RobMan
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| posted on 1/1/05 at 08:29 PM |
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Which car?
Myself and my brother have decided that it is a good idea to attempt (and hopefully complete) a Locost car in the new year. Neither of us are
exceptional mechanics but we are enthusiastic. Basically after a bit of a scout around we're having trouble finding a decent donor car. Has
anyone any suggestions as to where to look for a markII Escort, or any other appropriate donor? Any help would be appreciated, especially if you were
as inexperienced when you started with your car!
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phelpsa
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| posted on 1/1/05 at 08:32 PM |
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Also look out for a Cortina (3/4/5),
Maybe a sierra with GTS De dion.
Adam
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JoelP
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| posted on 1/1/05 at 08:33 PM |
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hi there. welcome to the forum.
this quesiton comes up often. the search facility only works well for single words, but its worth using.
basically, if you are doing a complete scratch built locost, get a copy of the mcsorley plans and use a sierra donor.
any questions, just ask!
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Dave Ashurst
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| posted on 1/1/05 at 08:47 PM |
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where are you based?
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RobMan
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| posted on 2/1/05 at 02:19 PM |
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In Wrexham, North Wales (the one with the dying football club). Are there better plans than the Champion ones in the book, we really could do with an
idiot proof guide, but don't want to start on a chassis before we know what car we'll be using as a donor
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phelpsa
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| posted on 2/1/05 at 04:04 PM |
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Thats Demon Tweeks area. That means you don't have to pay their horrendous P&P charges.
Adam
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Marcus
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| posted on 2/1/05 at 08:09 PM |
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Hi, and welcome to the list!!
You are in the position myself and Roland were in 5 years ago! Dead keen, some, but not a lot of mechanical skill and a lack of donors!
I found an Escort donor from a guy on this list (remember me Jeff). They are getting rare but they're still out there. Try Practical classics
magazine, they have a section free to good home! last time I looked there were 2 Escorts in.
I it's any encouragement, we have 2 cars on the road now and a few FUN miles under our belts.
Marcus
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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Trev Borg
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| posted on 2/1/05 at 11:13 PM |
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Welcome
you may consider picking a project that someone else has already done the leg work for you.
try one of these
they give you a head start
ebay 1
ebay 2
they are an option, and you could stand a better chance of finishing them.
This suggestion is not to try and knock you back, more to get you going quicker.
These ones on ebay will have been started by people just as keen.
And Good Luck
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
By that time, who cares.
You're a mile away, and you've got his shoes
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 2/1/05 at 11:55 PM |
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If you want a nice simple build, keep to the book as much as possible.
The options are a sierra rear end with the GTS DeDion tube, cheap and a good lightweight system
A Capri axle, which is the ideal width for a book chassis (better than the escort! - waits for derission)
You can use sierra front hubs, but they are very heavy, have dubious geometry, but are very available.
I have sierra engine and box, capri axle and cortina front end, but in hindsight, I would have used the GTS Sierra setup (it was not available when I
started)
If you go the capri route, drop me a line, and I will give you all the info you need to make it as easy as possible.
Good luck with the build, another good tip is to get your main donor parts before you start building the chassis - I didn't and have paid the
price
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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Alfalfameister
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| posted on 3/1/05 at 01:32 AM |
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quote:
Good luck with the build, another good tip is to get your main donor parts before you start building the chassis
Okay... I know what the main donor parts are, but would be grateful if someone can fill in the blanks (i.e., other parts you think are necessary
BEFORE building the chassis)
Engine
Gearbox
Front Uprights
Rear Axle/Differential
Er... what else?
I want to get ALL the major components that need to be trial fitted... (i.e., is the propshaft THAT important to have? I suppose not since that will
be modified to fit the chassis. How about the steering rack? etc.)
Thanks in advance!
P.S. What's the width of Escort axle? Capri axle? (I suppose Sierra would be dependent on how wide you make it -- or whatever the GTS DeDion
tube or homemade DeDion setup is)
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phelpsa
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| posted on 3/1/05 at 01:38 AM |
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Escort is 48" and the Cortina is 52" (I think)
Adam
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RobMan
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| posted on 4/1/05 at 03:48 PM |
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So th general opinion is to use a sierra donor? What engine size would be best, we don't want one so large that we have lots of power but no
traction
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phelpsa
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| posted on 4/1/05 at 04:08 PM |
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2.0 pinto engined (early 2.0l).
Adam
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RobMan
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| posted on 24/2/05 at 01:38 PM |
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Have been scouting around for a bit now, and think that a sierra donor is most likely. Was just wondering what year should it be? Don't want
to end up with a car so complex I can't do anything with it.
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clbarclay
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| posted on 24/2/05 at 02:14 PM |
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My advice on donors is to keep hunting on ebay.
Found my mk2 escort 1300 ghia for £100 of ebay nice and local as well. price is not very locost but cheap for escort and right engine and carb for 750
racing.
For a simple engine any sierra on carbs, wont be to complex, year of sierra shon't be to important.
Word of advice when building car to book keep reading and rereading the book carfully as you build, if not there are some items that can cause
problems. Tubes FU1/2 for a start.
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flak monkey
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| posted on 24/2/05 at 02:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RobMan
Have been scouting around for a bit now, and think that a sierra donor is most likely. Was just wondering what year should it be? Don't want
to end up with a car so complex I can't do anything with it.
As said...welcome to LB...
IIRC the carb pinto was in sierra up to 1989. But the injection model was available from 1985... I believe there are no major issues involved in
changing from injection to carbs (webers). Many will say the injection engine is better for modification (stronger bottom end etc)
From 1989 on the engine was DOHC, which is not so desirable as its not easily tuned etc.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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RobMan
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| posted on 25/2/05 at 01:34 PM |
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Ok, so will look out for a mid 80's Sierra, if anyone knows of one in North Wales.......
Just a quick question, there's a lot o talk about cortina front hubs. What's so good about them and why can't you use the ones from
a sierra
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clbarclay
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| posted on 25/2/05 at 03:15 PM |
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You can use sierra uprights/hubs but they need the bottom tapper modified to use a suitable ball joint (siera ball joints are integral to the lower
suspension) and you need a special addapter to use a ball joint at the top of the upright.
specialist locost companys will modify siera hubs and sell adapters, but by that stage the cost of a cortina upright doesn't seam quite so
bad.
[Edited on 25/2/05 by clbarclay]
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