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That will bolt up to a long input ford lima T5 with an available bell housing? That'd be a very short list. Maybe a zetec or rotary?

A gm T5 with a v6-60 is just an inch or so higher than that at the top of the distributor cap. Some fwd versions are probably a little closer to 17 inches.

Having some drive-ability issues with the racing lima or not satisfied with the performance and mpg?

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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PostPosted: December 13, 2022, 9:16 pm 
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No, just kinda daydreaming about a dead-reliable, 200-ish hp motor that would fit without moving too much metal. I spent too much of the year dealing with less interesting issues, like a whole house re-pipe and a new AC, and a bunch of other stuff I didn't fully expect.

I haven't even started the motor yet. I found a local shop who maintain and service road racers near COTA, they agreed to take it in for a proper looking over and motor assessment. I think they want to drive it :cheers:

My intention was to swap the timing belt before taking it to them, pretty simple task usually. Not unsurprisingly, I discovered the timing belt on the motor is no longer produced, it's an early trap. tooth, wide belt system. The car even came with a spare NOS Ford Racing belt, with what looks like a 1992 date code. No bueno, maybe but no thanks.

So yesterday I ordered the updated timing kit from Esslinger, seals and a few other items, supposed to be a direct swap...fingers crossed. Luckily the car came with 4 of the 5 special Ford tools needed to R&R seals and pulleys, just lacking the cam gear holder/puller, but that seems easy to improvise.

I'm working my way up (psychologically) to pulling the motor and carefully taking it apart to see what's what. According to the notes its a long-rod stroker, ~2.6L with ~12.5:1 compression. I spoke to Esslinger and they still do machine shop services, the car came with just about everything to rebuild the motor and my almost-retired brother has had his own cylinder head shop for over 30 years. This motor seems like an 11 on a 1-10 scale, I'm thinking it might be more 'civil' around an 8.


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PostPosted: December 14, 2022, 9:02 am 
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It sounds like you want a stock duratec 2.3l with a burton power bellhousing to work with the T5. Very close to 17 inches and carbs can be fitted if you want.

I'd just pull the race motor for a used, stock 90's ranger lima and a 2 barrel adapter or the efi. Much cheaper than converting what you have to be practical and long-term reliable. I expect the valve spring pressure is probably excessive. The exhaust can be extended to the rear for less noise with some loss of ground clearance around the rear wheel. Consider these cars were winning races with only a 1.6l kent.

A new hood and cowl with the nose raised two inches would be practical for fitting something with a little more torque/hp compared to the lima under 3k rpm. What is the axle ratio?

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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PostPosted: December 14, 2022, 12:06 pm 
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Joined: January 7, 2022, 9:53 am
Posts: 59
Location: Buda, Tx
The Duratec is kind of where I'm leaning, "dime a dozen" and lots of aftermarket support but haven't found the CL-up height listed yet. I think I'll take a trip to a salvage yard with my tape measure.

Sitting here thinking of a reply helped me realize the old 2.3 is definitely the way to get it on the road and go from there. Like you said last year probably :o)

Then I could explore the hipo engine to see if its a viable option or sell it.

I think the rear axle is 3.9:1, might be 4.1, I think the T5 is from a V8 with the input shaft/and pilot bushing modified a bit and yeah the valve springs are rated at 405# open...

I appreciate the feedback!


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PostPosted: December 14, 2022, 2:06 pm 
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FWIW, the jeep amc straight sixes are about 17 inches crank cl to the top of the valve cover and about 31 inches from bell to crank pulley face. Both the ax5/15 and T5 have been used and could meet your goal for a reliable 200ish hp and a flat torque curve. No doubt heavier, a lower rev limit and an effortless tire smoker due to traction limits but very clean, simple, and cheap.

A 258 overhaul. Consider it is just bolt-ons and left at 8:1 comp which defies logic imho:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KAxA4cUW1s

A 4.0l build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm1xzrapgGs

Found an esslinger build up of the lima:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv6h9auhMPQ

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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PostPosted: December 14, 2022, 9:11 pm 
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Joined: January 7, 2022, 9:53 am
Posts: 59
Location: Buda, Tx
Dang you sent me down another rabbit hole! :) That Esslinger video was inspiring, and quite informative... Thanks for the links! I've got maybe 28" between the bellhousing face and the frame in front.


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