I am investigating a number of donor cars. A Cortina 1.6l mk? has cropped up with a 4 speed g/box. How suitable is this vehicle as a donor and what 5 speed g/box could I fit to it? Will I have to make any changes to the chassis if I opt for Cortina over an escort mk2?

Presumably it's a 1.6 XFlow, in which case the Sierra type 9 or MT75 box will fit fine as long as it's from a 4 cylinder car (the v6 ones are different). Dimensions of the chassis will be the same but the engine will be taller.

Chris

Dear Chris

Thanks for the advice with the engine being taller, what problems can I envisage when it comes to making the bonnet? Am I going to have a protruding air filter, as seen on a number of Locosts?

Cheers Jayce

[Edited on 24/10/03 by Jayce Lane]

There are certainly taller engines in use than the Kent XFlow.

Mine has no bonnet bulge and there is no clearance problems, but uses twin Webers and has a hole in the side instead for the filters.

If you use the 32/36 single weber on top of the engine you do need a hole or bulge.

May be worth using spongy air filters instead of K&N's when it comes to the SVA equivalent over there (if there is one) - one less sharp edge to worry about!

Wasn't the Cortina a 1.6 Pinto? Same applies though 5 speed type 9 fits straight on.

The Pinto is higher than the X-Flow that is book standard, use Leugo Velocity body work and move the Oil filler neck on the cam cover and it should be no problem.

Andrew

I access to a ford cortina 2.0 gl. Am I going to have any problems in fitting this to a lotus, without having to make changes to the chassis and bonnet.

Help in this matter would be great, becuase I can get all the spares, for an absolute steel.

Thanks

Jayce

IIRC then the rear axle may be quite wide, which isnt a terrible problem, just remember to measure it.

i guess that engine would be pinto or was it before that age? either should fit but sumps may have to be shortened, but thats not hard anyway. thats a start, someone else can finish details off!

If you can get it cheap, and spares, then I say go for it. Deal with the engine fitment problems when you get there because the rest of the car is gonna give 95% of the bits you need from a donor anyway.

thanks guys. I really appreciate the help, although I ham not going to get the body, which was scrapped, I will have all the rest. You guys will be interested to know that I am getting all this for about £70's.

Is this a deal or what? I just have to take a pick up to get the vehicle.

cheers

Jayce