Technical Ford Lima 2.3 decrease to 2.0. Sleeve or Destroke?

This is a project is beyond anything I have done, so Help is appreciated..

I have an Esslinger Ford Lima 2.3 engine. I want to reduce the displacement from 2.3 to 2.0:
JE Pistons 118558
Manley Rods 14117
Esslinger Al head
Dry sumped

Options:
Sleeve, requires pistons
Destroke requires a new crank??

Thanks.

00T0T_hG308oCgJsI_0t20CI_1200x9002 by Mike in Wyoming posted Mar 16, 2024 at 7:18 PM

 

That requires a Google search......................

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...er,in the Mercury Capri’s from the early 70’s.

 

Destroke would require both new crank and rods, possibly new pistons also if you cannot get rods to put pistons at
the correct compression height. Not familiar with that series motor, was there a smaller version made?

 

You'd need to reduce the stroke to 2.750" (from 3.126 currently)with a custom crank and rods and/or pistons to get 2.0L. That's usually the better choice in most engines since the breathing ability of the head and cylinder diameter isn't compromised by valve shrouding. Conversely, if you leave the stroke stock you'll need to sleeve down to 3.5" from the current 3.78".

 

I'd agree that the typical way to go would be destroking.
This does 2 things, it keeps the valves and combustion chamber as mentioned and also since the pistons are not moving as far during each rotation, it allows for higher RPM at the same piston speed.
This tends to increase top end HP, often at the expense of low RPM torque. How you are going to use the engine (class by size?) will tell you if this is a good thing and may very well require other mods to optimize the package.
I'd discuss your options with places that do this combo. I'm sure it's a known quantity.
I do remember one little trivia about this. The 2.0 engine the cam came out the back of the head. The 2.3 it came out the front.