Hello, I'm looking at replacing the strut inserts in the front end of my 1976 Mk2 Escort Panelvan. It has the 1300/1600 style of strut with the large PCD top mounts. The Ford Australia Parts Book from 1976 tells me that there is nothing special about the Panelvan strut bits - all parts are common with the Sedans - ie top mounts, strut inserts etc. have all the same part numbers.

I note that there are variations with the Escort struts - later 1600s went to the small PCD top mounts, the 2 Litre Pinto struts have small PCD top mounts and are supposed to be different again while the RS2000 had the Capri style of strut with bolt-on steering arms. [x2x]

My question is: what aftermarket Brands and Part Numbers of new, available strut inserts will fit what I already have without modification?

Or, am I better off buying better quality strut inserts like the GAZ units SMCKA sells - intended for 2 Litre models, and making modifications? If so, what mods are needed to make them fit? [x2x]

BTW, I fitted new Monroe shocks to the rear of the van last year and frankly, they're junk - so I don't want to buy anything that came out of their factory!!

Cheers, Ian

They still make Bilsteins for the van rears.
I use Koni's for the 2lt front legs.

What is the tube OD on the fronts.

I swear by Koni's (sold by Top Perfromance), they aren't the cheapest but I've yet to have a problem with any. Have used them in a couple of my 4wd's, my rally Escorts and Suburu rally car without dramas.

I once overheated some Koni sports in the rear, went back to them and they put together a special set of shocks with a huge bore, never had a problem again. They're rebuildable and adjustable. .....No I don't work for Koni....

quote:

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Originally posted by Mickas

What is the tube OD on the fronts.

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Tube OD on the fronts is 48 mm as well as I can measure. Struts are still on the car

Thanks for the heads up on the Bilsteins for the rear. Will look into further - have downloaded their catalogue and I suspect you are using Eye to Eye rear shocks for the Mk1 Sedans # B46-0773?

The original rear Armstrong Shocks that came out of the Van (Ford #75AB 18080 FA) measure 17-1/2" (444.5mm) fully extended & 11" (279.4mm) fully compressed. The Ford part numbers are different for the Mk1 Sedans and Vans that used Eye to Eye mounts.

Thanks harrier for recommending Konis - I had a set on a HJ Statesman years ago and they were excellent. Their current catalogues are hopeless, don't show much info for Escorts.

Cheers

48mm tubes means they ar the 1600 struts. You will struggle to find anything decent to fit these.

Get yourself a pair of 2 litre legs, (fixed steering arms, 51mm tubes)or some capri / twin cam legs (bolt on steering arms, 51mm tubes) and your options will be significantly better.

They also use larger spring diameter and are reportedly stronger.

Your strut top PCD is irrelevant as you can use your current tops on either type of leg or insert.

G

Yep I am using the B46-0773, if you have issues finding them let me know as I have GSA Wholesale suspension right next to my work.
Do yourself a favor get some 2lt legs and smack some koni's in them.
The thing will hand like a go kart then.

Thanks Mickas and Gdub for your advice so far.

Regarding Konis for the front, are you guys using Koni Yellow # 86 1835SPORT with a spacer in the 2Lt legs? I guess that I will also need to source/modify large PCD tops with a 5/8" or 16mm hole through the tops for the strut rod threaded end?

The UK 1300/1600s must have had the same diameter legs as our 2Lt models, as GAZ and Bilstein both list the same insert part number as fitting all three.

I was hoping to keep the Escort more or less stock, but the 2Lt legs would give me wider options.

So far, the only two options I have found for drop-in inserts to fit the standard 1600 Mk2 strut legs are Monroe 25-3827+ and Pedders 8710 - both of which should fit my standard large PCD strut tops, which have a 1/2" hole.

Has anyone on the forums had experience with these Pedders cartridges?

Yes I was using the Yellow koni's.
I recon the moroe's and pedders will disapoint you
especially if you put the billy's on the back...

quote:

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Originally posted by Mickas

Yes I was using the Yellow koni's.
I recon the moroe's and pedders will disapoint you
especially if you put the billy's on the back...

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Mmmm, Mickas, I think you're right on the money there... no knowing where Pedders get these made or by whom...

My current line of thinking is that I will probably end up going for the Cortina type rubber top mounts with spherical top bearing as sold by Rally Design in the UK (these have large PCD top mounts) and combining these with a stock 2 Litre Strut assembly using the original 2 Litre springs and platforms, but using Koni Yellow cartridges. I am inclined to go with the Bilsteins on the rear as per your advice.

As the Konis use a spacer, and the Cortina mounts require machined spacers, I should be able to play around with ride height on the front as these Cortina mounts supposedly ride about an inch higher when used on Mk2 Escorts. My reasoning is to have improved suspension and steering, whilst retaining a comfortable ride - largely due to the PTFE coated spherical bearings being mounted in shock-absorbing rubber.

This front suspension upgrade won't need to be engineered, and would likely go unnoticed.

The old Van already has a 2.4 quick rack in it, which I didn't realise until I degreased it and removed years of caked-on grunge only last week!! :-)