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2007/05/07 07:50:52
mk2maniac

My Mk2 Cortina Project

Hi guys, first post here for me, just joined these forums recently, and been enjoying looking at the many nice cars on here, especially Escorts which I have a little sweet spot for.

I recognise a few user names, and some of you may have seen me round other forums, in which case you might know about my project. I have a '70 Mk2 Cortina, which is at the moment a bare shell, it's not even rolling anymore as I have removed the original diff and rear suspension in preparation for the new stuff to be fitted.

That is because I will be fitting a 289, yes a V8, into the car. The new diff is out of a '90something Falcon, and it's currently being narrowed to fit. I am retaining the leaf spring setup. I did consider other options like 4 link, and triangulated setups, but I decided to go with the simpler option. I believe it's possible to have a nice handling and riding car with leaf springs, particularly with the use of Nolathane. The car will be street driven only, I have no intention of running it on the circuit or strip.

I will be using a T5 5 speed gearbox, also from a Falcon. The front suspension will be completely replaced as well, using a unit from a Mitsubishi L300 van, and I will be starting to work on fitting that once the rear suspension is fitted. Obviously, wit hthe V8 being a much larger engine than the Cortina was designed for, there will have to be some modifications. The firewall will be recessed, and the transmission tunnel enlarged.

That's just a breif overview of the project and my plans, for a more detailed description and pictures, you can have a look at the little website I have created to detail the build.

http://www.freewebs.com/mk2maniac/
18 comments Leave a comment
2lt_Scort
Welcome aboard mk2maniac,
A 289 Mk2 Cortina is something we dont have here yet so Im sure we'll all be watching your progress with interest.

Goodluck with it

Rhys
2007/05/07 09:09:57
digiozz
that thing is going to fly...maybe just one run down the strip mate haha
2007/05/07 10:07:56
hotrodney
Welcome Mk2maniac,
Cool project you have there

what's the specs on your windsor?
And I love the collection of billet stuff you have.

Goodluck with the build.
Cheers Dan
2007/05/07 18:01:33
mk2maniac
Thanks for the comments guys. According to the casting numbers the 289 was originally in a Galaxie. I haven't had it rebuilt yet, but it won't be anything overboard, just simple, and built with plenty of the typical good bits so it's strong and reliable, and sounds good. Exact specs will be decided closer to when it goes to the engine builder, and will be based on what he recommends, because I'm certainly no expert in that field (not yet anyway). I'm not out to make huge numbers, as I've said it's a street cruiser and show goer.

And yes, I like the billet too, plenty of polished stuff will be the theme.
2007/05/07 18:11:40
mk2maniac
Small update but not really, kind of accidentally bumped this topic when I was reing it by hitting the edit post button, so thought I should make a post to kinda cover my ass! [:o)]

Hopefully I will have the diff back very soon, and then I have to get a few more bearings and I can put it back together and decide how I'm going to detail it, probably just black with the alloy back cover polished, nice and simple
2007/07/26 17:55:22
mk2maniac
Here are some pics of the L300 front suspension unit I will be using for those who are interested.

2007/09/08 08:25:07
Mk2_2dr_2L
Very cool project.

What inspired the change of front suspension type ? and what advantages does this type of suspension have to offer ?

Thanks,
Damion.
2007/09/08 12:54:39
Juiceman
This will be very interesting to follow, good stuff.
2007/09/08 15:36:57
mk2maniac
quote:
Originally posted by Mk2_2dr_2L
[br]Very cool project.

What inspired the change of front suspension type ? and what advantages does this type of suspension have to offer ?

Thanks,
Damion.


There's a number of different reasons why I'm changing the front suspension. Firstly, so it's nice and strong to handle the extra weight and power of the V8. As I think I have mentioned, it's a fairly commonly used unit, I've seen it grafted into many cars, and it's very simple.

Also, this unit has much better brakes than the original Cortina front suspension, though even if I had stuck with the original type front end, it would have been heavily modified, but still probably barely adequate. The L300 front end shares Ford stud pattern, so it will be the same all round. Eliminating the struts gives greater choice for front tyre widths and wheel offset.

I'm not one to do things by halves, and even if the L300 front end is overkill, it's better to have it over engineered than under egineered and unsafe.
2007/09/08 18:25:49
Mk2_2dr_2L
Sounds to be a fair reason to make the change.. Keep us updated
2007/11/08 13:07:56
mk2maniac
Well finally some real progress is happening, it's not always easy being a student and having such high ambitions for a car. The diff is still at the shop being narrowed, they're working on splining the axles at the moment. I haven't had them focussing all of their time on it, they're just doing little bits when they can, because they still have other jobs to do. I'm mates with the owners, so I'm getting it done for mates rates.

I'm taking the car away to another mates (helps to know lots of people with skills and knowledge) workshop next week, as I require his skills to cut the fuel tank hole in the boot bigger, so I can work on getting the tank made. I'm working on ltitle things while experts have got the major components and are working on those.

I have said I was going to stick with the leaf sprung rear suspension setup, but it's not really what I want, and I've had my heart set on something a bit fancier from day one. I'm now going for a ladder style four link setup, much like this one (below).
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

The bars will be made of high tensile steel, then HPC coated, and highly polished, and will be a nice addition the brake callipers which will receive the same treatment, the polished rear cover on the diff, and the QA1 coilovers, which are an have an all alloy bodied shock and chrome spring. So plenty of shiny stuff in the rear.

2007/08/16 15:09:41
mk2maniac
Well I haven't updated on this forum for a while, so I will bring you all up to speed. I might it sound like a $hitload of work has happened but it hasn't really.

I mentioned I was taking the car away to have the fuel tank hole cut bigger. I have done that and the car is back home again, here are some pictures of the work.


I made a carboard dummy of the tank and sat it in place, approximately where it is going to sit. It sits up slightly in the boot, which will allow me to fabricate a false floor, which will clear the electric fuel pump and filter, which are going to be mounted in the spare wheel well. The well on the opposite side will contain a little tool kit, and I'm going to make little hatch lids to go over them. A couple of shots of my mock up.



My boot will look somehing like this, though no subs, the battery and possibly the brake booster, depending on what I decide to do for that, will be mounted behind the panel, hidden from view. My engineer offered a suggestion for the booster, one from a Hiace van or similar, mounted behind the dash to keep it plumbed up front, and actuated with a bell crank. Another option would be a VH40 in the boot, actuated by vacuum.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Also, so changes to my front suspesnion plans to note.I was initially going to use the L300 front end, but I've decided against that for a number of reasons. The L300 unit is a large, and heavy front end and I'm concerned about how this will impact the handling of the car. I also feel it requires too much modification to fit, and will not be of a standard or look that I am satisfied with.

My plan now is to fit completely custom, tubular wishbones and adjustable coilovers. I am in contact with McDonald Bros. Racing in Australia in regards to the tubular wishbones they make, and I'm gethering some information from them at the moment. Here are a number of pictures of their wishbones.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
The wishbones in an XY Falcon
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

The certifier/engineer came to give the car its first inspection this afternoon. This is required before any further work can progress. He was very impressed with what has been done so far, and my intentions for my front and rear suspension setup. I'm now in the process of selling some parts in order to get some funds so I can start buying things like these wishbones.
2007/09/17 16:21:14
hotrodney
Mate,
What state are you in?, There might be someone you want to know...
You obviously want to go low!

Cheers Dan
2007/09/18 20:27:13
SCOOP
Wow,
always wanted a v8 cortina. Cant wait to see this coming together.[^]
2007/09/18 20:40:18
mk2maniac
hotrodney, I'm in New Zealand. I don't want to go excessively low, but a nice stance, yes.Who might I want to know?

And thanks for the comment SCOOP
2007/09/19 05:46:29
hotrodney
quote:
Originally posted by mk2maniac
[br]hotrodney, I'm in New Zealand. I don't want to go excessively low, but a nice stance, yes.Who might I want to know?

And thanks for the comment SCOOP

Sorry,
Didn't see the New Zealand bit there.

A mate of mine does chassis work for race cars.
Including stuff like tubular wishbones etc.
He is in Adelaide so that makes it a bit hard.

McDonald Bros. is probably the way to go, unless you can get something locally.

Anyway, good luck with build and I'll look forward to seeing more pics as it eventuates.

Cheers Dan
2007/09/19 18:51:04
mk2maniac
Yeah, I haven't seen anything locally. I know plenty of people who would have the skills and tools to make them, but it's cheaper to buy them believe it or not.
2007/09/20 06:14:45
H8TRXN
hey m8 hows da mk2 cortina goin????
2011/05/03 00:06:54

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