Hi guys,
 
as some of you know I rebuilt my front end suspension recently. I did not replace the strut tops and it looks like they are actually cactus. SO im looking for a new strut top solution. At the moment I'm trying to work out if I've got small or large strut top mounts. I've taken these measurements below
 
 
Built 10/1977
Distance from strut top bolt to strut top bolt - 96.3mm (centre of bolt)
Diameter of strut top hole itself 87mm
 
I'm guessing this means I've got the small top mounts - but my measurements don't match up with the ones on the burton products!
Can anyone shed light on the dilemma?
 
With thanks
 
Nick 

Hi Nick.
The measurements are PCD so a measurement between bolts won't be correct. This diagram should explain it

Yes - you have the small strut top - approx 110mm PCD from my measurements.

MK2's changed to small holes after 1976 if I remember correctly.
 
K-Mac do a number of strut tops for diferrent requirements.
 
Cheers,
 
Matt

Hi guys,
 
thanks for the reply. I can now confidently say I've got the small tops.
 
I called around a bit today and wilkonsons can offer me their tops for $420, k-mac apparently stopped doing stage 1 tops for the mk2 small hole and only offer the stage 2 - at $480 plus $25 postage!
 
Cos I'm not keen on spending almost half a grand on tops, I called up burtons.
 
Keep in mind this car is really a road car and may in the distant future come across a few days on track once I get a decent pinto in there.
 
To make sure we are all on the same page, i am running 2 ltr struts atm (the old kent engine is still in there tho). I have adjustable TCAs, so camber adjustment is no problem, and I am looking at getting an adjustable kmac sway bar so some positive castor adjustment will also be possible.
 
Anways, burtons says, when looking at non-adj strut tops, with my small hole setup I should look at this unit:
 
http://www.burtonpower.co...cort-02-77-mp1115.html
 
If I am willing to modify my inner wing and convert to large holes, I could go these:
 
http://www.burtonpower.co...-mount-each-mp179.html
 
What I like about the MP179s, is they are rubber mounted and should therefore be a bit more forgiving!
 
Anyone had experience with the MP1115 rose jointed types suitable for the small hole?? Do they make a noticeably (negative) difference to shock absorption and road noise?
 
Right now it is a toss up between the direct fit with presumably harsher ride or a bit of modification work and a softer ride.. opinions please!
 
 
Cheers!
 
Nick 

Hi mate,
 
I'd go for the ease of fitment one.  We are talking about an Escort here not a Rolls Royce so no matter which ones you get the ride will still be noisy anway and I'd be surprised if it makes any differnce at all. 
 
If it's a daily driver then maybe get the softer ones but given you have some track day plans in the future then i'd go the rose jointed ones.
 
I have the solid K-Mac race ones and on their own they haven't made much difference.
other than tightening everything up.
 
Cheers,
 
Matt
 
 

I have the same issue Nick, have you considered the eccentric ones? Thats what i was planning on getting
 
http://www.burtonpower.com/parts-by-fitment-type/parts-by-car-model-ford/ford-escort/eccentric-rose-jointed-top-mount-mk2-escort-02-77-mp161.html
 
They appealed to me because of the extra castor adjustment i could gain. Ive got a Kmac bar already and more castor on top of that wont be a bad thing in my opinion.
 
Ryan

Thanks for the tips guys.
 
I wont be going for concentric types as I believe they are only suitable for coilover setups.
 
I've decided to keep my sanity and stick to small hole type for simplicity's sake!
 
I will be going for the MP1115 unit from Burtons. People, if you are not completely sure of a burtons item you are looking at, don't hesitate to give em a ring in the UK!! They have some very knowledgable guys working the phones!
 
Thanks once again!
 
 

A belated update -
 
I ended up modding the strut top mount to take the large hole strut tops with the spherical bearing..
 
http://www.burtonpower.co...-mount-each-mp179.html
 
A bit of work and painting and you couldnt tell they arent factory.
 
THe tops themselves are great, but be warned they do increase the ride height on escorts by 1 inch. From what I understand, these units were originally designed for the cortinas.

Can anyone confirm if mp1115 tops increase ride height??

Cheers