New Escort Van on the SA Scene...

g'day all you classic Ford fans!

Here's my 1979 MK2 Escort 1600L Van.

I’m the third owner, but it was only previously owned by a father and son.

It was never going to remain stock standard.

Modifications have been carried out as necessary and as desired over the few years that I’ve owned it.

It’s not my priority Classic Ford but more about the others another time….

Stage 1 Mods:

- Swap square head lights and grill to round.
- Lower ride height
- Front suspension – new control arms, poly bushes, 2Ltr Front stabilizer, Munroe gas strut inserts, Kmac adjustable strut tops.
- Fit glove box, steering wheel, and consul from RS2000
- Replace AM Radio with new Stereo
- Rose jointed quick shift

Here’s a few photos as it was then:





Stage 2 Mods:

- Fitted second hand 1600 with GT manifold, 32/36 webber carb from 2Ltr plus extractors, engine otherwise stock.

Here’s a photo of engine bay as it was:



Stage 3 Mods:

- Roll inner wheel arch lips for clearance
- Fit 15x7 Performance Challengers with 195/50/15 Bridgestone Potenza’s
- Cheap full re-spray in 2 Pack Snow White (original colour)
- Repair firewall/heater bowl rust
- Fit new windscreen rubber
- Fit rally pack spoiler and front bumperettes



Thanks heaps to Terry who painted it!

He also removed trailer plug and filled holes, removed F.O.R.D. emblems from rear doors, relocated aerial, re-sprayed wipers, repaired and refitted rear bumperettes, repaired other rust and dents etc etc…. All for $1500!!!! What a top bloke!!

Then it looked like this:







Then the engine expired!!

Stage 4 Mods required:

- I considered various options, missed a couple of bargains, didn’t want to fit another second hand unknown quantity. So I bought a Sierra injected Pinto that was second hand but a known quantity from Quickco Motorsport, Unit 9/ 26 Jacobsen Crs, Holden Hill, SA. Phone: (08) 8369 0488.

The van in the workshop above MK1 Escort that engine came from:


- It was a complete unit including all ancillaries from alternator to clutch to manifold, injection and factory computer.
- I won’t go into fine detail, but it has recently been rebuilt and up rated, has unleaded seats, the injection head with better shaped ports and the 205 block.
- I’m no mechanic so am paying for it to be fitted by Mike Dale who has just opened his new business next door to Quickco Motorsport.

MIKE DALE AUTOMOTIVE
Performance Automotive Solutions
Servicing and Tuning all Makes and Models
6/26 Jacobsen Crescent
Holden HILL S.A. 5088
Mob: 0417 083 682

Mike’s got a lot of knowledge of the small Fords and has had a lot of involvement at motorsport level. He knows how to build reliable top HP Classic Ford engines.







One of the major adjustments was to modify the area where the radiator is mounted (1600 and 2000 Escorts structurally different).

Here’s a couple of photos of Mike’s work:





He also fitted up a VL Commodore fuel pump and return line to suit injection.



While working in that area, he also fitted up and pair of anti-tramp rods also supplied by Quickco.



That’s about where it’s all at currently. Mike’s been doing a great job and is nearly finished! So it should all be good to rock up at the SA All Ford Day! Looking forward to getting Classic Ford active!

Have a few more mods to do in the near future, but will update as things progress.

Cheers,

Adam.