does anyone know if the single piece propshaft from the escort will fit the gearbox from a 2.0l dohc sierra engine?

Thanks, Theo

or is it possible to use the front and rear universal joints of a sierra 2 piece prop with a new piece of tube, will this then fit to an escort rear axle?

Thanks again, Theo

I think if its a 4 speed box, then no, the output splines on the sierra box are bigger than the escort one (learnt this the hard way) as for the prop shaft, its possible if your happy with your welding and can get it balanced. General consensus on here is to get one professionally made.

IMHO thats the best route, nothing like a prop letting loose at 2000 rpm next to you leg. (mind you - who say's professionally made props are bullet proof?)

Chris

the key is the balancing, it been hammered to death before but most home made ones wont be well balanced, which is one cause of failure. Indeed, my mate broke one soon after he made it - at speed on the motorway...

Then again, several members have homemade ones and insist they are just fine for them. Mark A, if you read this, yours was homemade wasnt it? Still working well?

Yes, I made my own, no balance problems at all, I used a totally different method of joining the capri and sierra sections together.

I am a quite experienced welder (they even let me play with the reactor at Hinkley Point nuclear power station!), but if you have any doubts about your abilities, buy a new one.

This is probably the most critical thing to get right in a Locost, get it wrong and the consequences can be a bit spectacular.

Balance is not generally the problem with homemade props, well it is but it is not the main problem.

Most homemade props I have seen have been badly made and are not straight. So are a long way out of balance.

If a prop is made correctly it should require minimal (ie 2pence piece size of weight) or no weight to get it balanced.

If you have a clock and welder and know what you are doing it is possible to build your own props.

John