Sorry for askin, its probably been asked b4 but I cant find a link.....
I bought the book yesterday, but i am slightly confused???? I intend to build my own chassis from the book and my burning question is..... which doner must i use??? i have seen sierras etc mentioned but is this with a different chassis?
Please help

Welcome to the funny farm,there are 2 main ways ,build your own chassis,not as difficult as it sound if you can weld and have a reasonable workshop setup,use escort mk 1 or 2 mechanicals,cortina mk 3-5 front hubs,or buy a chassis from mk and use a sierra as doner.
the sierra irs setup is quite complicated to do your self but not imposible if your determined.hth

Also depends on if you intend to compete in the 750 MC race formulae. If so, forget Sierra stuff and look for MkII Escorts (and as suggested, Cortina hubs)

Tx for advice...
I really want to build my own chassis though
Only problem.... not many mk 1 or 2 escorts up ere in sunny scotland
Looks like im in for a hard search

if you need cortina front hubs ? which you do, then why not use a cortina as a donor ? i did with no problems.......the choice is yours,
happy building Jon.

Hi.

I'm building my own chassis using the McSorley 7+4 plans and a sierra donor; I've no intentions of racing this chassis.

I've been test fitting parts (engine & diff) to see how things fit. Seems ok so far... suspiciously straightforward that in fact I'm begining to think that this silver lining has a cloud somewhere just waiting to happen!

John.

I'm there with you on this one, got totally confused to Sierra or Escort. Eventually decided it came down to whether I was going to build or buy the chassis. I decided to build, more satisfying and wanted to save the cash for a bike engine, so I therefore went for the simpler option of the book chassis. Escorts rare down here too, but Cortinas are more plentiful (£30!), and as I only need the axle, prop, hubs, pedals, it doesn't make any difference if u use a Cortina. And apparently the slighly wide rear Cortina axel fills out the rear arches better too (very long way from finding this out yet though!)

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the only things you must have from the mk2 Escort is the back axle and the steering rack (although the Capri axle and Sierra rack *can* be used - read other posts for info) After that you're fairly free to use any donor. I didn't buy a mk2, I just removed the two bits from one in a scrappy and although I paid more for them at least I didn't have the bother of finding a car, getting it to my place, getting rid of the shell etc.

My running gear (so far) is:
Mk2 Escort axle
Mk2 Escort steering rack
Mk2 Escort prop shaft
Sierra 'box
Sierra front hubs with Dunc's adaptors
Mk4 Escort steering column
Mk4 Escort loom
(coming soon) Mondeo/Escort Zetec engine!!

..which shows mix and match will (probably) work!

BTW I've got a 4.4:1 axle for sale - see the 'for sale' section and I can probably get hold of another rack if required!

Chris

Hey Chris,

What gearbox you using?

MT75? Type 9?

You need the guide at:-

http://www.gibbs111.fsnet.co.uk

>build tips > engine tips > engine gearbox combinations.

Cheers

Chris

P.S.what battery cut off switch are you using? LOL

Chris, are you aiming to, or do you race in the formulae?

I'm having to source some other bits, but with an escort donor you have almost everything. Look at Chris' list and add in
Escort starter motor
Escort alternator
Escort radiator
Escort ignition stuff
possibly . .
Escort heaters
Escort seats
Escort fuel tank . .

quote:

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Chris, are you aiming to, or do you race in the formulae?

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Reet steel arived today, so I'm a startin cutting yeeehaaaa!
Only problem is, after all these comments i still dont know wot to do
1 says this 1 says that aggghhhhhhhhh!!

quote:

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Reet steel arived today, so I'm a startin cutting yeeehaaaa!
Only problem is, after all these comments i still dont know wot to do
1 says this 1 says that aggghhhhhhhhh!!

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James, tx for post.... now SAVE ME
CAD, is that Russian or French, in other words Wot? Where do i get it? Where can i get the sizes of mods for the frame if i go for Sierra Saphire? I have access to 2 at the mo. And lastly, wot is IRS

CAD = Computer Aided Design (eg AutoCAD). Basically, it's software that lets you design stuff on your PC and then print plans.

IRS = Independant Rear Suspension as opposed to the 'book' Locost's live axle. Basically it means that the rear wheels can move up and down on the suspension independant of each other. Advantage is better handling (but less 'arse-out' action ). You'd need rear running gear (diff, hubs, driveshafts) from a Sierra instead of the Escort axle.

Finally, for Sierra mods, check the IRS design at www.mcsorley.net/locost

As I said, I think the (simplest) way to get away with using a Sierra instead of the Escort is to buy a rear axle and rack. The rest should be fairly transferrable. Also, if you buy adaptors (from Dunc, or most Locost supplies sell them) you can use Sierra front hubs and avoid the need to find a Cortina aswell!

Hope that helps!

Chris

thanks Chris
That sounds probably my best option so i will try and go down that route. Out of interest, i went to Mcsorley site but which of the 3 chassis designs are for a sierra?

I promise this is my last stoopid question... emm i think

Chris, the only exact thing I can find from the regs that specify a car is "Steering rack must be from a Ford Escort Mk2".

What would be usefull is to have a beer with someone who is currently racing, because now I re-read things it sounds like I could have used a Cortina rear axle. It's ambiguous which carbs can be used.

Can anyone confirm which cars have "Only a Fomoco (Ford Motor Company) cast iron 1300 X flow cylinder block may be used. AX type blocks are not allowed"
From your comments it's Sierra / Cortina as well as Escort . ..

Good news,

Got me a rear axle/hubs and steering rack for £65.
Hope that wasn't to dear ??

I was (well, still am) offering an axle for £50 and I paid £15 for my rack a few weeks back. Spot on I reckon!

Chris

quote:

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Out of interest, i went to Mcsorley site but which of the 3 chassis designs are for a sierra?

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Im building Mr Mcsorleys 442 chassis, and im using a sierra donor. I'm havnt decided if im going to use the whole trailing arm set up or wish-bones yet, so im building the chassis to plan at the moment, and will modify as and when i have decided.

quote:

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James, tx for post.... now SAVE ME
CAD, is that Russian or French, in other words Wot? Where do i get it? Where can i get the sizes of mods for the frame if i go for Sierra Saphire? I have access to 2 at the mo. And lastly, wot is IRS

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i'm a CAD designer and i don't earn lots of money....Don't know if you could tell me where i can?????