Summer project: Escort Convertible

ChrisM

ChrisM

Well-known user
Apr 12, 2007
198
0
Berkshire
After weÔÇÖve just managed to get my mates Nissan Pulsar out of my garage and back on the road, its feeling kinda strange to not have oil stained clothes anymore. Although my mum and dad are happy theyÔÇÖve got their garage back.

But fear not the next project, An Escort convertible. My other pal has just been given this from his brother. ItÔÇÖs been sitting neglected for the past two years, with a suspected head gasket failure. Had a look at this afternoon and there is nothing up with the head gasket, it misfires under load. ItÔÇÖs a 1.8 Zetec that in it, 92k miles on the clock. Changed the plugs, leads, coil pack but itÔÇÖs still misfiring. The diagnostics tool reported a fault with the throttle body, which was swapped that along with the MAF sensor a wee while ago, he was gonna have a look at the fuel filter but itÔÇÖs at the back of the engine, and it was roasting, going to go back and look at it tomorrow.

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We came to the conclusion that the best thing for it is a engine transplant, so it looks like the garage is going to be used up again. If money was no option it would be a Focus RS engine, but heÔÇÖs seriously considering a RS turbo engine with a Zetec bottom end.
 
I was more excited about the car than he was. He's more into japanese cars. Same with my friend with the pulsar. I would love it for myself, but dont have room on my drive way for that and the cat and I cant part with the cat.

The Escort has a stainless steel cat back and koni adjustable suspension. It was re-sprayed not long before it was put off the road so the body work is mint. The hood and interior could do with a good clean, theres marks where its been damp. If the engine gets going all it needs is new pads and discs, they've rusted up so badly they probably wont clean up.

His last car was a supra twin turbo 6 speed manual. So might be a bit disappointing going from that to a 1.8. I think thats why hes wanting the RS turbo engine.
 
Thats a blinding motor mate, i was saying to one of the lads at work today ..."next time remind me to buy a convertible" :LOL: It was baking down here in the midlands today.

The engine you are looking for is called a "Z-vH" basically an old CVH Head on a Zetec (bomb-proof) bottom end. I've seen these engines in Fast Ford kicking out 300+ BHP and taking the cars to silly speeds (160mph+) only other option would be to shoehorn either the 2.0L Zetec engine or keep it close to your Cat and get the V6 Duratec fitted. 8)

Oh is that the standard interior? if it is then you have the Si one that was good for 130BHP as standard and 135mph (although they look like the seats out of a RS2000)

(I was in the FEOC)
 
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