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Thread: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

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    Bodger

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    "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    For some time, I've been looking for another mk2 escort after selling my Proton road rally car. I was originally looking for a 4 door as I didn't think I could afford a 2 door, however I found a 2 door on eBay a month or so ago. It was through a company called Montescort in Nottingham who specialise in Escorts. It was a South African import in 2010 so its pretty solid. It needs some work on the n/s outer sill, door skins, front panel and n/s front foot well. Paintwork isn't great, but as its a bit untidy I won't be so afraid to use it. I am unsure as to what use, but I want it to last. I think i'll use it for a bit of road rallying/auto solo's etc. I'm unsure as to whether to keep the Xflow or get a Pinto, so would appreciate some advice.

    Spec wise, I'm thinking about the below:

    Bilstein front coilovers
    Bilstein rear dampers (most likely in the std position, not turreted)
    Adjustable TCA's
    Single leaf springs
    Tramp bars
    Quick rack
    English axle with LSD
    RX8 gearbox

    This is the only picture I have as its sat in the garage due to recently getting married.



    It looks tidier in the picture than it actually is. Will be a long term project but will be worth it in the end. If you have any advice, or tips then please let me know. Tempted to put it in a spit to do the welding and seam weld where possible.

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    Racer Decade Plus User mexicotait's Avatar

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Beauty!
    Hexham and District Motorclub

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Been collecting parts for a couple of months now. I have some bilstein front coilovers and bilstein rear dampers, minilite wheels, gr4 big gearbox tunnel, radiator cutout, engine bay gussets, tramp bar kit. Sold the xflow as I am looking for a pinto so this weekend I made some progress.



    Looks pretty solid in the engine bay and under the arches as you can see.











    Battery tray has been bodged but that will come out as it will be going in the boot.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    That shell looks in very good condition and hopefully will require only a minimal amount of welding. Good luck on your build,

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    It looks good underneath, just tatty on the bodywork. As long as it goes and stops, I don't mind too much!

    Can admin move this thread into Restorations and Rebuilds please?

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Bought a Sierra Pinto at the weekend which has a 205 block and looks like a unleaded carb head. It has a 'P' marking which from what I've read means it has hardened valve seats (hopefully someone will confirm this).



    When I drained the oil, it was 'very' creamy which means a mixture between oil and water I took the head off and looks like an issue with the HG between one of the waterways and cylinder 2. The bore has a small amount of rust, which I don't know whether rehoning will suffice or a rebore.



    I checked the bearings and they look like they all need replacing which is fine, however I dont know whether a polish will do on the crank. Or will it need regrinding, any thoughts?



    The only thing I couldn't remove was a breather, any thoughts?



    Ended up with a table full of parts....



    I know I need a head gasket set/seals, big end/main bearings, water pump, timing belt kit. Looking at replacing the cam whilst its all apart, and I'll rebuild the head and lap the valves in. So much for it being a cheap engine!

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Crank looks ok but the only way you'll really be able to tell if it needs a grind is to measure the journals with a mic at various points...checking for ovality as well.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    So, its been an eventful couple of weeks. Managed to get some of the money back for what I paid for the engine which was decent of the guy. Big thank you to Graham for all his advice as I wasnt sure what I was going to do. Once the engine is running, I'm sure I'll be getting him to do some work on the head for me. Time is now a factor as I need to get the engine mounted in the car sooner rather than later. Managed to find a an injection engine relatively close by so picked that up. I have a 32/36 DGAV carb and inlet to go with it. Given the engine a good clean and bought a few bits to freshen it up, cam belt kit, oil pump, gasket set, spray bar etc. The seller told me it was a bit rattly in the top end and it looked like the cam was worn - which it was. However, he gave me a spare head which had a decent standard cam in it. Swapped it over and the followers today so I can get it running. Gave it a bit of a paint as well - needs another coat though.





    Need to give the sump, water pump, cam cover etc a bit of a paint. Then i'll put it back together.

    Picked up a 6 speed RX8 gearbox for £60 last weekend, need to order the plate from Jonathan off here.

    Next thing will be to fit the bigger gearbox tunnel, bulkhead gussets, strut top plates and a bit of seam welding. Then give it a paint and get the engine and gearbox back in.
    Last edited by tom_escort_mk2; 24-01-2016 at 16:17.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    nice build...keep the updates coming...cheers mark

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Gone forwards and backwards.. The engine is nearly built, just need to adjust the valves.





    Started doing some work in the engine bay by welding in the chassis to bulkhead gussets. When I completed those, I moved inside to start work on the bigger gearbox tunnel. The carpet had been stuck down, and then there was this thick "insulation stuff" which again was stuck down. Pulled it up and it was hiding some horrors. Lots of holes, bodged welding and plates riveted over rust.













    Not sure whether to cut it all out or weld up the holes. Also, as I'm fitting weld in seat rails for the bucket seats, can I cut out the seat cross members as they're not needed?

    On another note, I got hold of a Burton BF134 cam kit cheap as well as the RX8 adapter turned up. Once the rust and tunnel is sorted, I can get the engine and box mocked up and mounted. Then I'll take it all out and repaint it all.

    Was disheartening seeing the floor in this condition, but onwards and upwards!

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    Racer Decade Plus User mexicotait's Avatar

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Cut it out
    It will bother you if you don't and you will end up doing it again just like I did
    Do it now and properly and then it will be done for a few years
    Hexham and District Motorclub

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Did some more tidying up in the car so I can see what I'm dealing with. Had to get the heat gun to get the insulation off the floor and the drivers side isn't too bad. Two small areas that need attention. However, the passengers side isn't so good.



    After pulling up all the bodges, and pieces of metal that were fiberglassed over to hide the problem, I found this mess. Ordered some new floor panels which should sort it out. Bit of a shame but its one of those things I guess. Chassis rails are fine which is a relief!

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Found more and more rust, the owners in south Africa liked to hide problems rather than fix! On the plus side, I'm getting lots of welding practice. Nearly there with the repairs, but now installing a roll cage to give some strength to the shell as I've cut a lot out. Managed to buy a few bits at classic ford, so I'm starting to get the bits slowly. Will put some pictures up, it's slow progress as I'm installing a new kitchen at the moment as well.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Hi there just out of curiosity how much did the car set you back when you first got it?

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Car was £4k but I think overpaid after seeing how bad the rust is on the car. It was VERY well hidden under fibreglass and filler. Had a break from the car for a while due to holidays and installing a new kitchen. Hopefully I can get some more progress made over the next few weeks to get some motivation back!

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Keep at it it will be worth it in the end

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Made some progress at the weekend. Seat rails are finished and roll cage plates are welded in so I need to take the cage out to get it and the floor painted.







    Starting work in the engine bay as i have grp4 strut top plates to put in, and the radiator cut out. My plans to do it cheap has gone out of the window as I'm going to put a load of new panels on it and get it painted. No way will it be ready next year but hopefully its something I'll keep for a long time! Just need to keep making progress and the motivation will remain.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    After alot of deliberation, I've decided to continue with the car's repair. Santa bought me a few new panels so I've made a start on getting rid of the old ones as they were rotten, beaten and full of filler.









    Pretty solid underneath but now I need to find someone to fit the new panels. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    coming on strong now....why dont you fit the panels yourself...judging by the other work youve done..it shouldnt be a problem.....i think tfitting the gearbox tunnel is harder than fitting the front end.....position it first with self tappers then weld it up...cool project ...cheers mark

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Bit more progress, trial fitted the engine to the gearbox using one of the conversion plates. All fitted nicely.





    Car will be going to get a load of new panels fitted but there were a few areas that I needed to check whether they need work. My experience with this car is that its full of filler, and I wasn't wrong as you can see.









    Think i may get the car blasted as its covered in filler and will be good to see any areas that need doing as I want it done right.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    looking good mate i am building an escort to circuit race also on a tight budget. money dont go far when your buying escort parts.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Had the car blasted this week and I can now see all the issues. In addition to what I thought it needed, it needs a repair to a dent on the roof, bottoms of the rear quarters on both sides, possible outer arch on passenger side, rear panel and door jam on passenger side. Here are some pictures to show how much filler was on it and the state of the car.





























    Bit worried about the whole rear quarters but I have someone coming to look at the bodywork so fingers crossed I'll know more soon.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    its all very repairable....but the budget will be blown...still looks a very solid car...keep plugging away ...cheers mark

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    I definitely need to remove the word "budget" from the title of this thread!

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Quote Originally Posted by tom_escort_mk2 View Post
    I definitely need to remove the word "budget" from the title of this thread!
    just add the word "blown" in front of budget.........

    escort = expensive...but worth it ...cheers mark

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Could have been worse - could have been REALLY rotten. A posts look nasty but the rear valence is a picture......hide it with the bumper no one will notice!

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Doesnt look bad that at all, all the usual places, easily fixed.

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Good idea to get it blasted, and doesn't look that bad
    GavinR

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    quite a solid shell really, still a lot of work but seen a lot worse rescued

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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    Thanks for the messages guys. Trial fitted the engine and RX8 gearbox at the weekend to make sure I put the big gearbox tunnel in the right place!





    Fortunately it fitted. I've now collected all the panels I need to fix the car so I'm taking it to a bodyshop this Saturday so hopefully it'll start looking like a car soon.

    I've been having a think about what colour to go for and I was thinking white but my heart is saying to make it like the below (other than the arches). Thoughts?


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    Re: "Budget" Escort Mk2 Project

    You won't lose it in a car park will you!

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