SVO Engine Life

[thehemi]

What is the normal expectation for engine life from
the SVO's little turbo powerplant? 100K? 200K?
Is the 2.3T hard to rebuild? Would someone with
experience rebuilding 5.0s and self-tuning SHOs
have a relatively easy time?

Are rebuild parts for the 2.3 turbo expensive?

Scott

[SVOeric]

WOW... lots of questions there..

Normal engine life depends on how it has been driven, and what kind of performance you are after. There are some of these engine out there still running after 200k miles, with stock, un-rebuilt engines.

Most of the time, a rebuild includes performance enhancments, and is done for that reason, instead of wear issues.

2.3's are about the EASIEST engine to work on I have ever seen... If you have been worknig on tarus SHO (/yahama) V6's, this thing will be a breeze....

Rebuild parts for the 2.3 T, and the 2.3 are pretty much the same... the SVO uses different (forged) pistions, I cant remember on the rods, I am thinking they are the same, but the rest of the bottom end of the engine is exactly the same as a stock 2.3.
The head is also the same (different shaped ports) but the hardware is all the same as a stock 2.3. It is also recomended that you use a upgraded head gasket (like a felro 1035) This is a good thing, as stock rebuild parts are CHEAP, and available EVERYWHERE!

When you start going performance rebuilds, it can get expensive quickly, as with about any engine, and sometimes our options are limited, because the 2.3 group isn't nearly as large as the 5.0 groups.

[thehemi]

Thanks for the additional information.

I ask because I just came upon a lead this AM
for an '84 SVO with 180K miles. So I was just
curious if a rebuild of one of these 2.3Ts was
much more complicated than an OHV V8.

Assuming a stock rebuild, is there a ballpark
figure for all the parts/gaskets necessary?
Doing all the work, minus machining, at home.

Scott

[SVOeric]

I believe I paid about $95 for my flepro gasket kit.

I also put a new ford oil pump in, about $55
(be leary of hi volume/pressure oil pumps!!)

I bought a felpro 1035 head gasket, (better than the one that comes in the kit) i believe it was about $55, this is not really NECESSARY, but boost is addictive!!

new main bearings/rod bearings/cam bearings, probably totaled roughly $80

I used total-seal rings, about $100, others are cheaper

other than the little odds and ends that I replaced, that was about it.

All these prices are off the top of my head, and I bought all my stuff from either Paul@SVPU, or Jim@ Motion Dynamics.
You can pick this stuff up at discount places, but these guys make sure you get the right stuff the first time, and will take care of you if you have a problem.

Ask one of those discount guys for something for a mustang SVO, and the start flippnig to V8 stuff, you never know what you will get!!!

[thehemi]

That is good that the 2.3T is pretty similar to the 2.3.
Now the only worry is those rare body panels.

Scott

[SVOeric]

actually, most body panels are interchangable..

hatch, doors, quarters, and front fenders, with a slight bit of modification will all swap out..

hood, nose, side spats, sail panels, bottom rails are the big ones...
All the suspension is different too.