Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

jeez man , talk about bad luck! No doubt you'll come back better and faster than ever though .

I predict that this valve issue is quickly sorted and I'll putting the engine back together soon enough. Those markings in the pistons and chamber are insignificant and will not be dealt with now.

[Graham]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

plastic bodied release bearing?

i found plastic ones couldnt cope with my AP twin plate clutch

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Yes plastic bodied and not the best fit for the box. It's a bit loose on the input shaft so propably not engaging straight on but in tiny angle. Which could load the bearing.
I have not yet found a propper Ford round face bearing to fit Type 9 release arm.
Any suggestions? I was thinking of ghanging to a helix clutch which takes flat face bearing. I'd also like an organic disc perhaps twin disc but I think they're not meant for race cars.

[Graham]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Any suggestions?

i use a normal flat faced bearing but has round faced adaptor fitted to it

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

i use a normal flat faced bearing but has round faced adaptor fitted to it

I'm quite short on clearance but with some sort of a puller spring to the release arm I may be able to pull it off

[Zetecalex]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Shame your having such bad luck after such an inspirational build, the luck will change soon
I know this is seemingly a really basic question, but can i ask what the routing for your water system is? There seems to be just one pipe coming from the rear water take-off, does this go straight to the top of the radiator? And you also seem to have blanked off one port on the thermostat housing, whats the reason for this? Does the other port nearest the engine just go to the bottom of the rad? Oh and are you running a header tank?
Thanks.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Yes it has been keeping me busy. But I'm still not discouraged I'll just put this down to product development. It is a shme though if it now starts to work propperly I have no events left to enjoy it but a off season ahead of me meaning another dismantle and service...

Yes I have one hose from the rear outlet to the top of the radiator. And one from the thermostat housing to the bottom of the radiator. I have blanked of the heater matrix circulation hence the blocked inlet in the stat housing. This will stop coolant circulation to cylinder head up untill the stat opens so you eighter need to drill the stat or remove it.
And I have header tank from a Focus II. I have bleed hoses attached to it from the highest point of top hose and from the rear of the head.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

It just may be the valve sealing issue is not the consequence but a cause. May well be that the dodgy valve has let some pressure in the airbox causing the lid failure. With wide open throtle and 8000rpm's on the clock I'd say the airbox lid has taken quit a beating.
If the failure would be due to mere engine tremors I'd say something like this would've happened sooner.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

This just in : I need six (6) new valves. Three inlets and three exhaust valves.

[Tristan]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

oh? bent or what?

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

oh? bent or what?

Ever so slightly yes. They could be straightened but at 25€ a piece I believe its not worth the risk. Seems wiser to buy new ones. Hopefully I can get the head back by the end of the week and drop it in to the bay during the weekend.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

OK, so I got the head back yesterday. All fixed and as new. Exept for the minor battle scars in the chambers.

The engine is now back together with the new clutch floater plate. Now it needs to be timed and dropped in place again.
This needs to be a quick job so the garage looks like a warzone.

Once all sorted I will not open it up again for modifications. Next season will be run with this same engine.

[Tristan]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

do you really think you'll be able to resist the temptation??

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

I am tempted but now that I have aspare head to cut open and start planning the new head I believe I can ward off the temptation to open the engine again.
And to be hones I'm a bit sick and tired of removing it all the time. And if I'm totally honest my pockest are so epty by now that theres only an echo left.
I'll make some other much needed mods to the car during winter. That is if theres no further engine failures to come in the season final.

[DH2]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Markus,

More bad news eh... you've not been having the best of luck with this. I hope all the bad stuff is dealt with now. Glad you are finding the reserve to keep getting stuck into sorting it.

Dave