NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Report Posted March 7, 2017 Bonjour! Actually, I'm not really French, but I do live in France... Great Forum you have here, tons of useful info. Don't currently own an OldSkoolFord, but this does bring me on to my question.... I would dearly love to own a Mk1 Escort, and I have seen a couple of originals for sale over here (and in Germany) that have grabbed by interest: needs to be a LHD. I would like it to be my daily driver, but would need a bit more power under the bonnet. Not looking for loads more power however, and want to stay old skool. My question is this: can anybody point me in the direction of a reputable garage in the SE of England, or the Midlands, that do these kinds of engine swaps (including sourcing all the required parts)? Please let me know if this is not the right sub-forum to ask this question. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Admin Vista Posted March 7, 2017 Admin Report Posted March 7, 2017 Welcome to Old Skool Ford Most (but by no means all) people on here do these kinds of jobs themselves, or at least with the help of like minded friends. I have no idea in the South East or Midlands but there are a few in the South London area that many on here have used. Ashton Mobile, HPE and WPE all have established reputations in this field the latter two are more engine builders than car builders but I think they also offer install services.
NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Posted March 7, 2017 Hello and Thanks! That's absolutely great, I shall contact the garages mentioned and make enquiries. For the moment I just want to get an idea of costs involved. I often go to London (visiting family) so this is perfect. From reading some of the other posts on this forum it is clear that most members are enthusiastic, adept mechanics who love nothing more than diving under the bonnet! As for me, I am not confident enough that I'd be able to do a complete engine swap, not right now anyway. I used to own a Mk1 Golf (still do, actually, but hasn't been touched for years - since I've been living in France) with which I used to tinker. So, what I am after is a daily runner that I can maintain myself. And the Mk1 Escort is just too good looking to be ignored.... I have googled the 3 places that you have mentioned, and all 3 look highly suitable. Thanks again.
OSF Contributor Mexican Gerbil Posted March 7, 2017 OSF Contributor Report Posted March 7, 2017 What engine do you have in mind? I have a basic 1600 crossflow, nothing fancy but plenty of power to keep up with modern cars. If you haven't got a car yet maybe look for one that has a decent engine already.
NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Posted March 7, 2017 Hello Gerbil, There is one for sale not far from me (only 4 hrs away!) which is a 1972 1.1l , 90000km for €4000. Body looks in good condition from what I can tell from the pics. It's been on sale for a couple of months at least, so I can probably knock the price down a bit. What would you call a decent engine? For my part, I'd like something that could do 0-60 in about 10secs. Would prefer an engine with minimum electrics/computer wizardry involved. I was going to ask the garages mentioned about for their advice. Of course, it all depends on price...
OSF Contributor Mexican Gerbil Posted March 7, 2017 OSF Contributor Report Posted March 7, 2017 Not sure what mine does, not driven it like that ..... yet
Moderator Rally Pack 2000 Posted March 7, 2017 Moderator Report Posted March 7, 2017 Hello Gerbil, There is one for sale not far from me (only 4 hrs away!) which is a 1972 1.1l , 90000km for €4000. Body looks in good condition from what I can tell from the pics. It's been on sale for a couple of months at least, so I can probably knock the price down a bit. What would you call a decent engine? For my part, I'd like something that could do 0-60 in about 10secs. Would prefer an engine with minimum electrics/computer wizardry involved. I was going to ask the garages mentioned about for their advice. Of course, it all depends on price... In a Mk1 you only need about 100bhp to achieve that. Very easy with a 1600 Kent engine with mild upgrades and you probably wont even need to go twin carb which will be better for an every day.
NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Posted March 7, 2017 Hello again. The first 2 that you suggest sounds like what I'm after. I'm looking for something super reliable (even in the winter - which can be harsh around this part of France), and ideally fairly straightforward to maintain. Also, availability of the engine itself, and spares thereafter.
NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Posted March 7, 2017 In a Mk1 you only need about 100bhp to achieve that. Very easy with a 1600 Kent engine with mild upgrades and you probably wont even need to go twin carb which will be better for an every day. Yes, 100bhp sounds like the ball-park I'm after. However, what mild upgrades would you suggest? Thanks.
OSF Contributor Mexican Gerbil Posted March 7, 2017 OSF Contributor Report Posted March 7, 2017 I'd go 1600 crossflow then.
NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Posted March 7, 2017 I'd go 1600 crossflow then. You think it's better than the 2litre Pinto for my needs?
Moderator Rally Pack 2000 Posted March 7, 2017 Moderator Report Posted March 7, 2017 Yes, 100bhp sounds like the ball-park I'm after. However, what mild upgrades would you suggest? Thanks. Well a standard Mexico with a 1600 GT engine gets to 60mph in approx ten and a half seconds with 86bhp. It shouldnt require all that much to get you that extra half a second to get you over the line. I would do it progressively and start with a standard GT engine and add a big bore exhaust manifold and decent exhaust. It wont get you to 100bhp but Im pretty sure that will brake the ten second barrier. Pop it on a dyno and have it perfectly jetted with the small Webber it has as standard and it should achieve your expectations. If you still find it has a power deficit then you could start looking at mild cams and a slightly bigger Webber. You think it's better than the 2litre Pinto for my needs? Given you have been pretty reasonable about your performance expectations I dont think you need to go to a Pinto in this instance. Sure it will get you under your ten second goal with no engine modifications the extra car modifications that will be required far outweigh its slight power benefits. You will be removing a Kent engine so its so much easier to stick with another Kent just with a larger capacity like a 1600 GT. Exhausts and the likes will all stay the same side so no need to be swapping any lines or boosters. Kent engines weigh less so it has added benefits of weight distribution and easier access when working on it.
NoshBosun Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Posted March 7, 2017 Well a standard Mexico with a 1600 GT engine gets to 60mph in approx ten and a half seconds with 86bhp. It shouldnt require all that much to get you that extra half a second to get you over the line. I would do it progressively and start with a standard GT engine and add a big bore exhaust manifold and decent exhaust. It wont get you to 100bhp but Im pretty sure that will brake the ten second barrier. Pop it on a dyno and have it perfectly jetted with the small Webber it has as standard and it should achieve your expectations. If you still find it has a power deficit then you could start looking at mild cams and a slightly bigger Webber. Given you have been pretty reasonable about your performance expectations I dont think you need to go to a Pinto in this instance. Sure it will get you under your ten second goal with no engine modifications the extra car modifications that will be required far outweigh its slight power benefits. You will be removing a Kent engine so its so much easier to stick with another Kent just with a larger capacity like a 1600 GT. Exhausts and the likes will all stay the same side so no need to be swapping any lines or boosters. Kent engines weigh less so it has added benefits of weight distribution and easier access when working on it. Thanks for all that info - it's exactly what I needed. Now I'll have a chat with those contacts mentioned above and see what they say in terms of feasibility, availability, and pricing. Thanks again.
OSF Contributor Mexican Gerbil Posted March 7, 2017 OSF Contributor Report Posted March 7, 2017 Also if you plan on high speed running like motor ways I'd strongly recommend a 5 speed gear box conversion.
NoshBosun Posted March 8, 2017 Author Report Posted March 8, 2017 Also if you plan on high speed running like motor ways I'd strongly recommend a 5 speed gear box conversion. Yes, there would definitely be motorways.... In fact I often drive from my place (near the Swiss border) to London, about 500miles each way, so it would need to easily cope with a full day of motorways. Do you think this would be an issue?
Admin Vista Posted March 8, 2017 Admin Report Posted March 8, 2017 I think it would be very tiring. There are few creature comforts in a mk1 Escort and they aren't exactly quiet at motorway speeds.
NoshBosun Posted March 8, 2017 Author Report Posted March 8, 2017 I think it would be very tiring. There are few creature comforts in a mk1 Escort and they aren't exactly quiet at motorway speeds. It's true that I have driven more comfortable/quieter cars than my mk1 Golf! ... But the Escort is just too tempting... There must be ways (interior modifications) that can be done to make the car feel less like sitting inside a bucket! Are there ways to make them more sound-insulated, for example?
ianbavs Posted March 8, 2017 Report Posted March 8, 2017 Just put sound proof mat dynamat everywhere and a loud stereo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
NoshBosun Posted March 8, 2017 Author Report Posted March 8, 2017 Just put sound proof mat dynamat everywhere and a loud stereo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Problem sorted. Cheers mate!
OSF Contributor Mexican Gerbil Posted March 8, 2017 OSF Contributor Report Posted March 8, 2017 And some quiet road tyres will help.
Moderator Rally Pack 2000 Posted March 8, 2017 Moderator Report Posted March 8, 2017 And some quiet road tyres will help. And a diff ratio of at least 3.77. My guess is its a 4.1 which wont make it the best of cruisers.
NoshBosun Posted March 8, 2017 Author Report Posted March 8, 2017 And a diff ratio of at least 3.77. My guess is its a 4.1 which wont make it the best of cruisers. The vast majority of the time I'll be using it just to drive around town. I only do the France-London trip every 3or4 months, and not much more motorway driving the rest of the time. So, mainly town, with a few loooong motorway journeys chucked in. What concerns me more however is winter starting as it can get quite cold around here in Jan-March. Do you think this might be a problem?
Moderator Rally Pack 2000 Posted March 8, 2017 Moderator Report Posted March 8, 2017 Im probably not the best person to ask about cold winter starts.
OSF Contributor Mexican Gerbil Posted March 8, 2017 OSF Contributor Report Posted March 8, 2017 I drove my last one over winter 2-4 years ago. Was fine but south west England winters arnt to bad. Mine was garaged so kept frost away. The biggest killer was salty roads. Caused corrosion issues ( well made it worse ). Under seal and wax oil every year and it will keep it at bay for a while. Longest trip I've done was 350 miles from Plymouth to Lake District. Did the lakes tour and 350 miles back home. It wasn't too bad. If the car is kept in good order should be fine. Some people fit electric fans but I've never had a problem with over heating. Fuel consumption will be higher than a modern car. Think I've got a 3.89 diff. If you keep the car sensible like standard exhaust the noise shouldn't be too bad. You've got quite the shopping list already. Engine 5 speed box Sound proofing.... You might want to update the brakes from drums to discs in the front also.
Admin Vista Posted March 8, 2017 Admin Report Posted March 8, 2017 Honestly? I would use and enjoy it locally and either hire a car, fly or catch the train to London. Would you actually need a car in London anyway? You'd be taking a huge risk leaving it parked on the street anywhere in London as they are extremely attractive to thieves over here now.
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