Right, a very quick explanation...

building a book haynes roadster (or as close as I can get to the book spec to make my life easier)... Been planning on using a pinto as in the book, and once the car is built, eventually swapping to zetec later on. In the process of building, I was going to put all the neccesary bits in place to make the transition easier - fuel return line for when using efi on the zetec, even thoug the pinto will be using carbs to start....

Someone pointed out this 1.8 zetec engine from an escort ... it was my birthday 2 weeks ago and I had a little bit of money burning a hole in my pocket. I've done the typical thing and followed my heart instead of my head. Not done any reading or research as to whether this zetec will be suitable for a swap later on, but for £26, I don't mind if it just ends up as a learning exercise.

First off, could anyone point me in the direction of a zetec spec history? Info on the various part numbers and variations as the engine developed over the years etc...

Second, are there any decent guides for stripping/rebuilding one of these? My mechanical background: I'm a whizz with computers and fairly competent when it comes to problem solving, but have quite limited knowledge of modern engines etc... Unfortunately, I'm from the younger generation of petrol heads where ECU's and computers rule the roost, and any minor changes to an engine setup could mean major problems. As a result, I've only ever messed around with induction kits and 'cat back exhausts' etc, never done any mega mechanical work or engine rebuilds before, so building the roadster is as much a learning exercise as it is about having a nice sportscar at the end of the build. All advice/info/guides etc are more than welcome at this point because I'm keen to start messing with the engine side of things asap...

3, the listing says it comes with a gearbox but as someone has pointed out in another thread on here, there is no sump. If anyone can point out a spec history as per point 1 above, how tricky would it be to find a sump to fit?

Feel free to slate me for jumping in head first without doing any research there was an hour or so left on the auction and I'm workin in london this week so pick up isn't a problem. As I've already said, advice/info/guides/books etc for dismantling and rebuilding one of these, is MORE THAN welcome since I want to start learning asap

some good info on the burton web site,
burton power zetec specs
as for gearbox i expect it will be the front wheel drive escort box so of no use, but just make sure you get all the ancilleries as notice things like crank case breather is missing and if you later have to buy these makes the bargin you have got not so good. also on the burton web site you can check engine age from the engine number which will help woth what you need, if with sump off the engine looks sound wether a full strip down is worth the money is your gamble. also ask why sump not with it, it may just be as simple as he sold it separatly as if it is the early one piece sump they fetch a bit as required for fitting 2litres zetecs in to a fiesta

[Edited on 18/1/09 by will121]

quality matey, exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for £3 on ebay for a hayne escort manual (1990 to 2000) which covers this engine

Cheers

No one will slate ya, its dirt cheap. Looked at it earlier and it said 'comes with all ancillarys' so if there's no sump ask him why.. coil pack would be good as well and make sure the VR sensor is present.

Have a look through my blog, I used a 1.8 in my build do you may get some sense there. or not....

Check this page out...

Toyne

Just type RWD Zetec into google and theres tons there to look at.

Steve

For £26 you're not going to go far wrong even if the engine is sh*gged are you Tbh the zetec is one of those engines that's cheap as chips if it works but the minute you start taking it apart things start getting quite expensive quite quickly - I'd pop the head and sump off and see what it looks like, if everything looks ok I'd just get a new head gasket and sling it in the car and hope for the best, if it's really broken it'll come in very handy for dummy block purposes during the build but I wouldn't bother trying to rebuild it when you can buy brand new ones for £700!

excellent info guys and thanks for the tips I have emailed the seller asking him to give me a call so we can arrange collection, and also asking where the sump is since it's listed as having all anciliaries and gearbox ...

I'll check your blog coozer and thanks for the tip beddows You said that things start getting expensive when they're pulled apart with the zetecs, is there a particular reason for that?

And yes, for £26 quid I really don't mind if it turns out to be a complete piece of crap, I'll just be happy to get my hands on a bit of engine I can play with and more importantly, learn

Hiya - how can you go wrong for £26??

For loadsa Zetec related info, check out this site :-

http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/stepbystep.shtml

If you u2u me your email I can save you that £3, I've a pdf manual which covers your engine......

Total bargain if you ask me - even if it ends up being a coffe table! I've come across a couple of websites dedicated to tuning that engine in the Escort recently, so when I'm on my other laptop I'll post them. Standard 2.0l cams are a good start. Presumably your water pump spins the right way as well, so no need for a mod there?

the sump would have fetched that on its own. Hence I bet he flogged it.

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Originally posted by big_wasa
the sump would have fetched that on its own. Hence I bet he flogged it.

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Originally posted by contaminated
Total bargain if you ask me - even if it ends up being a coffee table! I've come across a couple of websites dedicated to tuning that engine in the Escort recently, so when I'm on my other laptop I'll post them. Standard 2.0l cams are a good start. Presumably your water pump spins the right way as well, so no need for a mod there?

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Don't forget, the 1.8 CVH sump fits, is steel and can be chopped no problem.

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oh and thanks to everyone for all the tips & links so far - VERY VERY helpful bookmarked them all, finishing all my chores and then going to bed with the laptop for a good reading sesh since the missus is at her rents and I'm working away for the next two nights after tonight = zetec bedtime stories

You amy find this site useful as well
http://www.zetec-cat.co.uk/

excellent advice & websites from everyone especially zetec-cat.co.uk and zetec inside... is paul from zetec-cat a member on here by any chance?

Looking forward to picking up the engine and identifying exactly which unit I've got now then I can assess what needs doing and which bits are missing.


One last thing I forgot to ask - I'm planning on bringing the engine home in the back of my 55 plate mondeo - would it be more than a 2 man job lifting the engine and gear box into the back of my car? I'm not 100% on how much the engine will weigh and how this will influence the loading and unloading side of things

Also, I'm planning on propping it up with packing so it sits on the bottom of the block (since it doesn't appear to have a sump). Is there any chance of nackering anything if I do this?

Carried a crossflow and gearbox in back of my Mondeo. Doesn't do much for the handling on fast roundabouts and watch for speed bumps. Should manage to lift it with two people ok. Putting back seat down and sliding engine as far forward as possible should help handling.

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Originally posted by paul the 6th
is paul from zetec-cat a member on here by any chance?

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It'll be a two man job to lift it - you can just about manage a crossflow on your own but not a zetec (unless you enter Britains strongest man as a sideline ) I'd lay it down if I were you - less to fall over and as mentioned take it easy as it will make the front end a bit light

Tiger had a couple of short alloy sumps going cheap, used I think. Have a look at their website.

The listing says "...and all other ancilleries" so i would be after the sump if i where you.
- Ask why it was removed in the photo, but expect it to be back on or available apon collection.



Daniel

Did you mention how old the engine is? You really want a earlier one if you are going to try for a cat free SVA test, not sure what the rules are for the new test.

I would fit the engine in the car before taking the head off. Have a quick check of the one of the big end bearings, if all OK replace it using new stretch bolts. Get the engine in the car as I always say the best way to check an engines condition is to hear it running and then check using a compression tester. It is very easy to cause problems by taking it apart when it might be all OK, and even if you decide to strip the head off it is just as easy to do it in the car than on a bench. Also as said dont get too into a rebuild as there are plenty of cheap engines in perfect working order for less than the cost of a gasket set. I have just checked a 125,000 engine and found there to be almost no wear on the bearings or bores, I did fined the valves need regrind but suspect they still seated OK. The tricky part for most people with modern engines is the ECU/fueling, the moving parts are mostly very reliable.

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Originally posted by paul the 6th
excellent advice & websites from everyone especially zetec-cat.co.uk and zetec inside... is paul from zetec-cat a member on here by any chance?

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heyup guys, it does come with the sump - however they accidentally dropped the engine and cracked it when removing from the escort.

He said they were planning on dropping it into a mk1 fiesta and tuning it up, but then decided to sack the idea because they couldn't be bothered with all the work to make it fit. It was "running sweet as" when they pulled it from the car, so it must be in decent nick

just a bit peeved at not being able to squeeze it in the van while I'm working down here but never mind eh. 8 hour roadtrip for me at the weekend. Should be able to manage the 480miles on one tank full (so 26 quid for engine and £50 for fuel aint that bad).

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Originally posted by D Beddows
...when you can buy brand new ones for £700!

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Here from what used to be robin hood IIRC
Spanking new zetec

Nice, is that the same ones they have in the mondeo? I guess the gearbox isn't too hard to come by

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Originally posted by skodaman
Carried a crossflow and gearbox in back of my Mondeo. Doesn't do much for the handling on fast roundabouts and watch for speed bumps. Should manage to lift it with two people ok. Putting back seat down and sliding engine as far forward as possible should help handling.

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Are you a licencesed grave robber lol - this thread is dead and buried