Car: 1974 Mk1 Ford Escort
Colour: Tropicana Green
Owned Since: 2003
 
Well now that my escort is potentially near completion for the third rebuild in its life, i wanted to start posting up some pictures of its progress and what I have been up to with it.
 
I originally purchased the car in 2003 after receiving a push in the right direction from an avid Ford fan (owner of a Mk1 Twin Cam, Mk1 Cortina, Anglia 105E) as a first car to rebuild with my father while at school.
 
Being at school, everything was completed on a shoe string budget, reusing as many parts as possible to get it on the road.
It had fairly significant impact damage on the passengers side front gaurd which must have undergone a repair at some point in its life. The previous owner had also completed a (very poor) 2 litre conversion, but still maintained original Mk1 brakes etc so it was not complianced. The interior was orange and had white spray paint painted over it. The boot was full of random parts but it was able to be driven onto the trailer (just). Apart from this, it was ok. 
 
The car was then re-registered in 2004 after receiving a new paint job, new interior, new struts etc and then complianced for the 2 litre motor. 
 
It then remained this way until 2005 and I rebuilt the motor with the following:
Oversize pistons
Ported and Polished
Unleaded Valves
Increased Compression
Kent Cam
Lightened and balanced
....etc etc
I was however still running the DGAV carb and points ignition after the rebuild.
I decided to purchase some side draft 40's and also tried to go electronic ignition (which never worked)
 
Never happy with the tune which the side drafts gave me, I chose to go to fuel injection after picking up a manifold and all wiring etc for a good price. I purchased a microtech fuel only computer and swapped the carp over to this arrangement. I did get the car on the road after this, but then again, not happy with how it ran, decided to ditch the fuel only computer and wanting to go to a fuel tune able system using the electronic dizzy, I purchased a DIY autotune kit and built the computer. I started the car once, had it running (not driving);This was in 2011. There was some point in the middle, I had the bonnet fly up and wrap around the roof of the car.....The car has been off the road since.... 
 
Since I had a little bit more money behind me at this point, i decided it was time to do all the things to the car that I wanted to do when i was younger but could afford too....and the list of upgrades began....
To date the car is getting or has had put in the following:
5 speed sierra box with adjustable gearbox mount
World Rally x Member
front coil over suspension with upgraded brakes
rear disk brakes
Pedal box with cable clutch
redesigned EFI system
 
However, while having the engine out for the gearbox upgrades, I decided i would repaint the engine bay again and tidy up the little things. I removed the bonnet pin latch and cut in the support for the radiator properly.... TBC...Photos to be attached and story to continue
 
 

Keep the pics coming mate, great to hear another 'Love the beast' story...
Good luck with the latest rebuild... 
Cheers Drew...

Good to see another going down the EFI route

Hey Ionix,
 
Regarding your EFI setup, are you building it to suit E85 and what are you doing about fuel lines?
 
Thanks.
 
Chuff

Thanks All, ill definitely keep the pictures rolling in.
 
I have mounted the front struts and started to mount the volvo calipers. I elongated the holes in a completely horizontal fashion. This caused me an issue however as the TX3 260mm rotors wouldnt fit inside the caliper.
This left me with two options; go to a small sized capri vented rotor (same dimension as escort), or get a few mm machined off the outside of the rotor. I am opting for the second option as suggested by another forum member.
 
Before doing this however, I am getting collars made up for mating the diameter of the tx3 rotor to the capri hub; these will be completed tomorrow. I will then mate on the discs and confirm how much i need removed from the outside diameter of the disks. The holes in the tx3 rotors don't line up perfectly with the hub either so this was another reason for making the collars.
 
In regards to the EFI, I am using the hard EFI line for running under neath the car then using flexible efi hose in the engine bay.  I got compression fittings from enzed (a bit pricey) but worth it. I have attached a photo of my new surge tank setup in the boot just roughly sitting in there. Originally i had this all running in the engine bay, but i wanted to 'de-clutter' the engine bay. In regards to e85, no i haven't made any special changes etc to the system for this. I hadn't even considered it to be honest.....

Do yourself a favour and go see a approved engineer in your state if you plan to have the car road registered. Some of the "modifications" you've mentioned will not pass. Save yourself the headaches (and money) now.

Thankfully it's already registered with mod plate for a few of the changes

I had a win on the weekend with the front brakes.
After having the collars made up, the disc was only fouling by a 1/d bee's, so i just had filed this minimal amount from the inside casting of the caliper. I am glad i got the collars made though, it makes everything sit nice. So its just a case of rebuilding the front hubs and bolting it all together.
 
Then onto the rear....
I removed the back axles and am about to get them turned down for the R31 caliper conversion. I am also going to get a collar made for these also. I was going to rely on the hub fitting tight but i decided id like to be able to remove the disk as required and rely on it location on the hub collar.
I took the diff out to do this, so while it is out I will replace the rubbers with Polyurethane i was thinking from Superpro? (thoughts?)

ued superpro on everything- rear spring bushes and diff locating pads, steering rack, sway bars and anti dive kit. Nice firm feel to everything without being excessively harsh. Also in the right colour - though some people will go for a certain brand because of the colour.  Len

Thanks Len. That's all the convincing I need.