New engine for an '85 Tempo Diesel - Ford Forums

Bondo · 01-14-2007, 19:42

I own a 1985 Ford Tempo with a 2L Diesel engine. All was going well until I fried a couple of cylinders. Well, after a near-total rebuild (All but the main bearings.), she threw a piston rod through the side of the cast iron engine block.

So the engine is no more, but I'm a little crazy, and I want to make her run again.

My first thought was to go and get another 2L diesel. But these are hard to find, so I'm thinking about putting a 2.3L gasoline engine in there from a later model Topaz or something along those lines.

My question to you all is this: If I decided to go ahead a pick up a 2.3L gas engine, what would it take to put it into that vehicle? Would the old transaxle work, or would I need to use the transmission meant for the new engine? Would it bolt right in, or would some modification be in order? Also, what particular engine besides the obvious 2L diesel would you suggest I drop into that car?

Your advice is appreciated.

Cronicus · 01-15-2007, 11:00

Hello and welcome.
You hit the spot when u said the disel motors are hard to find.
Im a tempo enthusiasts and odds are i will never see 1 in my life.
and if u do the block is usualy shot.
lemm ask you though is the head still good?
get togther all the good parts you have take pictures and sell it part for part.
ive seen a blown head go for almost $300 on ebay.
unles you realllllllllly like these cars, sell it all and use the funds to drop in a petrol 2.3, hell u can put a v6 in there no problem!
I belive your transmission will work im not completly shure about this yet.
Im shure u have also found out how hard it is just to find parts for the disel.

a few questions.
Your tempo wouldent happen to have awd?
the name plate of the car, it just says "tempo__"
where exactly do you live?
and i have more info for you ill email it or sumthing*

a little Information.
the 2 liter disel was an option for sum of the first generation tempos, it was a solid engine that has serious horse possiblities.
i can quote a memeber on another foum finding build information for sum of the mazda 2 liter diseils upwards of 1000hp for sum big money teams.
i belive it was also "usaly" paired up with awd.
it is the -1967 1/2 427 supercobra jet motor........of tempos.
if ya just want a little """cheap"""" beater car that will take punishment the conversion is your best bet.

Bondo · 01-15-2007, 13:19

The head is still good, yes. In fact, I have two. One of them is a little warped, but you'll still get compression out of it when you bolt it down.

I also have two engine blocks. One is shot, as there is a hole in the side of it, but the other one may still be servicable. The cylinders have a bit of a ridge, but they can probably be honed out.

Cronicus · 01-15-2007, 13:24

the whole story....
do u have 2 "disel" heads and blocks?
please explane

woodlandjim · 01-28-2007, 07:05

I have a running 84 Tempo Diesel. The frame has rusted to where you can't drive the car. Complete car that starts. Has not been parts scavenged. I live 100 miles north of Minneapolis, MN. The motor has a rebuilt head with only about 1500 miles on it. The bottom end has only around 130000. Will sell complete car for right price or if reasonable offer is given I will part out. Will email mpeg, avi or whatever of car starting and running upon request.

Cronicus · 01-28-2007, 09:10

rusted or not the disel fact is worth more than you think.
id start with $1500 obo sold complete.
say $1000 for just the motor and tranny in there enterity.
if you really wnana sell it check out r exclusive free forum.
www.temptopaz.com
join up and post sum pics maybe link up a viedo in the for sale section.
theres a bunch of tempo/topaz enthusiasts near you. it would defintly sell.
id buy it if i had the moeny.

Alaskaman · 12-31-2008, 11:09

Bondo,You said you nearly rebuilt your 2.0L Diesel. Where did you find the parts? I have been looking so I can rebuild mine.

Thanks.

**tbird100636** · 01-01-2009, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaskaman

Bondo,You said you nearly rebuilt your 2.0L Diesel. Where did you find the parts? I have been looking so I can rebuild mine.

Thanks.

Um... the original poster of this thread hasn't been back here in 2 years, when this thread was started. Cronicus the Tempo Guru hasn't been back in a year.

Alaskaman · 01-03-2009, 15:35

T-Bird,

Thank you for your reply. I have another question since I have gotten four diffrent answers from five diffrent Ford Dealers.

Can you tell me who built the Diesel for Ford? I always thought Mazda but I have been told, two said Isuzu, one said Peugeot, one said Mistubishi, another said Ford of Europe but, later call after researching and told me BMW.

I thought I could contact the folks who built the engine for parts.

Thank you

**jwko** · 01-03-2009, 16:10

Quote;

Standard on the first generation Tempo was a new 2.3 L HSC inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with a one-barrel carburetor, with an optional Mazda-built four-cylinder diesel engine.