Front radiator x-member removal

[sambo]

I need to cut out a panel on my mk1. It's the front radiator panel cross member thingy part that runs across the car side to side and under the radiator. It needs to go to make way for my rad im fitting otherwise the fan will hit the water pump pulley. Anyway, whats the best way to do this peeps? Do i cut it out and invert it? Has anyone else had to do this? I think i read once that to fit a pinto into an escort this panel needs to be cut out but i cant remember what one, mk1 or mk2.

 

any help on this would be appreciated as it seems a little strange to have to cut this out just to fit what is essentially a pinto block?

The rad is an alloy one but is not particularly large in any way?

 

Cheers all.

[over_head_cam]

I know I might sound a bit daft, but can't you put the fan in front of the rad?

[sambo]

The rad has a welded on mount on the inside and there is limited room for the oil cooler too on the other side.

[over_head_cam]

Ah. I see

 

Well I dn't actually see, but I sort of get what you mean. A bit

 

 

 

If you only need a little bit of clearance, could you cut and shut the x-member and make it a bit thinner?

[over_head_cam]

Pics?

[fezza]

Think i know what you mean mate,ive just bought a grp4 alloy rad a done a trial fit and guess what,the x member thingy is in the way i was going to jus cut out the reqired amount for clearence and weld it up,i shall keep my eye on this post to see if there is any advice

[MK II Mark]

To get my rad in I cut the cowling out and bolted the new rad in. I had to weld in some new panels up each side as the rad fixings were slightly to small to fit but that depends on which rad you get I suppose, I fitted a cortina MK 4 rad.

 

I will try and get some pics up soon but the camera is away getting fixed at the mo.

[sambo]

Will try to get some pics up but photobucket isnt working at the mo. Might have a go with the air cutter tomorrow afternoon though!

[sambo]

Think i know what you mean mate,ive just bought a grp4 alloy rad a done a trial fit and guess what,the x member thingy is in the way i was going to jus cut out the reqired amount for clearence and weld it up,i shall keep my eye on this post to see if there is any advice

 

Do you need to bring the rad towards the front of the car Fezza?? If i cut it out and reverse it...if ya know what i mean, that way the strength will still be there but just a different shape..... It nice not being alone!!!

[fezza]

Yea thats it sambo i need to bring the rad towards the front of the car,i like the reversing the cut out section and welding back in idea,also saves mucking about fabricating a pannel to fit

this is the pannel yes

[john_3.0s]

hey sambo, i just put a new one of those on my mex. dont think you want to hack it about too much as I believe its a structural part of the car as it stiffens the front chassis rails once its welded in and provides the front mounts for the ARB brackets. The only way i could see to get it out propperly was to pull the front panel off, would be a complete b!tch without doing that but might be possible

 

As i recall its the slam panel that needs a bit of fellting to make a pinto fit, otherwise maybe you want to try these..

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Escort-Mk1-Rally- ... dZViewItem

 

and make up your own rad mounts

[sambo]

Yea thats it sambo i need to bring the rad towards the front of the car,i like the reversing the cut out section and welding back in idea,also saves mucking about fabricating a pannel to fit

this is the pannel yes

 

Mine looks totally different to that fezza!??

 

I think that it has been modded in the past?? i'l try to get some photo's up asap.

[fezza]

Ahh,thats a mk2 one yours must be different just found this though and it looks what we need mate have a look,cheap too

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... ink:top:uk

[sambo]

Ah well, i made a start now Fezza. It's cut out and weather permitting i'll keep going tomorrow evening and get a panel made up for it and weld it in. Bloody difficult to cut it out with the bloody engine in place though!!

[fezza]

Yea i bet thats a bugger to get to with the engine in place,my engine bay is empty allthough i would give anything to trade places,i sooooo wish my engine was in,well i should be getting my gearbox very soon and the fingers crossed i can get started on the car,good luck with getting yours done mate,have you much to do other than the rad pannel

[sambo]

well, not really mate, just got to finish off all the bits and bobs under the bonnet i.e fuel lines, breather, RADIATOR. Then fit the ignition amp somewhere and get some new plug leads. And then hopefully fire it up!!

 

I am starting to think about the re-spray that it needs soon.......... hmm.

 

What about yours? am i right in thinking that your putting a YB in too Fezza??

[spitbarnatt]

This might be of some help to you;

 

The front radiator cross member was cut out and replaced with some 20mm square box section, you can just about make it out running across the bottom at the front. A plate was added connecting it to the bottom of the front panel when fitted.

[mr shag]

i dont know if this helps i cut an l shape out turned it over and welded it back up if you know what i mean

[fezza]

well, not really mate, just got to finish off all the bits and bobs under the bonnet i.e fuel lines, breather, RADIATOR. Then fit the ignition amp somewhere and get some new plug leads. And then hopefully fire it up!!

 

I am starting to think about the re-spray that it needs soon.......... hmm.

 

What about yours? am i right in thinking that your putting a YB in too Fezza??

Cool mate bet you can wait to hear that beast fire up,yes mate im putting the cossie turbo in mine got my engine,had it a while now just waiting for a gearbox which im hoping to get real soon,then i cat on with it,cant bloody wait