Engine conversion question

[Kmp]

Hi all,

I have a 1600 sport engine and box in my mk2 escort, I am fitting a pinto with type 9 into, I see that you have to cut the tunnel out to take the gearstick position. What centre consoles have you used for this? I have the one from the 1600 sport but I am guessing this won’t work. Do I have to get a mk2 rs2000 one? The whole in the carpet is going to be in the wrong place so will need covering up worn something, what have you all used? Can you send me pictures?


thanks
kris

[alladdin]

its really not that far, a large leather effect gaiter would probably cover it ? or space console back ?

[djaminhi]

IIRC
You don't have to cut the tunnel, RS2000 mounts and spacers on the gearbox, as well as shortening the gear lever shaft does the trick......

[Kmp]

Ok thanks for the replies, I will look into the gearbox shortening as I would prefer that option rather than cutting the tunnel. I don’t mean cutting it to fit the engine in, i am talking about the gearstick hole which I believe has to be moved 90mm?
Thanks
Kris

[djaminhi]

http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6...3016197510.gif

This was my gearbox
found the pic from an older thread

This allowed me to maintain original hole and bracing on tunnel.

[wildo105e]

Either way works but one is just easier to achieve if you can cut and weld. I think MKF engineering can do the shortening of the gear linkage.

To move the hole you literally cut out a rectangle with the gearstick hole at one end spin it round and weld back in.

[Kmp]

I have spoken to a local engineer and he is a bit worried about the welding of the box, after reading up a few threads online lots of people have done it, so hopefully should be alright. One person said about buying some accitone, where can I buy that from?

Also I am a little worried about how you cut off the linkage hole, so I don’t cut too much off or cut in the wrong place, have any of you got any close up pics of what you have done or mearsurements?

Thanks
Kris

[GavinR]

Hi Kris,

Here are some pics from a 5 speed conversion I did on a friend's original 1600 Mk2 a few years ago
He wanted it to stay looking original so I cut and shut the tailhousing and also made up some box section to mount the 5 speed on the original 4 speed mounts, so it could always go back to standard and there would be no evidence of the 5 speed conversion

1. Removed the tailhousing



2. Made a jig to ensure the gearstick mount remained at the correct height



3. Detail of the jig bolted to the standard tailhousing



4. Tailhousing after careful cutting with a hacksaw - the black circle marks where more filing was required to make the gearstick mount fit correctly in the new position



5. Bolted in new position - I took the tailhousing like this to a local engineering firm in Bristol. They charged £75 to Tig weld the mount in the new position



6. After welding - as it's out of sight, I asked them to make it strong rather than pretty!
Obviously the shift rod has to be shortened by exactly the same distance as the gearstick mount is moved, and a new hole drilled at the correct angle to fit the rear shift rod section with the roll pin. I found it made more sense to drill the new hole before shortening the rod.



7. Lines up perfectly with the original hole in the tunnel



8. I also cut and shut a standard 5 speed gearstick by removing the rubber section and sleeving (and welding) the joint at the same angle as the 4 speed gearstick



If you want to go down this route, I'm happy to lend you the jig, or I could do the same modification to your gearbox?
I'll be driving past Burnham on Sea on the morning of Friday 20th April, returning from an initial meeting with the FC at Cockercombe about this year's Exmoor Rally...

Thanks

[Kmp]

Hi Gavin, I Thought I recognise your name and looking at your pictures on your signature it confirmed it! Congratulations on winning the bath targa night rally, it looked like a great event.

http://www.bathmotorclub.co.uk/festival/

Me and Natalie are on the committee for Burnham Motor club and organise/do lots of marshalling events for the club, I will PM you about the gearbox - thank you for all the pictures, it is exactly what I was after.

Thanks
Kris

[Daddio]

Hi Gavin

Merry Christmas. Do you recall the amount/dimension the housing was shortened by? I'm psyching myself up to have a go.

Cheers

Andy

[pta]

Could it be like this: "The holes are drilled to move the gear lever 76mm / 3" forwards, so the hole in the selector shaft needs to be redrilled 76mm further forwards then the end can be cut off at a suitable point (this doesn't have to be as accurate)"

[GavinR]

Could it be like this: "The holes are drilled to move the gear lever 76mm / 3" forwards, so the hole in the selector shaft needs to be redrilled 76mm further forwards then the end can be cut off at a suitable point (this doesn't have to be as accurate)"

Yes, I'd replied to Andy on another thread and I've leant him the jig so he can modify his own gearbox