Thought i would re-introduce myself... i have been on and off this forum as i have been on (and off) ford escorts over the years...
my ford escort history is
1 x Mk1 panelvan 2L 4speed - ended up going up in flames after a bust fuel line...
1 x Mk2 panelvan 1600 5 speed - rust got too much to save this one...
Mk2 Ghia 4dr 1600 4speed (see below) - had to sell due to increasing family / moving house...

I have always regretted getting rid of my last mk2, so i have saved some pennies, and want to get back into building another one.
 
Personally, i would like to be as lucky as Mish was when he found his car - nice to start off with that sort of spec!
 
I am in WA, and plan is to get a 2L pinto motor now, and build it in the shed, and then later this year get a licensed 4door (registered, daily-driver condition) as the project vehicle...
 
Budget for build ~$5k
Expected results (standard stuff really):
Mk2 Ghia, round headlights
2L recon, minor headwork and new cam, new exhaust
5 speed, quick shift
quick rack
elec ignition
elec fuel
dual webers
new strutt tops
spoiler and arches
 
so i thought I would say hi, and keep you guys updated of the progress...

for your interest
additional pics of my last escort...
 

 

 

 
end result

one idea i had that never got off the ground (coz it looks crap)

 
 

Welcome to the Forum.
 
My advice would be to keep your cash in your pocket and keep a look out for a car rather than start off building an engine.
 
The price of the escort seems ot be getting higher and the anount of quality cars available is quite low.
 
For $5k you should be able to get a good condition MK2 GL and would probably have most of the parts you listed above on it anyway.
 
It certainly is a lot cheaper to buy a completed project than do it your self piece by piece but not as rewarding. 
 
Good luck.
 
Cheers
 
Matt
 
P.S.  You will struggle with arches on a 4 door not to say it can't be done though. 

From my experience i agree with Matt, I've bought 3 escorts in the last 2 years only one have I been happy with, but buying car others have built has caused me nothing but problems and money I'm forever rectifying bodgy things done, buy something with a nice paint job as thats likely to be your biggest expense, most pintos are already modified as you have stated, well the 3 pintos I have are..

Nice previous escort!
I promise not to purchase any 4 doors in WA if you agree not to purchase any in Brisbane hahaha
Obvioulsy i am looking out for a nice 4 door so if i find one i will let you know also!
 
Hope the build goes to plan!

thanks guys.
... will keep you posted on progress...

Hi mate, how come you want to change to round headlights. I always thought the square headlights looked heaps better and suited the sqaure front end of the escort better.
 Depending on what standard of car you really want, I reckon 5k would be used up mainly on finding a good base car with little or no rust. As others have said, the good ones are few and far between and the sellers seem to know the demand for them and charge accordingly, but a good body is definately where most, if not all of your budget should be spent. Just saves heartache and $$$$$ later. The other stuff can be added later as money becomes available for you. No point having a fresh motor and 5 speed , suspension and all the nice stuff if the body is crumbling.  Having said that, in the past year there have been a few 1-2 owner MK2's come up for sale in good low km condition , but they werent cheap

Personally, i would like to be as lucky as Mish was when he found his car - nice to start off with that sort of spec!
 
let me assure you that a mild pinto and 5 speed are not the greatest when the shell they are mounted is was as buggered as mine, front had been hit, back had been hit, it'd had a rear 1/4 welder OVER another rusted one, both floor pans were rusted and the plenum wasnt much chop either, and out of all of that original car i bought that i have left is the ****ty shell,
 
take it from me get a nice un molested shell and do the molestering your self

thanks for the advice guys
 
yeah - i am trying to box a bit clever with the budget - once i have a car, then i can always squirrel away a little more for go-fast parts... so i am really on the lookout for bang for my buck - and no rush to spend the coin straight away...
 
also to add, wanting to build this one for low end - mid range power (for something different)...
so atm 2L with a single 45 weber / dellorto is on the cards... tho bike carbs do look enticing......... :)
 
but - getting ahead of myself. need to find both motor and donor vehicle before i get too excited.