Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== 1974 Ford Escort mk1 - Second Rebuild ====== I had run the Escort in its original 1600cc configuration for a year or so, and though it was fun, I new in around 2003 that I wanted more. We talked over what exactly to do with it and settled on doing an engine conversion that lots of others were doing at the time - fitting the Vauxhall/GM 'Red top'. The Red top is a fairly strong engine, with a 16v cylinder head designed (and produced, in some cases) by Cosworth. It's pretty similar to what a road-going, normally aspirated Cosworth YB engine would be, with a healthy 150bhp as standard. At the time the engines were fairly easy (and cheap) to get hold of (times have changed!) - the only real issue being the custom bellhousing, clutch and bearing needed to mate the Vauxhall block to a Ford gearbox. Many people do these components now, but at the time [[https://www.sbdmotorsport.co.uk/|SBD Motorsport]] were the only people with the parts available off-the-shelf. ===== Engine Removal ===== Removing the original crossflow engine: {{:blog:escort:img_0810.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0811.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0813.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0814.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0821.jpg?200|}} The Vauxhall engine can be ECU driven, but we didn't have the budget for that so we stuck with a a distributer - which meant cutting back some of the bulkhead for clearance. We are starting to cut! {{:blog:escort:img_0824.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0825.jpg?400|}} New crossmember fitted: {{:blog:escort:img_0826.jpg?400|}} Trial fit of the replacement engine: {{:blog:escort:img_0847.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0854.jpg?400|}} Engine bay repainted and starting to dress the engine: {{:blog:escort:img_0886.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0887.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0888.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0889.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0892.jpg?400|}} ===== Gearbox & Transmission Tunnel ===== A larger transmission tunnel had to be fabricated to fit the bigger 5 speed gearbox: {{:blog:escort:img_0858.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0856.jpg?400|}} ===== Rear Axle ===== Although the original axle would have //probably// taken the power of the new engine, we decided to uprate it to the much stronger (and wider) Capri 2.8 '//Atlas//' and fit a strong single piece propshaft: {{:blog:escort:img_0863.jpg?400|}}{{:blog:escort:img_0864.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0867.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0870.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0871.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0893.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0894.jpg?400|}} ===== Front Brakes ===== Refurbishing a set of Austin Princess 4-piston calipers: {{:blog:escort:img_0834.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0831.jpg?400|}} Calipers fitted to the Capri 2.8 struts and vented front discs: {{:blog:escort:img_0911.jpg?400|}} ===== Wing / Wheelarch Extensions ===== Probably the biggest job of all... in hindsight (and with enough money, which I didn't have at the time!) these should really have been done in steel, not GRP. But, when you're a recent graduate on the bottom rung of the ladder, you do what you can: {{:blog:escort:img_0914.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0917.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0918.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0916.jpg?400|}} ===== Interior ===== Interior we kept pretty simple - stripped the original paint off, painted it white and fitted a rev counter (the 1300XL didn't have one in its original gauge cluster) as well as a basic centre console with battery cut-off and an Omex rev limiter, since the engine would have no other form of safety from over-rev. {{:blog:escort:img_0912.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0913.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0924.jpg?400|}} ===== Final Specification ===== 1974 Ford Escort mk1 * Chassis stitch welded as per Ford 'blue book' * GRP bubble arch extensions fitted * 2.0 16v DOHC Vauxhall Astra GTE/Calibra/Cavalier GSi 'Red top' engine * Ford Sierra Type-9 5 speed gearbox * Twin Dellorto DHLA 45 sidedraught carbs * Facet solid state fuel pump * Adjustable fuel regulator * Capri 2.8 Atlas rear axle with 4.1:1 final drive * RS 'anti-tramp' bars * Capri 2.8 rear drums * Single piece heavy duty propshaft * Heavy duty single leaf springs * Gaz adjustable rear dampers * Capri 2.8 Bilstein front struts * Austin Princess 4-piston calipers with vented discs * Double width/Anti-dive front anti-rollbar mount * Twin-cam / heavy duty front anti-rollbar * Compomotive MO 8x15 wheels, alloy extensions on front hubs * 205/50x15 tyres ===== Completed Images ===== {{:blog:escort:img_0922.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0927.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0928.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0929.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0930.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0931.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0932.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0933.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0925.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0934.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_0935.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:escort:img_1449.jpg?400|}} blog/escort_restore_2.txt Last modified: 2021/03/06 12:44by john