cheapest solution for duratec water rail

**Davemk1trackcar** · 20-11-2021, 20:03

Have you tried it? would be good to know what the clearance is like.

**wildo105e** · 22-11-2021, 12:46

I looked at that and thought the bulkhead clearance would be too tight. It all depends on som many other factors also. If you have the luxury of mounting your engine where you want etc it may fit (talking from an escort point of view)

**katana** · 22-11-2021, 14:50

Originally Posted by Dazzx10r

Just to update this thread a little, I've just found another option regarding the water rail from Caterham; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174590247602

That's a nice piece of CNC work - one maybe obvious question is where does the thermostat live? They normally reside in the water rail boss but this one appears too slimmed down?

**alladdin** · 22-11-2021, 18:37

is it not a copy of the ranger std fitment ? i remember trig selling some that looked similar

**wildo105e** · 22-11-2021, 19:57

On a duratec the thermostat is near the water pump at the front/side of the engine.👍

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**Durescort** · 23-11-2021, 02:50

Originally Posted by wildo105e

On a duratec the thermostat is near the water pump at the front/side of the engine.

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Have another look at post # 7 and # 35; still the slimmest for max. firewall clearance only 24mm thick..

**SimonD** · 23-11-2021, 13:46

I have been working on a slim fitting water rail that's like the SBD version (Outlet on the Inlet side)

I will have all the parts cut out soon, I can look at making a few more if people are interested?

**Davemk1trackcar** · 23-11-2021, 14:05

Any issues with the water outlet being on the inlet side? Read the SBD blurb and looked like you need extra kit ie heat exchangers, electric water pumps etc didn't really understand it all to be honest.

**SimonD** · 23-11-2021, 15:08

The only issue I think is you will need a Zetec radiator with the inlet and outlet on the same side. Other than that it's the same as all the other options

**wildo105e** · 23-11-2021, 15:26

FYI i ran my duratec only at a standstill but up to full temp fan on etc with a pinto rad. So hot water in the bottom hose and cold out from the top hose and works perfectly fine. The duratec runs opposite to a pinto but i have pretty much a brand new rad so couldn't justify changing it unless i really needed to.

As Simond says you would need both inlet and outlet on the same side for a water rail that runs down the inlet side.

**Durescort** · 31-10-2023, 17:52

Just saw this post, so a very late observation:
Running under either inlet or exhaust ports means that you will have great difficulty purging the air out of the cylinder head, since water flow out of the head is downwards.
It is better to run the water upwards over the ports which will purge out the trapped air, minimising the risk of overheating and possible head corrosion because of the air pockets.
I would avoid any aftermarket water outlets which run under the ports for that reason.
Cheers,
Roger.