Hello from Kingston

[scalino65]

Hi

Just joined, so "hello!". I live in kingston and I have a 1964 Lotus 7 with a 1500 pre-x flow in it. My aim is to try to build a 1300 crossflow engine  to fit in the Lotus. I've never built an engine before so that seems a sensible and hopefully cheap-ish way to start. If I can build an engine that actually works, I'd then fancy modding the 1300 to make it rev like bggery. 

As far as old skool fords go..I wouldnt say no to a mk2 escort mexico,preferably with  a  cossie engine in it. Trouble is prices of these things nowadays! (or maybe I'm just a tightarse)

Cheers

Will

[Rally Pack 2000]

Welcome to the forum.

Whats steering you towards a 1300 crossflow as opposed to a 1600?

A genuine Mk2 Mexico would be too expensive if your intent was to change it to a Cosworth. A nice two door shell would do as good a job for far less money.

[Vista]

Welcome to OSF ?

These days any two door Escort is a big money proposition and once you've done all you need to do for a good quality Cosworth install, you are in for a nasty shock price wise.

[Xp197777]

Hi would be a bit cheaper to go Zetec route still quick 

[scalino65]

Hello chaps. Thanks for the replies. My thinking about the 1300 xflow is the rear axle in the Lotus. Its a Standard 10 axle which was designed for a car with 35bhp! Its been braced a bit but is definately a weak point on my car and worries me about stuffing a load of torque through it. Also, as the car is only 500kg and is on 4.5 inch wheels it just doesnt need ultimate power to be fun. From what I've read so far, a 1300xflow would rev more happily than the 1600. My aim would be to have a really revvy engine that you have to work hard to keep on cam- I just like cars that feel like that. What I need to do is more research into what bits would achieve that aim. I'm on a budget (aint that always the way?)  and the main thing here is for me to learn something about engine building and have my first crack at building one. 

cheers

Will

 

 

[scalino65]

p.s. Here's a pic of the car and the original  pre-xflow engine that's currently in it.

 

[colr6]

Be cheaper to change the axle for a more capable unit and leave the 1500 in.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Shes a beauty. Given the car I would keep the original engine in it. Always a few tweaks can be had to squeeze a bit more power out of it. A seven will always be fun regardless of power. Originality would win out for me though.

[RWL81P]

cracking engine them 1500 pre xfs. i'd keep that in and tune it up a bit. mk1 cortinas go well with them in so that should be a flying machine.

[scalino65]

Hi. Thanks for the comments.Oh yes, it goes very well as it stands. I reckon its got ideal performance for me as it isnt stupidly fast and you havent got loads of grip so you can really feel everything thats going on. 

I didnt really explain what I want to do very well. I have done various mechanical bits and bobs on cars over the years, but I've never re-built an engine and I really want to have a try at it. So,I figured that the 7 would really be a great "test bed" to do that. So in terms of which engines I could "experiment" with I'm thinking either pre-x or x flow.  Looking around, x flows seem cheaper and more easily available and then I read somewhere that you can really make the 1300s rev and that the bottom end is tough enough to stand it. So that seems an interesting route to think about

I also read about a hybrid of the x flow bottom end with the pre x flow head. I happen to have 2 pre x heads so that might also be an option.

The great thing is that, if I build a second engine for the Lotus, I can swap the ancillaries over between them and save costs. So, I'm aiming to end up in the slightly daft position of having a car with two engines that I can swap over just for a bit of a laugh whenever I fancy a change. If I  can build something that has different characteristics to the 1500 pre-x then so much the better: sort of two cars in one type of deal. and that again makes a bonkers revvy short stroke 1300 appealing.

So,I need to get reading and researching. The starting point seems to be reading Rebuilding and Tuning Ford's Kent Crossflow Engine by Paul wallage but  they seem to sell for about the price of a new engine! Does anyone have any other ideas for info on what can be done with these engines? I was hoping that David Vizard had written a book  but its seems he only did a pinto one.

Cheers

Will

[scalino65]

p/s I know my car obviously isnt an old skool ford, but a fair chunk of it is, including the rocket box so I hope that sort of makes it ok to join up here:)

chers

Will

[Mexican Gerbil]

It’s got the heart and soul of an OSF. 

[Mexican Gerbil]

I rebuilt my 1600 crossflow. Pretty simple (if you know what you are doing) the old Haynes manuals have step by step guides. I had the head converted and cylinders bored out by a professional engine Biulders, apart from that I did it all myself. 

[andrew james]

My anglia had an awesome 1380 x/f  109 bhp at wheels 

[scalino65]

Thanks chaps.

Andrew what was the spec on your 1380 engine? That sounds great fun.