Cleveland into '67/'68/'69/'70 Cortina or Escort - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

tonyk · 03-21-2002, 21:09

After some tips from anyone that has done a Cleve conversion to an early Ford like an Escort or Cortina (pre emissions vehicle)

I have a spare 351C in garage and nowhere to stick it.

My GF B.I.L is doing a 350 LJ to be rego'd in SA, and I feel a bit left behind. I want to do a big motor small car conversion now too.
My 460 XD ute is now not as threatening as it once was :(
I was thinking about a TT351C in a Falcon, but a NA351C in a 70's Escort would be easier and more interesting.
I really like the look of the Cortina (square taillights) that RDP racing have but they are hard to find in good nick.

Anyone been there, done that????

ebxr8240 · 03-22-2002, 01:54

Done a 302w into Mk 1 Escort!! Front pulley behind X member
Cut firewall from chassis rails up to plenum. 25mm sq pipe to space fram and extend firewall into or under dash. No heater but three holes in inside firewall to get spark plugs in/out. 3 ltr Capri front suspension.C4 & B/W shortened disc/lsd Falcon diff. Have photo somewhere.Was used for Rally Cross and car club car...
Did flying 1/4 mile 158 mph @ an airport..F.T.D...It was a bullet!!!

SVO8 · 03-22-2002, 18:38

Definetly could get interesting with the clevo,If you want to licence the vehicle,I would use a windsor 302 ,kits are available,and some good go fast bits are now available.The cortina is also a better option for the conversion due to it,s front suspension setup,eg wishbone vs strut.

xacoupe · 03-22-2002, 18:54

Various chassis shops will do it for you no probs.. the engineering required will make your eyes water though!!
You could probably tickle it to handle reasonably but as it weighs heaps more than a windsor you are looking more at a straight line car .. not that there is anything wrong woth that !!!!!!!!!!

tonyk · 03-24-2002, 16:40

I would have thought the engineering would have been much like a 350 into LJ torana idea (which is not much more than a grand)
I think a fully braced chassis, seam welded body and half rollcage should cover the torsional rigidity issues.
I think the kits for a late GT type cortina would be available but if not I'd just copy the principles of the chev to torana kit.
Brake conversion to Falcon fronts should be available too. Brake bias adjusters are readily available too.
A cut down disc lsd from an XD at a 3.5 + ratio curbs top speed on paper and a c4 is a small trans to get under a cortina without too much body hacking I would imagine.
I'm talking a stock cleveland anyway. I'd like to make a "factory" look to it. All the aircleaner and engine bay stickers etc.
Just a weekend cruiser.....

I would rather stick with the cleve cos I got one already.
If I had a 302/351W I'd use that.

tonyk · 03-24-2002, 16:41

Quote:

Originally posted by ebxr8240
Done a 302w into Mk 1 Escort!! Front pulley behind X member
Cut firewall from chassis rails up to plenum. 25mm sq pipe to space fram and extend firewall into or under dash. No heater but three holes in inside firewall to get spark plugs in/out. 3 ltr Capri front suspension.C4 & B/W shortened disc/lsd Falcon diff. Have photo somewhere.Was used for Rally Cross and car club car...
Did flying 1/4 mile 158 mph @ an airport..F.T.D...It was a bullet!!!

Got a pic or two????

ebxr8240 · 03-26-2002, 02:01

Scanner not working/ connected.
Now I'll have to sort through my
photo album!!

xacoupe · 03-26-2002, 03:54

Quote:

Originally posted by tonyk
I would have thought the engineering would have been much like a 350 into LJ torana idea (which is not much more than a grand)
I think a fully braced chassis, seam welded body and half rollcage should cover the torsional rigidity issues.
I think the kits for a late GT type cortina would be available but if not I'd just copy the principles of the chev to torana kit.
Brake conversion to Falcon fronts should be available too. Brake bias adjusters are readily available too.
A cut down disc lsd from an XD at a 3.5 + ratio curbs top speed on paper and a c4 is a small trans to get under a cortina without too much body hacking I would imagine.
I'm talking a stock cleveland anyway. I'd like to make a "factory" look to it. All the aircleaner and engine bay stickers etc.
Just a weekend cruiser.....

I would rather stick with the cleve cos I got one already.
If I had a 302/351W I'd use that.

a cleveland is much bigger than a 350 .. and heavier.
I believe some cortinas had different size trans tunnels... but I am not sure although it would pay to look at a few

tonyk · 03-26-2002, 20:11

I had a look at RDP racings Cortina in the article from some magazine that was there. It appears that they have not cut any sheet metal to fit the engine.

I suppose a 302W would be OK but it starts me behind the 8 ball a bit. I want it rego'd but doubt it would pass with a big cam in it.
If a MAF EFI 302 could be fitted that may be another option.
At least I could get some good figures without killing rego chances. ULP motor should be favourable over LRP.
Really cant afford to go alloy heads etc to save weight either.

ebxr8240 · 03-26-2002, 20:54

Thought of the 4.6 V8 o.h.c I see one advertised in
parts peddler for $3200 will fit. Cortina's have wide
inner guards.Rego be NO problem...It's a weight
v's size motor scale these days... Unfortunately..