Speed, you're right to stick with the 2000cc Pinto. That combination of a stock 2L and Escort is ideal and can shame many newer cars. I have a project PAE Escort as well, but not in as good condition as yours. Good luck with it.
It wouldn't hurt to get rid of the original exhaust manifold which is quite restrictive and get a set of suitable headers made for it - the head wouldn't need any work for this mod to be done, as the Ford Pinto's exhaust ports are massive enough already (even a Sierra exhaust manifold would be better than the ol' standard T type). It would help also if you swap the single throat Weber - which is a good carb, don't get me wrong - with a double throat Weber (a 32/36 is ideal).
You mentioned owning a 1600cc Pinto... the head of one of these fits on the 2000cc - and provides wonderful compression with startling/impressive/envious results. The unfortunate side to this combo is you can't do anything with it - at least, you shouldn't unless you wish to run the risk of pushing con rods out of the engine... once this combo is built with a stock head and cam, you'll find it bullet-proof. This will work quite well, giving you time to work on the 2L head, producing a monster at less than one third of the money most ricers will spend to enhance their misguided concept that they have a real car.
