Hello all,

Looks like I am going 4 a Cortina, however just a couple of quick questions :

1) Are there any downsides to using a 4 speed gearbox, if so can I fit a 5 speed easily enough

2) The Cortina I am looking at probably needs additive to use unleaded, how much does it cost to convert the head to use leaded?

Many thanks, yet again

We are using a 1.6 cortina but to get round u/l we put the head off a 2.0 sierra which has unleaded seats and bigger valves.We,ve been quoted anything from £150-300 for an unleaded conversion but our local head specialist won,t gaurentee his work on a 1.6 becaus the valves are too close and the head might crack.
We are also using the 4spd box which should give better acceleration but loses out on cruising speed and poorer fuel economy.
You pay your money and make your choice,Ray...

paid £110 for a 1600 x-flow head to be converted to lead free. Had it done at the same time as the rebore , so maybe cost a little less ?

Aalso running the 4 speed origional box and the whole thing goes along nicely !!

Not even sure if I'm going to put the side draughts on.

Phil

Sorry for goinf off the subject a bit but as I have some cortina builders here.

Did you use the std book design or did you use the +4 design. I understand the cortina axle is 4" wider than the escort.

If you do use the +4 does this give you problems at the front fitting the cortina steering rack?

Thanks, Again

Also can I take the head straight from a Sierra and put it on the cortina 2.0 block, are the carb/manifold fixings the same or do I need the sierra carbs/exhaust manifold as well

We used the Cortina axle at the back in a book chassis this means we can use more readily available wheels from MK3 escorts and sierras without worrying about the offsets.The front is also per the book with Escort rack.It works for us and gives the car a wider looking rear end without using wide rubber.Look at my photos and it might give you some guidance
I swapped heads no problem but used the gasket to suit the block and all seems well,Manifold studs all line up the same and everything else seems as near as damn it identicle.Astock car racer advised me to do this becaus the bigger valves help a little when using twin carbs

[Edited on 15/11/04 by ray.h.]

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We are using a 1.6 cortina but to get round u/l we put the head off a 2.0 sierra which has unleaded seats and bigger valves

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the head has been skimmed by 0.7 mm but i can,t see this as being a major problem with only a small reduction in in compression.The engine has only been bench run on a twin choke downdraft but it seems to run well but until the car is put on a rolling road i won,t know how much improvement there is in power(if any)