Fingers

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.

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

I spent today cleaning up the inside of my NOS Hella replacement headlights. 
 
 

 
For reference, this is what they looked like before cleaning.
This is the second set ive managed to find. I sold the first set (pictured below) onto a mate. For some reason they go white hazy inside when stored their entire life in their boxes. 
My old orange beast. I do miss that colour sometimes 😂 
 

The brakes are from Smcka Performance. 
 
Yes the business name is spelt like that without the A 

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. 

Probably not hard at all if you have buckets of cash.
They are a belt drive.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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 got the gearbox back together today. It shifts really nicely now. much better than it did previously. 
 
 
 
And bolted it back up to the engine. 
Aligning the gearbox on my own is a bit of a challenge, so sling and engine crane to the rescue. 
 

IT RUNS!!! 
Yep, it runs, and runs quite well. 
I didn’t film the first fire, but the second time we fired it up I did film. 
Ill post the video up later. 

I had to reset the exhaust valve clearances, which quietened down the top end a bit. 
 
But it runs like a dream. Its going to be a savage little engine i think. I haven’t done a comp test, im going to wait until its in the car and ive run it properly. 
In hindsight, I should have gone a slightly bigger cam. But i am looking forward to going for a first drive. Im expecting it should make around 70-80kw at the crank. Most likely ill put it on the dyno once its up and running to get a proper tune. So ill take your bets when its ready for the dyno 

I also had my reproduction stickers turn up today. 
Dealership sticker and rego sticker
 

 

So all that is left now to get the engine running is fuel and oil. 
 

 

 
 

So this is where I am at with the Exhaust/extractor thing. 
For the purposes of firing the engine up, I have removed the gearbox mount so i can fit the extractors. basically where the end of the extractors are, is right where the passenger side of the gearbox mount sits. 
 

 
They have a fantastic shape to them, but the back of the gearbox being a little wider, and the mount being located a good 100mm further backwards, they don't clear. 
Also with the 1600 block being taller, it has brought the extractors up. im certain the exhaust ran under the gearbox mount. its not level with it. 
 

 
After soaking in petrol for about 48 hours, then attacking it with degreaser, a screw driver and a hose, the PCV canister has been restored back to as good as new. 
I am going to plumb in a sealed return catch can between this and the intake manifold, but for the purposes of firing it up at home ill plumb it straight into the intake. or maybe let it vent to atmosphere for now 
 

 
All fitted up and looking schmick. 
 

 
I also pulled the top off the fuel pump to have a look inside. I knew it wasn't a genuine Ford one, so it has been replaced at some point. Turns out it is brand spanking new. its never had fuel in it. so that was a nice little surprise. 
 
 
Yesterday I picked up my restored switches, and at the same time bought 3 of the 4 reproduction engine bay and (inside) boot lid stickers I need to bring the car back to 100% factory look. 
 

 
Glenn who has supplied the stickers and done my switches is a legend. and I had some serious shed envy going on. Currently he has 4 Escorts in his shed, 5 at his place in total. 4 of them are his personal cars. 1 of them, the jewell of the collection, a genuine, 1 of 25 Australian delivered Mk1 RS2000. It was a race car for a long time, then retired and sat stagnate for a long time before he bought it in 2001. He is almost finished doing a full nut and bolt restoration on it. so it hasn't been driven in around 25 years, and should be finished and ready for the road by the end of the year.  
 
His shed, can comfortably fit 4 escorts in with room to work on them all, and at a squeeze fit 6. 
 
As I was getting ready to leave, he also offered me 1 and a half sets (6 wheels) of wide steelies....for free. one of the sets were genuine Lotus Escort slotted 13x6 wheels. the other 2 were a bit unknown. After i spent years searching. 
 
I didn't take them yet. I need to check mine out for condition, and then compare to his set. they all need restoring either way. 
 
and the last little surprise from him, was the price for the switches and decals. I totally read his quote wrong. I read it has he was charging me half price, at $50 per switch to restore, so x 3 would be $150. Plus decals $175. 
When I went to pay him the $175, he says no mate, you're $100 over. 🤨 huh? he then showed me his original quote, he charged me $50 for all 3 switches to be done. 
We have known each other for a few years, and I gave him a 4 speed gearbox a while back, which id forgotten about, so that was why he was helping me out on the price. 
I am just waiting on the 1300HC decal, which he had unfortunately run out of, and will need to get more printed. 

Yeah I don't know what I would do. 
 
I was just going to put the original 1300HC decal on there. 

i wouldn't put anything on it that's not in the options(eg, if there's a plaque on a RS etc i'd consider one similar) 
 

Well she’s a different beast now..
Fg gas motor


Barra turbo installed tuned and bloody quick !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those switches are beautiful
 

Those switches are beautiful
 

wow they are amazing! 
 
 

just a small detail, but a bit of joy in this shitty lockdown, 
 
My switches for the Escort have been restored by a fellow RSOCV club member. this will just finish the interior off. 
 
 

Seeing as I have a fancy camera now that can do high quality video, I figured id set this up and put this little clip together. 
Gives you guys an idea how "short" the shifter makes the gear changes on the Type 9..