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Thread: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

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    Question Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Hi, First of, I have to admit that I don't know anything about cars, (although that's never stopped me before). It has always been interesting to me and I really like older cars.

    But these are probably beginner questions. I have an old Ford Capri with an original 1600 pinto engine. As long as I have had the car, it ran irregular. After changing everything that has to do with the ignition (new plugs, cables and accuspark) it still didn't work the way it should. So a month ago I decided to take the head off the engine. I got it skimmed and it became clear that third cilinder was leaking. Because the head was off the car anyway I decided to put in a camshaft of a 2 liter engine. (Supposed to give a bit more power)

    I now have 2 problems: there's white smoke coming from the exhaust, is it possible that a new headgasket is leaking? How do I know for sure? As soon as I put in first gear and release the clutch the engine stops (at first it was fine) why?

    How bad did I fuck up? I really want to know what I did wrong, so I can fix it.

    Video of the car running in idle https://youtu.be/JWqdjTN1wZc (phone died when I got to the exhaust, so no video of that, but there's a small puddle of water, it doesn't taste like coolant). I really hope you guys are able to help me, because at this moment I'm kinda desperate.

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    You can check for cylinder pressure with a pressure tester...just screw in the sparkplug hole and crank the engine....do all 4 and they should all be the same...if one is different ,then that cylinder is the problem..(it could be ,gasket,rings,or valves not sealing ect)...if youve blown a head gasket between oil/water...your water system will become overpressurised...and you will see sludge in the water...and possibly foamy sludge in the oil filler breather when removed....

    (im not sure putting a 2 litre camshaft in a 1600 will actualy make it work better or worse....)but ive never tried it...

    Cheers mark

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    factory 1600 gt engines had a 2.0 cam and carb

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    Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Yes 2.0 cam is fine.
    White smoke - how long as it run for ? They sometimes need a while to clean the exhaust etc.
    Stops when lifting clutch - not sure what u mean as it will stall on tickover 😄 or as soon as clutch pedal moves ?

    Seems to run ok is it reving cleanly or sluggish ?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    It ran for about 20 minutes. The engine stalls as soon as the clutch comes up (so when the engine actually has to do anything).

    I bought a cheap compression tester, the first cylinder has way less pressure then the other three (6 bar instead of 9), this weekend the head will have to come off again.

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    grind valve seats while off

    and clean the bolt holes out to enable bolts to fully thread home.(just in case)

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    It sounds like that engine is n't firing on all four cylinders. The easiest way is to do a spit test on the ex manifold on each cylinder and
    quickly check the temperature with your finger. Be quick or you'll get your finger burned.

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Before you take the head off...take the valve cover off and check the valves are opening and more importantly closing on the cylinder with low compresion...might be a simple fix...cheers mark

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Bought a cheap leakdown tester, seams to be leaking through the first cylinder into the oil

    So I need another engine, I already own a 2l pinto engine, but took it apart, can I put the original pistons back without honing the block?

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Could be the head gasket....have a look at the gasket to see any problems...
    Cheers mark

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    I found the real problem: a bend exhaust valve. About halve a millimeter, but clearly bend. I think I have to find someone with anoathe to straighten it out (can't buy a new one this Easter weekend).

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    straightening exhaust valves is a no no.. valves are also very hard not really suited to being reworked in a lathe, a very slight bend can be removed in a valve refacing machine, but not recommended

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    A quick update (maybe someone's curious). I ordered new exhaust valves and rebuild the head. I still have to pull out the entire engine to fix an oil leak te pass MOT next year.

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    is it running ok now ?

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Quote Originally Posted by hellum View Post
    A quick update (maybe someone's curious). I ordered new exhaust valves and rebuild the head. I still have to pull out the entire engine to fix an oil leak te pass MOT next year.
    Always curious, that's how we learn!
    Please let us know the outcome

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    Re: Pinto 1.6 with 2l cam, no power / leaking head gasket?

    Took the engine apart, replaced all gaskets and put it back together. It's running but still quite rough. (https://youtu.be/3Nm-Y9sHXB8) anyone an idea why? I did notice that the fourth cylinder was in bad shape (when cleaning the oil went through it quite fast).

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