I'm just throwing this out in case it helps. As 65SC stated most of the swaps are with the Turbo motor and the 4 cylinder T-5. In the case of the 2.3 motor there was the 87-88 hydraulic that isn't readily adaptable though some have gone that route with aftermarket stuff. There is a direct pull bell-housing which I think originated on the Murkur. The early Turbo Coupes used a bell crank bell-housing with a short, intermediate cable. That is what I have and the stock Pinto cable worked.
If nothing else maybe this helps to eliminate what the Pinto itself has to offer. How difficult would it be to open the fork hole, or grind down the Pinto connection?
