Fingers

Yep

1 hour ago, Panko said:

Yeah im thinking a slimline for the front. 
can get the current combo stamped in slim. 
 

also considering putting the number plate where the UK cars had them, down the bottom where that little groove is under

the “nostrils” 

25 minutes ago, deankdx said:

yeah looks better below the bumper line in My opinion also . 

be simple enough to blue tak it in place for a look in various positions 

Not a fan of the lower plate position for some reason.

Looking great

10 hours ago, damo9999 said:

i dont think the xg dash loom would work ,my xf ute was built by a local automotive tafe ,so they used a complete ltd to use as a donor car for all its ltd only parts including complete wiring loom and dash ...so it has trip computer ,cruise control  ,star wars dash , also has complete ltd front ,it even had a brand new efi motor (not rebuilt ) donated by ford with no engine number ever stamped on it . it was a pain to get registered as I had to get a letter from the tafe

Yeah, that changes things

In the big scheme of things, pulling the dash to use the XG loom and cluster isn't that big a job

Sofa king good

This car is going to turn out really nice

At least you have something to work with.

You are fortunate to have a decent shed and parking.

Many people in greater Melbourne would be very envious

Any progress now that you are out of lockdown?

A Falcon/Commodore/Nissan BW75/78 is probably overkill for most street Escorts.

That said, something like a turbo YB Cosworth is definitely going to need a strong rear axle.

I broke one with a stock 1300 many years ago (I was a teenager)

1 hour ago, Panko said:

No its smaller i believe. 
 

these aren’t very strong. My new engine could easily break it if im not careful 

Correct.

Smaller, weaker, basically garbage

23 hours ago, Panko said:

 

strange. 

My original books, workshop manual and lots of other owners of Mk1s in the car club all say the BW diffs are what were fitted to Aussie Mk1s. 

 

the RSs got them, and Mexicos got them. 

 

in the UK, all Mk1s had the front loading diffs. 

 

 

I just grabbed my Escort parts book, dated 3/72.

It seems that all MK1 until August 1971 had English axles, then August onwards, most had Borg Warner.

Of the 3 MK1 2 doors that I have currently, 2 are 1970 build with English axles, and 1 1974 with a BW.

The 1972 car I had years ago had a BW, but I replaced it with a 4.125 ratio English out of a MK1 van.

The 1975 MK1 van I have now  has an English axle, but that now seems likely it has been replaced at some time.

7 hours ago, Panko said:

 

I stand corrected. 

 

I have some good news. 

 

The front struts and hubs do not need to be 2L. They can be any Mk2. Fingers, you were right. 

 

2L struts are larger diameter, 51mm, whereas all other struts are 48mm, same as my current struts. 

So i will be able to transfer over all my components, springs, shocks, bump stops. only thing i have to change is my bearings and tie rod ends. 

 

So the bill to fix this will be a lot less than first expected

I have had quite a few Escorts over the years, Ford Escorts that is, and only 2 have had the BW rear axle.

I mentioned a while back.

If you have increased the handling of the car, and you drive it to suit, you will use more brake capacity, even though you have not increased the power of the vehicle.

A question. Do they have to be 2.0L struts, or just MK2?

And

English axle was also in MK1.

3 of the 4 MK1 Escorts I have here have English axles

Looking good.

Where did you purchase the brake upgrade from?

Ok, a Lotus Twin cam  is a different animal to the RS1600 engine, that is also a twin cam.

The Lotus was based on a Pre Crossflow style block, the BDA on a Crossflow style block.

The Lotus has a timing chain, the BDA a belt.

The fact that both were fitted to MK1 Escorts adds to the confusion. 

3 minutes ago, Panko said:

 

you got that right. 

 

I wonder how hard it actually is to convert a 1600 kent to a twin cam. They are the same block after all. How do the DOHC cams get driven? 

Probably not hard at all if you have buckets of cash.

They are a belt drive.

1 hour ago, Panko said:

 

I know of at least one in the future. 
just not sure when. Its for a Zetec conversion into a Mk1. But its a fair way off. 

I really like the idea of a Zetec.

Mainly because they can be dressed to look like a BDA, and I have no chance of affording a real RS1600 or RS1800.

Those switches are beautiful

The van reverse lights are worse, literally just a Hella universal clear lamp. 

I must be an Escort train spotter  .

I noticed the lack of reverse lights straight away.

I presumed you had deleted them on purpose.

It's beautiful

Was it green at some stage, or is that blue paint affected by the stripper?