ta240

I'm planning on replacing the engine in my 73. When I got the car it had the 2.4 and 4 speed. It then got a used 2.8 with Automatic Transmission (long story don't ask The used 2.8 is very tired and leaking oil. Its time to switch it back to a manual transmission also. The 2.8 has round exhaust ports and my stock manifold is still on the car which is square (I'm sure that doesn't do much for performance) I can get a 2.8 rebuild with square ports. Although comparing a 2.4 with a 4 speed to a 2.8 with A/T isn't a real good comparison I do miss the high revving 2.4 engine. It used to pull pretty strong right up to the redline. I'm not sure if it had any mods prior to my getting it though. I like the low end power on the 2.8 (especially with the A/T) but it doesn't pull much past 5,000. Unfortunately I definately don't have the time, (or skill and patience) to do the rebuild myself so I don't get to do all the fun custom combinations I keep reading about on here. My current options are an ATK rebuild, Jasper Engines rebuild or possibly but not real likely a rebello engine (just way more than I can afford). Tossed around the idea of the ATK and just putting a stage 2 cam in it before installing it. Figure that might mess up the warranty though. The car is a daily driver with A/C and gets a 100+ mile commute every day so it needs to get decent gas milage and be very drivable. Not looking at any track time and I'm not looking to beat anyone off the line at a stop light. am I nuts to consider going back to a 2.4? ATK said as long as the core value is the same the core doesn't have to be the same as the rebuilt. Not looking to start a war on what is best, just hoping for some opinions on the different options. thanks! Trevor Sacramento, CA