They were the basis for the SCCA "Formula Ford" for around 40 years... When I worked for a Ford dealer in the 90's Ford Motorsports had a good selection of everything. http://www.thekentlives.com/thekentengine.htm
I don't know how rare they might be but Ford did make a bell housing around 72-3 that would bolt up to any of the Pinto 4s.I had a 72 pinto that came with the 1600 but in 72 the 2,000 was an option the bell housing fit both engines I blew the 1600 and bolted in a 2000 using the same trans and bell housing even later I swapped out the 2,000 for a 2300 still using the same bell housing.I was told back in 1980 by a Ford mechanic that that bell housing was offered just the 1 year that both the 1600 and 2,000 were offered! A lot of changes were made between the 73-4 model years also
Bellhouse pattern of the Kent, Pinto ( both 2.0 and 2.3 ), CVH, and I believe Zetec are all the same. There are some differences in the flywheels. ( I'm bolting a close ratio racing gearbox that was made for a 1500cc pre-crossflow to a 2000cc Pinto. It fits, but I'm a bit worried about its strength...)
How about Dirty Dougs car with an aluminum block flatty? Period correct, and might get pretty close to the 1500lbs...
On the Pinto bellhousing: I got one from behind a 2.0 L in a Capri and the bolt pattern for the transmission is different than what came with my 1.6 L.
Did a 30' A coupe in the 80's and that weighed in at 1581. Built with a .083 tube ch***is with a 301 chevy , M-22 and 513 geared early chevy 10 bolt rear. Took a lot of doing to get it that light and you could watch the frame twist when you got on it. Scared the **** out of me and whomever was in it with me at the time. Never made it past 3rd gear on it.
I would suggest the Stalker V8, but it uses an OT engine to keep the weight down (claimed 1460 Lb wet). Some T buckets have to be that light though, if you put it together with say a 215 Buick (3.5 Rover) it shoudn't be too hard to keep a vehicle under that. The Fellah that built the roadster around a Tempest 4 drivetrain got close as I recall. Would be a fun "go kart" like ride, brutal under acceleration with the right combo (especially since cushy seats are heavy ). Of course that light and you could make it brutal in all directions if you got the handling sorted. Is your sub 1500 Lb benchmark because you are trying to get under some rule or regulation (ie "officer Fife" issues)?
I think a tin side v-8 60 comes in just under 400#'s too and it that aint enough you could always throw an OHV kit on it and make it around 80 or 90 hp in stock trim
1st number is half of the left /right weight distribution, 2nd is half of the front /rear. Numbers went to Left - 52% Rear - 49.2% With me in the driver seat. A p***enger and a full tank of gas should put more than 50% over the rear wheels... Really surprised your 2.0 bell didnt fit the 1.6 Sure it wasnt from a V6 Capri?
You need the bellhousing to match the gearbox, there is 2 common sizes. 2.0 is the larger gearbox pattern and 1.6 is the smaller pattern The bellhousings will swap over on the engines All Kent, SOHC, CVH , Zetec Ford engines have the same bolt pattern at the back of the block
I took my T to the scales at the local s****yard & with only a littl gas in it it weighed 1685, its a T bucket, steel wheels, 400 SBC , TH350 & a ford 8" rear. JimV
My track t project is pretty light but unfinished, so no weight yet....20r 5 speed gl*** body t...2x3 frame.... Yesterdays bs bench racing build.......same style car as above, with a round tube ch***is, about 8" longer wb....small 4.8 ls motor, glide or 350 turbo & 9"......maybe with 70mm in track nose.....4 link suspension....suspension
Didnt Jim Jacobson build a sub 1500lb roadster for his Dad back in the late 80's? Or maybe it was Pete, can't remember... Think it was green with a V6 of some description and fenderless which was the reason for the sub 1500lb target. Edit. It was Pete Chapouris just found this http://www.streetrodderweb.com/features/0403sr_ford_track_t_hotrod/photo_02.html Plus a previous thread. http://66.154.66.47/forum/showthread.php?t=246587&showall=1 P.
For what it's worth, In California when I was much younger,to be fenderless your car had to weigh less than 1500 lbs. Lots tried and lots got tickets for trying to bs their way out. American mag 12 spokes and motor cycle type wires were typically part of the attempt. It was done but it wasn'y easy.
Take a look at Austin Seven specials: Stock early Seven tourer was 800lbs, equipped and road-legal. Specials are possibly a bit lighter. There's a lot of weight to play with to 1500lbs.
With the sbc & cast iron glide it went across the scales right at 1500 with exhaust and what served as the interior. In the early 70's we shot for under 1500 lbs on T buckets.
http://www.streetrodderweb.com/featu.../photo_02.html Everytime I see photos of this car I wish it was mine. It's one of those perfect builds, a hot rod / sports rod / special that is built to be a reliable, "fully functional" car like the Shelby Cobra was. The fact that it's fairly light is just another plus. Gary