Recommended Xflow information resources?

[simonpa]

As well as the Vixen, I have a second car with a Ford xflow.

The Vixen has a standard 1600GT.
Escort has similar, but a bit upgraded.

I'd like to sort the Escort one and possibly pep up the Vixen (when it's back on the road), but haven't found a good resource, other than forums which ask specific questions.

Any recommendations?

Cheers - Simon

[Astacus]

I have found Peter and Valerie Wallage's Book very useful. Comes up quite frequently on Ebay and you don't need a perfect copy for use in the Garage!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebuilding-Tuning-Fords-C...

I also used the Haynes Manual of the Cortina, which has some good chapters on rebuilding the various versions of the engine

and the Burton Power Website. There are also a few sites on the web for more specialist information on block types etc

[simonpa]

Smashing - will look out for one, thanks!

In the meantime, would you know how to tell if I am running standard 1600 pistons, or uprated ones?

Bores are 83.25mm and pistons are pocketed. Head is flat.
The previous owner said this was a 1760 lump, but from what I have read, the 711M block can only go to 1700?

Head is off, but I am still to pull the block out.

Cheers - Simon

[Moto]

simonpa said:

Smashing - will look out for one, thanks!

In the meantime, would you know how to tell if I am running standard 1600 pistons, or uprated ones?

Bores are 83.25mm and pistons are pocketed. Head is flat.
The previous owner said this was a 1760 lump, but from what I have read, the 711M block can only go to 1700?

Head is off, but I am still to pull the block out.

Cheers - Simon

Simon,

A common piston size is 83.5mm which gives 1700cc. I haven't heard of a 83.25mm. My Vixen has a 711M block with 85mm pistons which gives 1760cc. This was done on the 1980's and has never given any problems - no oil or water leaks. However I think you'll find that tolerances of the block castings were not very consistent, 85mm may be fine in one 711M block but not another. The 711M block did have thicker walls than earlier crossflow blocks but AX blocks had even thicker walls and have been taken out to 2000cc I believe.

There are lots of other common size pistons used in tuned crossflows including 84mm which gives you 1720cc.

Moto

[plasticpig72]

Imho it's best standard with one weber. I had a TVR 1600M which had been increased to 1700cc, Twin webers, Piper 285 camshaft. It was not nice to drive.
I replaced the camshaft with a new Burton camohvgt and fitted one weber downdraught as original. It was very nice to drive after. The fact that the engine had been fully balanced and a duplex timing chain fitted, made it smooth and very solid.
It's your car and a personal choice
Alan

[Andrew Gray]

plasticpig72 said:

Imho it's best standard with one weber. I had a TVR 1600M which had been increased to 1700cc, Twin webers, Piper 285 camshaft. It was not nice to drive.
I replaced the camshaft with a new Burton camohvgt and fitted one weber downdraught as original. It was very nice to drive after. The fact that the engine had been fully balanced and a duplex timing chain fitted, made it smooth and very solid.
It's your car and a personal choice
Alan

Alan
Its very much how you set up my Vixen is probably the nicest to drive of all three of my cars 1700 with twin 40s so cant agree there



Andrew

[plasticpig72]

I see what you mean Andrew, it depends what you use the car for.
Here in France we also have the problem of Type approval and if things are modded they are not Legal.
That is one big advantage in England it seems more flexible. I count myself as being lucky to have also a Lotus Elan Sprint for a blat now and then.
I sold my 1975 1600M to a French guy who lives in Nantes and he is sooo pleased to discover the TVR World.
Sorry to go off subject boys
Alan

[Moto]

Andrew Gray said:

Alan
Its very much how you set up my Vixen is probably the nicest to drive of all three of my cars 1700 with twin 40s so cant agree there

Andrew

Likewise, I'm running twin weber 40 dcoe's but with an A2 cam. It's been well set up by a local chap on a rolling road who knows his onions. It's a lovely, responsive engine with strong pull throughout, plenty of low down torque but loves to rev when you want a blast. I often rev to 6,500 although I have gone above this occasionally. When I first got the car I intended to fit a more powerful engine but I have really fallen for the crossflow. It's pushing around 125bhp which is not great compared to many alternatives but it's a joy to drive and fast enough for me - probably 7-8 seconds to 60mph. If you're looking to track yours though, that's another kettle of pheasants!

Moto

[anonymous-user]

This is what you need for a Vixen - absolutely ideal:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282039212514?_trksid=p20...

[Astacus]

I have a heavy modern Golf putting out 140BHP and that goes like stink, so I can only imagine what a fly weight Vixen does on 155BHP!

[simonpa]

Andrew Gray said:

Alan
Its very much how you set up my Vixen is probably the nicest to drive of all three of my cars 1700 with twin 40s so cant agree there



Andrew

Andrew - are those Webbers or Dellortos?

Can I ask what the jets/etc, are?

Cheers - Simon

[simonpa]

V6Pushfit said:

This is what you need for a Vixen - absolutely ideal:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282039212514?_trksid=p20...

I'm not an expert, but I would expect to have at least needed forged pistons and a steel crank to manage the revs for 155BHP?
He makes no mention of anything like this..

[anonymous-user]

simonpa said:

I'm not an expert, but I would expect to have at least needed forged pistons and a steel crank to manage the revs for 155BHP?
He makes no mention of anything like this..

They are as its a Caterham engine uprated, it's a corker for the price.

[Dollyman1850]

An old second hand oil burner complete with cracked block with 55k miles when you can put this in for the same sort of money……..


http://www.kitspares.co.uk/index.php?route=product...

First question I would be asking is why has it been removed if it is so good!!
Heads and guides don't last long on tuned cross flows..
I note the owner us upgrading his car with a more modern fuel injected engine!!

N.

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Friday 20th May 18:46

[Andrew Gray]

simonpa said:

Andrew Gray said:

Alan
Its very much how you set up my Vixen is probably the nicest to drive of all three of my cars 1700 with twin 40s so cant agree there



Andrew

Andrew - are those Webbers or Dellortos?

Can I ask what the jets/etc, are?

Cheers - Simon

Hi Simon
Webbers as for jets I am not sure if Andy put them on the sheet when she was tuned as when it comes to setting my cars up they always go to DB Engineering in Sittingbourne does a great Job you go there with one car and come home with what feels like a different car.
As for fitting other engines in a Classic car yes some people like to do that and create a retro Mod car however others prefer to try and stay pure to the era with some sensible upgrades however each to there own
We have just under 140bhp and everyone that drives her love her
A

[simonpa]

Andrew - agree completely. nothing sounds like a xflow with twin 40s, either!

I wondered about a Zetec, but on top of the reasonabley-priced engine, you need to spend at least the same again on ECU and ancillaries.
Then I'd be wanting to change the 4-speed to a 5-speed, etc., etc...

[simonpa]

OK - I've pulled the engine and the bottom end is fine - forged pistons, crank has unmarked journals/big ends, big cam and duplex chain.
Speaking with the owner before last, the head is a 1300 one and hasn't been ported.

If anyone has a decent head to sell, let me know!

[Andrew Gray]

simonpa said:

Andrew - agree completely. nothing sounds like a xflow with twin 40s, either!

I wondered about a Zetec, but on top of the reasonabley-priced engine, you need to spend at least the same again on ECU and ancillaries.
Then I'd be wanting to change the 4-speed to a 5-speed, etc., etc...

LOL Confession time I do have a 5 speed
She sits all day long at 90mph cruising at 3900 rpm at 45lb oil pressure and never goes over 85 degrees on the gauge not sure if its accurate but has never had an issue.
Have taken her to 115 with 1000rpm before she red lines.
I did one stint where I was over 90 for about 50 miles constantly and the oil pressure started to drop to about 38 so I slowed down to 70 and she was back up to 45 after a few min I will be fitting an oil cooler at some point but its not often you get to do 50 miles without having to slow down
If you do long trips like I do then the 5 speed is fantastic.
Andrew

[Dollyman1850]

simonpa said:

Andrew - agree completely. nothing sounds like a xflow with twin 40s, either!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkRmbXv9wqM

[anonymous-user]

Dollyman1850 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkRmbXv9wqM

Personally I wouldn't divert from a crossflow as it's all part of it. Mines never burned much oil and the heavy breathing is likely to be me anyway. That Caterham is a good engine and the crack is not an issue either he's changing to a modern engine but caterhams don't count! They're oftenworth more with their crossflow still in.
Yes the Zetec is nice, but so are plastic windows but I wouldn't fit them on my place as its a old original. Bit like I feel of a Friday.