I have read the book, built a shed and learned to weld..... but can't find one of these elusive MK1/11 Escorts. Can anybody tell me what other cars I can use with minimal mods to the book plans? or if mods are required, where to source them.

Cheers

Tom

One source would be the older RWD toyotas. The Early 80's carinas corrollas and some celicas had 1600 engines, 5 speed boxes and live rear axles using trailing arms and a panhard rod. Would be an alternative if you came across one in the scrappies.

where are you at midlem

Cheers for replying people.

bsilly, I am in the south of scotland and basically all the escorts in this area met their end in hedges over the last 15 years. I had hoped that the sierra was a possible donor but didn't know just how different the dimentions were to the book plans. Can I use a 2litre pinto lump and running gear and then get hold of an escort steering rack to keep the front end to plan?

you should be able to get an escort rack (reconditioned) from your local motorfactors for about £35 the pinto and box from a sierra will fit as will almost any pedal box with a little modification so that leaves you needing an axle, someone on this site must have an axle god knows i have slung enough of them away in the past
good luck

i seen a mk2 scort other day, no runnig gear at all. body was mint. went to scrappy and watched as grab crane lifted and squashed another mk2. axel was like a banana. bloke said they worth nowt{dickhead}. keep on lookin though. 2l pinto and box wont do any harm

More questions I'm afraid....Do I have to make any changes to the frame design for the 2ltr motor and can I use the sierra's back axle? I know that you have to use the single piece escort prop, can you buy these from any cheap sources?

Thanks again!!

The Sierra doesnt have a back axle as such, it has independant rear suspension. The majority of the mechanical components can utilised, depending on your skill/ingenuity, you can take a few different routes.
The prop isnt a big concern, although if you use Sierra running gear, the Escort one is of no use. Best option is to decide on what to do with your rear suspension, you can worry about the prop at a later date.

Thanks for the advice Stu

Please excuse my stupidity regarding the sierra "back axle", I have been underneath enough of them to know better!!!

I think I will go for the pinto option with a solid rear axle (I have found a source.....joy). Will the escort prop join happily with the sierra box or will a hybrid have to be cunnningly devised?

cheers

suspect you will need to be cunning.

By far the simplest and safest way is to get a prop made.

i got a place called autoprop or recoprop to make me one custom, using all new bits. COst about 150 inc vat.

its a hassle to get the parts otherwise - you need bits from a transit prop, need to weld and hopefully balance up the hacked prop. consider that its doing over 7000 rpm next to you, and imagine how many extra bum holes you might have if it breaks. Buying saves hassle, vibrations, and possible injury.

atb

steve

I am using a Capri axle, it is 2 inches wider than the Escort, but it does have 25mm offset at the pinion so the prop will have a fair angle on it (which I am still a little worried about). I is also much heavier but will be bullet proof.

I couldn't find an Escort either

Mark