MK2 Escort LS1 in orange!
Discussion
First problem! Well apart from the usual set-up detailing. Only really given it the full beans twice now only to find a trail of smoke behind! This was traced to the gear box oil leaking from the gear linkage at the back of the box then dripping on to the hot exhaust. Stripped the lever to find that they should be a rubber gasket in there after taking advice from one of the HSV boys. Luckily for me I had a spare box in stock that has the gasket fitted! 
Arches are standard alloy tarmac (wide)fitted with counter sunk head rivets then blended in. If you look closely the front ones are actually are swapped from right to left as they fitted better that way due to the fact that I have moved the front axle forward 40mm! Rear axle is further back too!
I know what you mean - I remember when designing the prop shaft there is some dos and do nots in arranging the UJs. The MK1 version was the 2 welded up in line. I did this with one in a bucket of water and the other wrapped in a wet cloth - not ideal and I did see some play after a few miles hence the MK2 version in the picture which does not allow the two to line up as they are connected via a piece of hex bar. it does feel good now - only thing is it we have all now got used to power steering!
Cheers Finlay
Great to see you have yours fixed. I have had a few problems of my own - none as major as your off!
One has been the front brakes which would not bleed properly. Then I noticed that they had twisted the 12mm ally brackets that I had made! So now on M16 calipers with standard dia vented discs which are only temp as have on order 310mm discs and bells with superlite calipers. Changed the ignition mapping tonight and have loads more low down power. Springs changed all round and different rear dampers fitted so feel much better. All I need now is a trackday - oh and maybe a gripper diff!
Great to see you have yours fixed. I have had a few problems of my own - none as major as your off!
One has been the front brakes which would not bleed properly. Then I noticed that they had twisted the 12mm ally brackets that I had made! So now on M16 calipers with standard dia vented discs which are only temp as have on order 310mm discs and bells with superlite calipers. Changed the ignition mapping tonight and have loads more low down power. Springs changed all round and different rear dampers fitted so feel much better. All I need now is a trackday - oh and maybe a gripper diff!
Hi Finlay
I had mine on a weight bridge which has an accuracy of +/- 40kg and it did not have an up to date calibration. Anyway it came out at 1080kg with fuel and tools! So guessing about the same. I would think my shell will be heavier as it full forest spec i.e. skid plates and stonger floors etc.
My front brakes have cost me over a grand and I guess a gripper will cost about the same once fitted! Bet you dare not add up the total cost of your project. The only labour I have paid for was the paint and alloy welding and I am sure I am well over the 20k mark!
I had mine on a weight bridge which has an accuracy of +/- 40kg and it did not have an up to date calibration. Anyway it came out at 1080kg with fuel and tools! So guessing about the same. I would think my shell will be heavier as it full forest spec i.e. skid plates and stonger floors etc.
My front brakes have cost me over a grand and I guess a gripper will cost about the same once fitted! Bet you dare not add up the total cost of your project. The only labour I have paid for was the paint and alloy welding and I am sure I am well over the 20k mark!
Hi Finlay
I am sticking with 15 inch wheels as I want the full retro group 4 look. I am using zero offset 8 inches at the mo with 205 toyos which seem to work OK. Yes you can spin them up no problem but we were expecting that! I am only using mine in the dry at the moment so guess it is a total nightmare in the wet. I think I may go to 9inch on the back with an inch offset as any wider and I will be catching the body at the rear. 8 are Ok up front and do not catch with full lock. May go to wider rubber on the back maybe 225 888. I also need to sort trackday wheels and rubber too. I have plenty in stock but no 8 or 9 inch wheels that are not black!
Spring rates are 600lbs on the front and 400lbs on the rear! What are you running?
I am sticking with 15 inch wheels as I want the full retro group 4 look. I am using zero offset 8 inches at the mo with 205 toyos which seem to work OK. Yes you can spin them up no problem but we were expecting that! I am only using mine in the dry at the moment so guess it is a total nightmare in the wet. I think I may go to 9inch on the back with an inch offset as any wider and I will be catching the body at the rear. 8 are Ok up front and do not catch with full lock. May go to wider rubber on the back maybe 225 888. I also need to sort trackday wheels and rubber too. I have plenty in stock but no 8 or 9 inch wheels that are not black!
Spring rates are 600lbs on the front and 400lbs on the rear! What are you running?
I have been putting this off for a while now but I must fit some vents in the bonnet. It seems to run OK at the moment on the road but need to get some track work in and guessing it may get a tad hot! As it is the bonnet is getting very warm and the air under there has nowhere to go.
Opinions please on the Manta 400 look before I break out the jig saw.
Opinions please on the Manta 400 look before I break out the jig saw.
Hi Araf
My problem is that once I pull up at home after a run the fan will cut in but not cut out again as if the build up of heat is too much for the fan to handle. It will cut in and out when started from cold and allowed to idle to normal then high temp. Also modern cars allow the air flow to escape from the back of the bonnet over the screen - the escort just traps the air in - I think!
My problem is that once I pull up at home after a run the fan will cut in but not cut out again as if the build up of heat is too much for the fan to handle. It will cut in and out when started from cold and allowed to idle to normal then high temp. Also modern cars allow the air flow to escape from the back of the bonnet over the screen - the escort just traps the air in - I think!
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