Hornet
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 posted on 26/5/02 at 08:23 AM |
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Which Doner
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
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 09:16 AM |
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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 
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JohnFol
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 03:49 PM |
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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)
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Hornet
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 03:53 PM |
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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 
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 05:17 PM |
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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.
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john_s
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 05:38 PM |
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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.
--
John Singleton
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Jasper
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 07:54 PM |
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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!)
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ChrisW
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| posted on 26/5/02 at 09:35 PM |
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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
My gaff my rules
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chrisg
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 posted on 26/5/02 at 10:03 PM |
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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
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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JohnFol
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| posted on 27/5/02 at 07:23 AM |
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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 . .
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ChrisW
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| posted on 27/5/02 at 11:18 PM |
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quote:
Chris, are you aiming to, or do you race in the formulae?
No - it'll be purely for road use!
John - from your list - there's no real need to use Mk2 bits if you don't have the car. Sierra/Escort mk3 or 4/Fiesta is suitable..?
Chris
My gaff my rules
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Hornet
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| posted on 28/5/02 at 12:23 PM |
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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
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| posted on 28/5/02 at 04:28 PM |
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quote:
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!!
No one can just tell you which to use as (particularly with this hobby) nothing is fixed. As has been said before it's entirely up to you. You can
(in theory atleast) make just about anything work.
Maybe this'll help:
It's really just a toss up between:
Expense/difficulty of sourcing the escort donor but with the relative ease of build because you can stick to the book.
Or, the cheapness of the Sierra (£50? if you're not after something special) but the complexity of changing chassis designs etc. to suit the
different hardware.
You need to decide which. I went for Sierra as I fancied newer hardware and IRS etc. but there are many disadvantages.
If you are going to mess with the chassis (changing dimensions or IRS or something) then I strongly advise you to get a CAD package (see other threads
about this) and learn to use that. I haven't gone the CAD route but have buggered around with my chassis and regret it about three times a week!
As I said, you can use just about anything- particularly if you're not bothered about being on a 'Q' plate.
Hope that's not just added to your confusion.
James
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Hornet
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| posted on 28/5/02 at 06:41 PM |
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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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ChrisW
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| posted on 28/5/02 at 07:16 PM |
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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
My gaff my rules
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Hornet
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 06:57 AM |
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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
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JohnFol
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 09:25 AM |
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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 . ..
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Hornet
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 11:17 AM |
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Good news,
Got me a rear axle/hubs and steering rack for £65.
Hope that wasn't to dear ??
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ChrisW
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 11:27 AM |
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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
My gaff my rules
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Alan B
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 12:37 PM |
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quote:
Out of interest, i went to Mcsorley site but which of the 3 chassis designs are for a sierra?
I know Jim, and I'm sure he won't mind if answer this one.
The answer (IIRC) is none of them 
Jim is based in Florida where Sierras are non-existant. (OK, we have Merkurs, but they are pretty rare) Jim's different versions are all for live
axle cars, just the frame sizes vary.
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Simon Mc
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 03:02 PM |
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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.
Electronics Require Smoke To Work...
You let the smoke out...
It stops working!
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James
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| posted on 29/5/02 at 03:27 PM |
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quote:
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
I think ChrisW answered all these for me- thanks Chris.
As I said, if you're gonna mess with the chassis then invest in learning CAD. I thought it'd be easy at first, when I learnt that it wasn't it just
forced me to remember/re-learn a load of trigonometry I forgotten- for which I was quite pleased. Then it got really hard and I really regret the
whole not learning CAD thing.
Even if you don't then use it for the Locost you can still earn big money being a CAD designer!
Judging by posts after this it looks like you've got an Escort rear axle by now anyway, which area of the country are you in? Has either of your 2
Sierras got rear disc brakes?
... not that that's a leading question or anything?
Thanks,
James
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punker
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| posted on 11/6/02 at 12:31 PM |
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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?????
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