My little Mk II Escort Coupe - Page 2 - Ford Forums

The MaDDeSTMaN · 09-12-2002, 04:47

Ok, so a 5 speed isn't TOO expensive to consider then, and it sounds like once it's slotted in behind the 1.6L, if I later decide to go for a 1.6L to 2L swap, then I'll still be able to use the 5 speed - so I won't be up for a replacement gearbox, just the engine. Sounds good to me.

Regarding the tacho, there is a blank space right in the center of the dash binnacle where it could go, and I'm guessing that's where the tacho went if it was fitted from the factory. I'd just like to be able to see how hard my little engine is revving, and I don't want the tacho cluttering up the dashboard. I want this car to remain stock looks wise, asides from a few minor, selected modifications.

My girlfriend thinks I should just restore the car back to original condition, and that if I modify it at all, I'll lower it's value. What do you people think?

Oh, and what do people think of thermo fans on 1.6L engines? I was thinking it might be a good idea, so the engine gains a little more power from not having to drive that fan, and also that way the engine won't take as long to come to operational temp, and will only be cooled when it needs it. Or would it be a better idea to keep it the way it is?

Sierra · 09-12-2002, 07:06

MaDDeSTMaN

The tacho goes on the left hand side of the dash binnacle where yours has got the fuel and temp gauges now, and the blank space you have in the centre now is where the fuel and temp gauges go on a dash that has a tacho .... does that make sense:s6:

Yeah .... go on restore the car and don't be afraid to make a few mods, the coupe's look fantastic when they're lowered a bit and fitted with nice mags.

Don't worry about lowering the cars value, unfortunately they have non unless they are a true "classic" Escort ie: Lotus Twin Cam etc.

As for the thermo fan .... I'd save the money and put it towards a 2 litre motor :s3 :s3

Alan

cortinagt · 09-15-2002, 05:50

hey.....my mk1 cortina has a 1600 motor....i have increased the comression by using 1300 pistons (smaller bowl) and shaving the block a bit as well. I have about 11.5:1 which seems to run ok on 98 octane BP Ultimate here in WA but i used to race it on avgas (100 octane).

I use twin 45mm webers.

if u want any more info just let me know....im not into hiding anything if my info can help u ask much as other have helped me...and save u money them its all good hey.

shaft · 10-05-2002, 19:45

Do what we did years ago .... Chuck a 302w init :o

The MaDDeSTMaN · 10-24-2002, 09:35

Ok, so I've done a few things to my little Ford now... I had a chrome tip fitted to the exhaust, replaced the almost-bald front tyres with a new set of 13" 165's, replaced the spark leads, got new door pins, oh and I've replaced the 6" front speakers with a new set of 80w 6" speakers. I've been given a set of 6"x9" speakers to fit, and I'll probably be getting those fitted them in the next few weeks.

A bit over a week ago I noticed the oil level was starting to drop rather rapidly, and at the same time, oil was spilling over the side of the block, so I went and got the rocker cover gasket replaced. They also tuned the engine a bit for me (I'm still learning all that sort of stuff...) and adjusted the brakes (The handbrake was barely holding it on steep hills). Sadly, they also discovered a few problems: the front wheel bearings need replacing (Being done tomorrow), the radiator has a crack in it (being replaced tomorrow) and the first and second cylinder spark plugs are being fouled with oil - so the engine will need to be replaced at some stage.

Some people are telling me I should sell the car, but I REALLY don't want to.

BA GT-HO · 11-17-2002, 19:22

Well done on the purchase of a classic Ford!

Well my friend, welcome to the world of Classic Fords. You will find you will need to replace a lot of components here and there and at some cost at times. People will tell you that you are wasting your time sometimes but live with it. They don't share the same passion as you and I. It may give you the sh!ts but time and time again you will just go for a drive and remember why you bought it. The smell of vynil, the sounds, the rough suspension and the feeling of seat of your pants acceleration that a classic Ford gives you for some reason. (Although you may not really be going that fast it just feels so fast!)

I myself own a MKI 1970 Capri with a 2l Pinto engine in it. (Pinto is the name given to the OHC 2l Engine). Currently I am having the head ported, Kent FR32 cam installed, oversize valves put in as well as an exhaust system and extractors. The 2l engine is great because it is so simple to work on. I am 19 and only still learing about engines, so this is why I am, as others put it, "wasting your time on a crappy 4cyl engine". I have a job but it doesnt pay enough to go put a 302 in the capri becuase it is not that simple. You need a chassis kit, bigger brakes, the list is endless...

If your 1600 engine is gone put a 2l pinto in your Escort - she will fly guaranteed.

Some simple mods like I am currently doing should get you 130 - 150 BHP which in a car that weighs like 1100kg is more than enough to blow the doors of some older commodores and falcons at the Saturday night traffic light GP. And you would only have to spend about $1000 - $1500 to have a car that will satisfy you for a good couple years.

Twin webers are a bit of a hassle though for your first car as I discovered. You will end up paying $1000 for a decent set and a manifold... You would realisticly only gain 10 - 20BHP out of it. The Weber 32/36 DGAV carby is what I am using at the moment and it is fine to be honest. (With some rejetting and tuning on the dyno.) But again it is personal choice.

I am still learning about tuning the Pinto engine and it all comes down to asking lots of questions and just adding to your bank of knowledge. A lot of people will tell you "this is good" then you will ask someone else and they will go "this part is shit, get this one!"

It can be confusing but just try to ask as many people as possible about parts, problems etc and you should come out with a good result.

By the way check your newsagent for a mag called "Classic Fords" It is a pommy mag that is dedicated to classic 4 and 6 cyl fords like Escorts and Capris. A great source of ideas and info.

Anyway enough rambling, I hope I helped you a little.

Best of luck with the car and mods,

BA GT-HO

Martin · 11-17-2002, 20:10

Put an SR20DET in it! Even on stock boost it would fly

Should be able to pick up a complete engine, gearbox and wiring for around $2500

XR6 VCT UTE · 11-17-2002, 23:49

I have a set of 40mm dellortoes forsale for $100 if you want them

I have had a few escorts in my time my self,3 rally packs ,
3 Rs 2000s very underestimated car in modified form,I am currenttly building a club sprint/ hill climb Rs 2000 type 9,5 speed,atlas diff,billies,twin 40s,6 point cage,h/d adjustable suspension,antidive kit,stripped out interior will be going for bmw ventilated disks,volvo 4 pot calipers, just for the weekends of corse,

Another engine to consider is the zetec 2 ltr out of the mondeo which will soon be finding its way in to my car,200 hp injected

Good luck with yours pal

rsgerry · 11-18-2002, 00:15

i just couldnt leave this topic alone!

firstly, The MaDDeSTMaN, congrats on your purchase. if you get a tacho dash, you will probably need to wiring loom to go with it. if your engine has packed up, your best bet is to go for a 2 litre. the 1600 is about 70bhp, the 2000 about 95 bhp. and with rextractors and an air filter, you can add about 10% opwer to that. also, i believe sierra 5 speeds are about $500 now.

dont know where you live, but if you are in perth, nobody knows more about escorts than rolly waters at racetune. even going to the workshop is a treat. i was there on saturday and there was a mk1 that was being worked on with huge flares, very low and i believe a 2 litre going in, there was a sierra cosworth, an escort cosworth and a mk2 rs2000 that is cosworth turbo powered. he also has a yard full of wrecks that you can play in :-)

BA GT-HO, i think you will find your capri will run very nicely once you do those mods to it. i had that done, and the motor bored out to 2.1 litres and that car used to fly. i assume the capri weighs close to the escort, in which case you are looking at about 900kg.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 11-18-2002, 06:13

I got the radiator replaced, and I've replaced the spark plugs with the hottest spark plugs available, as recommended by a mechanic so they last a little bit longer before failing due to being fouled with oil. I was wondering, should I replace the oil with thicker oil intended for older engines, to hopefully make less of it leak into the cylinders until I can afford to get the engine replaced? Or would that make no real difference?

I'd love to put in something bigger - a 2L pinto would be GREAT, but doesn't that mean a lot of work - engineers certificate, re-routing the fuel lines and exhaust, to name just a few issues?

Martin - unless I'm very much mistaken, a SR20DET is a nissan engine, right? While I've got nothing against Nissans, I'd prefer to keep it a Ford engine, although I would consider a Turbo Cosworth 2.0L DOHC, if I could afford it. :s6:

rsgerry - I'm in Melbourne. I've heard of rolly waters (BTW, anybody who likes Ford Escorts might like to have a look at THIS, if they havn't already seen it...) at racetune, and trust me, if Perth wasn't so far away, I think I'd probably spend more time there then I do at home AND work! Oh, and my brothers fav car is the Capri from the same era as my little Escort, in his dreams he owns a V6 GT Capri. From what I've read, the main differences between the 70's capris and the escorts were the size of the engine bay and of course the different body styling, oh and the capri was SLIGHTLY heavier. Hmm, perhaps I should be glad he doesn't have one, he'd be able to give me a REALLY good run if he had one! Oh yeah, and thanks for the info about the 5 speed - something to keep in mind once I've got the more important things (like the engine) sorted out...

Another problem is that the car still has to pass a roadworthy, and as it is at the moment, it won't pass - it doesn't have high beam head lights. I tried replacing the globes, but even with new globes, I don't have high beams - so I'm guessing thats an electrical problem somewhere... Not good...

Some good news (well, good news for me anyway), I've been given my brothers 1976 Toyota Corona (2 litre 4 cylinder toyota 18R engine, not a bad little car, but no Fast Ford, so...), which needs a few repairs, but once I've got it repaired, I'll be selling it and that'll help pay for some of the work on my precious little yellow Escort...

BA GT-HO, where are you? if you're in Melbourne, perhaps we could meet up sometime, sounds like your car would be the sort of thing that would leave my brother drooling for weeks afterward...

Oh, and in my opinion, ignore people who put down the 2 litre pinto, after all, that engine has a racing history, proven time and time again, and besides, who can deny that the sound of a pinto (or kent, in my case) just sounds damn cool, espcially compared to modern engines... Besides, don't forget about a little often forgotten issue called 'power to weight' - put together a 4 cyl to make a reasonable amount of power in a fairly light car and you've got something that can really launch off the line! That's what I want to end up with, something to scare owners of Commodores and perhaps even Falcons, and something that can go around corners DAMN fast, fast enough to out corner Commodores and Falcons, at least...

edxr6wgn - I might be interested in the 40mm dellortoes if: a) I didn't have more pressing things to spend the money on

& b) If I lived in Sydney or you lived in Melbourne (that would eliminate transport costs getting them to me)... But thanks anyway for the thought, perhaps if you've still got them available once I've got the engine sorted... I think anybody who under-estimates an RS2000 simply doesn't know anything about them - they're certainly not a slow 'grandma' car...

Thanks to everybody for your ideas and input. with all the buzz around the new falcons, I really though nobody would give a rats about a car as old as mine - thanks for proving me wrong!