Pinto engined SEI - value? sell? upgrade?

[yamaha_rd500v4]

My parents have a pinto engined SEI narrow body. It has only been used a couple of times over last few years, and has now been replaced by a more practical Porsche.

They want to get rid of it now and are looking at the options, including me buying it - I rebuilt it from chassis up ten years ago as the original builder made such a bad job of it.

Can anyone give me an idea of value? - It is a narrow independant with westfield diff. 2l (may be 2.1) Pinto with twin 40 dellortos, Burton head and other goodies. Body work has usual crazing and needs a new bonnet. It was suggested to sell the engine and car separatly as apparently the car is the one to have but the engine is too heavy nowadays but would be of interest to classic Ford brigade? Can anyopne but a rough value on the pair if Iwas to split them

The other option would be for me to buy it and stick a Zetec in it. I always enjoyed using it but the Pinto to me is just really old and oily engine and looking around a 2l Zetec can be had for a couple of hundred - or is that being optimistic?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

It's being optimistic...

If you were to do a swap, a Duratec would at least keep the exhaust and inlet on the same side as they are now, but to be honest, that's perhaps academic anyhow.

the average for an engine type swap is usually in the the £2000 ball park, excluding the cost of the engine. It can be done for less of course, (and some spend considerably more), it just depends how good you are at tracking down second hand bargains etc.