Sierra DOHC into Cortina

[richies2.0gl]

I am just about to install the engine from a 2.0 Dohc I4 Sierra (carb) into a Cortina Mk5. It has an MT75 Gearbox with remote type gear linkage.

What I want to know is, to make life easier can you fit a type 9 gearbox onto the I4 engine. That way I wont have to bother messing around with the tunnel too much and can use a 2.0 prop instead of a cut and shut from the 2 cars.

Thank you, Richie

[Pumaracing]

Given that the I4 was a stop gap engine that few people have ever played around with I doubt if many people have a definitive answer but Ford always used the same back flange on 4 pot engines and if the crank has the normal spigot bearing it should be possible with the right flywheel and clutch. You'll just have to take some measurements and see.

[v64paul]

If it's any help, this month's classic ford mag has a feature on a car built by a guy that has the galaxy 16 valve turbo version of the I4 ( i dont know if they are similar, just relating to what the article says ) this conversion was on a mark 3 cortina. Yes, the I4 was a bit unloved but if it was cheap and in good nick, why not? Good luck !

[richies2.0gl]

Thank you for your help. I got the engine out of the Sierra yesterday and did a few measurements. The MT75 on the I4 is the same length from bellhousing to gear lever as a type 9. The clutch cable will fit from the Cortina and the speedo fitment is also on the same side of gearbox and is the same fitment. On that basis I will be sticking with the MT75 and will have to get prop made up (with sliding joint) to fit the car.

I had a discussion today with a friend and he asked why I dont just fit a 2.0 Pinto. My reply was that 2.0 Pintos are now bloody expensive and to get similar power from a Pinto I would have to buy a high lift cam and other tuning bits ect. My engine, box, loom, Electronic Ignition box and prop cost me £150 has done 93k and runs sweet. In comparison to fitting a Pinto it is lighter, more powerful, I get a 5 speed gearbox and electronic ingition.

The only downside is that the fit will take a bit of fabrication (engine mounts, gearbox member)and other alterations to get it in the Cortina. But I think with a few days graft it will be in.

I will check the Classic Ford feature when I buy mag this week.

Richie

[Pumaracing]

You ought to be aware that the I4 engines break their timing chains at 100,000 miles with monotonous regularity and that can wipe most of the engine out. I suggest you change yours while the engine is out of the car.

[BigTaf]

I wouldn't have botherd with that engin as the zetec has a easy over the counter kit to fit to the type 9 but as you got it cheep I'd have a look at fitting a head from the early mk5 rs 2000 to get 150 hp. The one with the bulges in the bonet as I think the block is the same but research this as I'm not 100% on this

[Simon Says]

Just my cents worth but that particular Ford unit is a dog the timing chains and more importantly the fibre idler sprockets and plastic chain guards don't even make 50k the motor is also is prone to oil leaks from the rear of the cylinder head and headgasket failure is not unknown(bottom end is fine though)don't mean to piss on your cornflakes why not go Zetec i also doubt it makes many more H/P than the Pinto anyway as its only a 2 valve unit and certainly not one of Fords all time greats.

[Zad]

Don't you love PH?

"I have an I4 I want to fit in a Cortina"
"Oh you don't want that, scrap it and use <my preferred version> instead"

Please guys, be real. Just once.

[Simon Says]

Zad said:

Don't you love PH?

"I have an I4 I want to fit in a Cortina"
"Oh you don't want that, scrap it and use <my preferred version> instead"

Please guys, be real. Just once.

Fit the motor then but as said already i would certainly fit a chain and guide kit though

Edited by Simon Says on Monday 22 March 21:10

[richies2.0gl]

To be fair I did consider fitting a Zetec but its all down to cost. I would need to source one, then find a decent type 9 box, buy all conversion bits I need (coolant rail, sump, igntion system and then get either bike carbs, twim 40's or find a suitable way of induction. The idea of a Zetec in the Cortina is great, I would love to go down that road but at the minute it is not financially viable for me.

The I4's are cheap as chips. I have ordered a timing chain kit (thank you pumaracing) and will definatley be fitting it before engine goes in. And if it does decide to turn itself inside out I will just buy another engine and drop it in (prob about £75).

I know there is a few issues with this engine but I have had 2 Sierras with this engine one had done 156k and the other (a GT estate) is still running sweet at 120k. I just think that they are an engine that will not tollerate poor servicing and will prove to be a fairly relaible (and cheap!!) upgrade if cared for.

Thank you for all of your views and advice. I appreciate everyones opinion on this post and I am looking forward to getting it slotted in the Cortina over the next few weeks.

[Pumaracing]

To be honest I see absolutely no reason not to use an I4. Other than the timing chain issue which is easily anticipated and cured they are perfectly decent engines. I had a hire car (Sierra) with an injection one in when I was working in France in 1990 and it was quiet and refined albeit hardly exciting.

I do vaguely recall when I looked at their tuning potential many years ago that the 2v engines, for reasons that frankly escape me because I've never seen it done before, used the same pistons with 4 valve cutouts already in them as the 4v ones in the RS2000 but that might be my aged and addled brain playing up. However if so it makes fitting a 16v top end very easy and then there's 150 bhp to play with. Then you also have the 2.3 bottom end with more torque to consider and it could all make a very nice engine.