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Read-only historical archive.
Browse the preserved forum and gallery. Registration, login, uploads and account changes are no longer available.
October 17, 2026, 04:34:28 AM

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[brentm]

Been wondering if its possible to do up my 1300 engine and get more power out of it ,I mainly want to use it around town but the motor is currently pretty gutless .I only have basic mechanical skills so to pay someone else to replace engine etc is way to expensive

[Bucster]

Hi, the 1300 engine was never very powerful compared to the 2000 ohc pinto motor. You need to spend lots of money for the extra performance gain compared to slotting in the 2litre. Eg, weber carb, extractors, electronic ignition, changing compression and cams not viable for this motor.
Its not a hard conversion between the 2 x 4 cyls, as all parts are available and nothing needs fabricating. You might be lucky to pick up a worked 2 litre for the price of the 1300 parts you require.
Do some research, ask some questions, i'd suggest rolling up your sleeves and giving it a go.
Bucster

[BigNorm]

2.0 is the a great option however the 1600 will bolt straight in without mods

[brentm]

I have been keeping an eye out for a 1600 ,so would it fit stait onto existing 4 spd gearbox ?, what about the diff its standard I guess,  so  I would have to change the ratio wouldnt I,  as it must be quite high ratio now ,engine is quite revy this would be even more revy with a 1600 ?.Is it normally fairly easy to find a replacement diff head with lower ratio to go into my diff. If I could pick up a sec hand 1600 itd be on the cards id have to have it recond,new rings bearings etc,what would you expext a reconditioner to charge for that kind of job.

[BigNorm]

the only external difference between a 1300 and 1600 is the 1600 is 5/8' taller. it will bolt up in every way. changing the diff wouldnt be that important as the increase in power isnt going to huuuge and the std diff will handle it ok.

an expert reconditioner probably wont be to keen to chuck in a set of rings and bearings without doing the whole lot. take it to a normal mechanic if thats what u want done.

[brentm]

No I meant what would you expect it to cost to have whole engine recoed not just rings and bearings

[BigNorm]

not sure exactly but it'd be 1-1500 maybe?  make a couple of phonecalls

[brentm]

I may soon have the oportunity of picking up a running [good hopefully] 1600cc engine that came out of a mk3 cortina.Am I rite in assuming that it will bolt strait onto my existing mounts and gearbox and exhaust,without any modifications,any advice, thawts appreciated.

[brentm]

Good news I have found a 1600 engine and gearbox out of a 72 mk3 ,am told its a good runner,so will hopefully be able to swap it strait into my mk3.Its being delivered hopefully next week.What would it be best to look out for or check before putting it into my car.is it possible to set it up and try running it out of car ,maybe do a compression test ,as you can tell im fairly green at this business.Any thawts suggestions appreciated.Brent

[BigNorm]

lot of pissfarting around getting an engine to run on the ground. spend the time and get it running in the car. someone experienced can do an engine swap like that and have it running in a couple of hours. someone inexperienced maybe a weekend. its not difficult.