2 litre one of these for sale on ebay at the moment from a 2002/5 model focus. Is this a good basis for a conversion, is it a 'blacktop" not sure of what is what with these new motors, cheers Ted

post the link

link
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250661298849&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Yes that is a good start. In my opinion they are the better one from the silvertop, ST170 would be better but are scarce.
Exhaust manifold could be used if on a budget.
If you have the $$ use the Retroford stuff.
Source a better intake for it tho.

i have bought 1 from this shop, so has a few friends, low milage good quality....and cheap !!
Mine is in bits getting a beef up with new parts...as the engine will be a keeper i'm spending good money in the proper places to extract over 225bhp n/a, at a fraction of building a Pinto

Can anyone assist in identiying an ST170 engine from other Zetecs. I have what I thought was a 2ltr Zetec in a tea chest at home. I bought it some time ago with the intention of building an improved production Mk1 Escort. I eventually gave up on the project as son was too lazy to help. Anyway, I recently offered the engine to another IP racer up here who had blown up his Zetec but they returned it. It has a white valve cover and has variable valve timing. Anyone got any identifing numbers which may assist to resolve the mystery?

Picture tell a thousands words....
usually the cam belt cover is black and the top cover is silver and black.... If it hasnt been painted...

Some differences at a glance, oil in out for oil cooler at filtermount, the vct on intake, dual mass flywheel, Exhaust manifold is tuned, intake has rubber connectors. plenty of pics here.
http://classic-ford.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18953&whichpage=1

Thanks Tex, that is very helpful. It certainly looks the same as what I have in the crate.

Unfortunately, the engine came without any ancillaries. It was advertised as a Zetec, for which I had parts so was not concerned that it did not come with all the hang on bits.