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Transit van as donor?
Alex. - 16/6/09 at 08:29 PM

Hi Guys,

I've been offered a transit van as a donor, really cheap, is it feasible?

It is a 1990 G reg mk3 with a 2 litre pinto petrol engine and a live axle rear end. Looks like it should work....

Alex.

blakep82 - 16/6/09 at 08:36 PM

no reason why not! what gearbox has it got? and the ratio of the diff?

it might be geared differently to a sierra or capri for example, but its definitely possible

jpindy3 - 16/6/09 at 08:37 PM

mate you should have a good pinto there,you will need to change the cam and flywheel,
also good if you want to turbo it as it will be low cr

matt_claydon - 16/6/09 at 08:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jpindy3
mate you should have a good pinto there,you will need to change the cam and flywheel,
also good if you want to turbo it as it will be low cr


So not really a very good Pinto then

Mark Allanson - 16/6/09 at 08:47 PM

How much does a transit rear axle weigh?

Alex. - 16/6/09 at 09:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
no reason why not! what gearbox has it got? and the ratio of the diff?


Apparently it has a good gearbox that any ford engine can fit to and take lots of power.
Don't know the ratio of the diff, but the transit tops out at about 80 and that's enough for the road. Should give good acceleration...

quote:
Originally posted by jpindy3
mate you should have a good pinto there,you will need to change the cam and flywheel,
also good if you want to turbo it as it will be low cr


I can understand the cam and compression, but why the flywheel?

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
How much does a transit rear axle weigh?


Not sure on the weight, but it does look spindly under the van. It's also square section, so should be easier to weld...

quote:
Originally posted by matt_claydon
So not really a very good Pinto then


It is if it's free!
Looks like it's a good option, the engine I was going to use may be staying in my daily driver car...

Alex.

paulf - 16/6/09 at 09:20 PM

But if its got twin rear wheels would be good for traction.
Paul

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
How much does a transit rear axle weigh?

Steve G - 16/6/09 at 10:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
How much does a transit rear axle weigh?



It'll help the weight distribution - balance out the big iron lump at the front. Never mind 50:50 weight distribution..... more 100:100

James - 16/6/09 at 11:51 PM

Isn't it going to have a 5 stud wheel pattern at the rear?

What will you fit at the front that will match?

I don't know, but I'd be surprised if the rear axle wasn't a load wider than an Escort or Cortina.

People give Pintos away now, it's hardly worth the hassle I'd have though.

Cheers,
James

speedyxjs - 17/6/09 at 06:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by paulf
But if its got twin rear wheels would be good for traction.
Paul


A 6 wheeled locost!!!
Am i right in thinking that a transit pinto is taller than a sierra pinto? (not sure where i recall that from)

gavin174 - 17/6/09 at 08:10 AM

get the transit for free...

then sell it for spares or repairs probably get £200 and put this towards sierra donor!!!

jollygreengiant - 17/6/09 at 09:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjs
quote:
Originally posted by paulf
But if its got twin rear wheels would be good for traction.
Paul


A 6 wheeled locost!!!
Am i right in thinking that a transit pinto is taller than a sierra pinto? (not sure where i recall that from)


The sum is a lot deeper.

iank - 17/6/09 at 10:49 AM

I was also thinking the axle would be very wide.

Alex. - 17/6/09 at 07:08 PM

Well, I can measure the width of the transit axle, but how wide is an escort axle for comparison?

Alex.

flak monkey - 17/6/09 at 07:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alex.
Well, I can measure the width of the transit axle, but how wide is an escort axle for comparison?

Alex.


54" if memory serves me right?

Its just not worth it. The gearbox is strong but the ratios are odd. The engine is a low compression one (no good for reliable turboing as its only cast pistons) and very low on power.

Save your time and just get a sierra

speedyxjs - 20/6/09 at 07:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alex.
Well, I can measure the width of the transit axle, but how wide is an escort axle for comparison?

Alex.


Cant be much wider than my jag one. The transit and the jag have virtually the same rear track width.

Ninehigh - 24/6/09 at 05:59 PM

I say do it, you can always change the rear axles and hubs can't you?

I suppose it depends how much the transit is