My Engine - your thoughts / opinions invited

What are you wanting to do with the car as this will ultimately determine what needs to be done to the engine?  I.e. Daily driver, the odd track day, race or rally.
 
Also what carbs are you planning on using?
 
From the sounds of it you will benefit greatly if you get your head ported as this is where all the power is.  Don't get it polished as there is little power to be gained by doing so I am told.
 
Cheers,
 
Matt
 
 

Ok,
 
You have a bit of a miss match for parts.
 
If you intend on running twin 40's or a 38/38 the cam that you have will be fine, you wouldn't want any bigger on standard rods and std type cast pistons.  In relation the the carbs i would run the 40's, but they will as you pointed out be more time consuming and more expensive to tune.  Depends on how you want it to sound and drive, and how dedicated you are to tuning the 40's right.
 
The cylinder head however with those size valves is too big, especially give the fact that it isn't ported.  Those valves would suited a highly modded engine with a port to suit.  A smaller valve version with good headwork would suit the application better in my opinion.
 
You will need to deck the block, it's pretty important this is done.  Either 0 or slightly positive deck height.
 
If you couple the cam you have with a pair of 40's, the right head work and extractors it will make up to 150ish hp
without any hassle at all.
 
Cheers
Woz
 
 
 
 
 
 

I must be getting old as I'm actually thinking of toning down my engine.  I want those few times I get to drive the car to be pleasant by not attracting the wrong kind of attention from the noise and rough idle, and to improve reliability and reduce maintenance.  Sure, putting in a milder camshaft etc. will cost power, but I don't think I'll really care, as I can't blast down suburban streets at warp speed anyway.  I've thought about going to a Zetec or Duratec to get bundles of smooth power, but I somehow doubt that the extra expense and complication will lead to many times more enjoyment than I get from the Pinto.  That said, I really admire those who do build screaming motors, as I can live a little vicariously when I read about them or see them on show.  Do what you love; life's too short not to.

davus

Thanks very much for the replies guys. All good info.

Wozzah - Reading your post leads me to think that if i kept all the components that i currently have, and get the head ported and polished, along with a block deck - then they may work well together?

You also mentioned that those valves would only suit a highly modded engine.....do you mean something with a bigger cam?. What additional mods would you see as being a better suit to the valves? (not nessecarily for me to do - just to help my understanding).

Probably a more pertinent question should be.assuming i want to keep the block, with the oversized pistons etc, and use the 38/38 carby (for simplicity)......what would you recommend for head/valve work?.

Dave

 
I think your valves are way too big for the given application, i'd start with a standard head and use smaller inlet valves (eg: stardard or 44.5ish mm if you must).  To utilise the valve sizes you have would mean very good head/port work, a much bigger cam and 45's or 48 carbs.  To do this would mean a forged bottom end, and thats when much more serious money becomes involved.  To do it properly with carbs and everything you'd spend $9-10k by the time you actually have it running and right.  It wouldn't be very pleasant on the road.
 
If you want to use the block you have I'd find a standard head to begin with and come up with a good head package (ported with either std or 1st oversize valves), use the cam you have as long as it's in good condition.  Use the bottom end you have decked to suit (once again, providing it is in good condition).  Use the 38/38, and decent extractors.  The most important thing to do to make the best power is to make sure everything works as a package, and make sure whoever is doing the work and assembly knows what they are doing. 
 
An engine like that done right will make 140ish+ hp any day of the week.
 
Cheers
Woz