What was the biggest engine in a Ford Pinto?
The biggest engine used in the Ford Pinto was the 2.3-liter inline-four (the Lima engine).
Produced from 1971 to 1980, the Pinto offered a range of four-cylinder engines, with displacements increasing over the model's life. Availability varied by year and market, but the 2.3-liter Lima was the largest factory option installed in later Pintos, delivering more torque for the sportier trims.
Engine options over the Pinto's lifespan
Below is a snapshot of the main engine options Ford offered in Pinto models, illustrating how displacement expanded and which variant represented the top-end performance.
- 1.6-liter inline-four (Kent family) — the baseline engine in early Pintos
- 1.8-liter inline-four — a common upgrade in mid-life models
- 2.0-liter inline-four — used in some later or market-specific Pinto variants
- 2.3-liter inline-four (Lima family) — the largest engine offered in Pintos
In summary, while the Pinto began with smaller four-cylinder options, the 2.3-liter Lima engine represented the peak of its factory-displacement lineup and became the most notable powerplant in the model’s later years.
The 2.3-Lima engine
The 2.3-Lima was a larger, more modern four-cylinder that Ford adapted from its broader family of 2.3 engines. In Pintos, it provided a noticeable boost in performance compared with the early 1.6 and 1.8-liter variants and became the hallmark of the later, more powerful Pinto configurations.
Other engines
Early Pintos relied on smaller, more economical four-cylinder engines. Throughout the model’s run, Ford experimented with incremental increases in displacement to balance cost, efficiency, and performance, with the 2.3-Lima ultimately standing as the largest option available in the U.S.-market Pinto lineup.
Summary
The Ford Pinto's engine history culminates with the 2.3-liter inline-four Lima as the largest factory option. While the car started with smaller powerplants, the 2.3L provided the highest displacement and remains the key fact about the Pinto’s performance lineage.
Which Ford has the 7.3 Godzilla?
Ford vehicles that use the 7.3L "Godzilla" engine include the Ford Super Duty lineup, such as the F-250, F-350, and F-450, and heavy-duty chassis cabs like the F-53 and F-59. It is also available as a standalone crate motor from Ford for custom projects.
This video provides a long-term review of the Ford F-350 with the Godzilla engine: 58sThe Dirthead ShedYouTube · Jun 13, 2025
- Ford Super Duty: This is the primary application for the engine, found in the F-250, F-350, and F-450 pickup trucks.
- Heavy-Duty Chassis Cabs: The engine is also used in commercial applications like the F-53 and F-59 chassis cab models, which are often used for larger trucks and motorhomes.
- Crate Engine: Ford also offers the 7.3L Godzilla engine as a direct-fit crate motor for those who want to install it in other vehicles, notes ROUSH CleanTech.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Ford F-250's fuel economy with the Godzilla engine: 56sGetty's GarageYouTube · Sep 28, 2025
What is the difference between Ford 427, 428, and 429 engines?
427 and 428 are FE medium blocks. (4.63" bore spacing) 429 is a 385 series big block. (4.9" bore spacing) Godzilla engine is 4.53" Windsor & Cleveland small blocks are 4.38" bore spacing. 428 and 427 are FE engines but very different bore and strokes 427~ 4.23”x3.
Did Ford ever put a V8 in a Pinto?
In their day, most Ford Pintos were pretty pokey. This one is emphatically not. With a 302-cubic-inch V-8 crate engine installed, this '70s subcompact is built to surprise at the drag strip.
What size engine did the Ford Pinto have?
The Pinto engine was available in five displacements: 1.3 L (1,294 cc), earlier 1.6 L (1,593 cc), later 1.6 L (1,598 cc), 1.8 L (1,796 cc) and the 2.0 L (1,993 cc). Later 2.0 L (1,998 cc).
