Yes Deano, I have seen the fella selling those plates in UK , Freddy 6868?? . I have adaptor plate for the RX-8 box to pinto/zetec etc. I'm thinking of removing the Celica box from my blue mk1 zetec van and install the RX-8 box and might either use it in this car I'm working on now. The dellow belhousing on it is pants, so that'll get removed and repaired as most threads are reamed out .
Am going to have a go at making an adapter from 8mm ally or plate, will make it in two halves, top and bottom if I can.. there's a few vids on how to make any box fit any motor so if I stuff up it's only time and cost of the plate.
As for going 5cyl that is still a possible but maybe not in this car, lots to weigh up yet..

Been doing research on adapter plates and came across this one. This plate also works on Volvo 2.4 5cyl , a cheap alternative to the expensive 2.5 turbo motor..
https://picclick.co.uk/rx...1103606.html?refresh=1

Just a short post here, not related but is related to the coup. I been waving the brush, resin and matting for couple of weeks, I got a guy wanting bumpers and spoiler made for his mk2 escort, and thought I'd good time to make some stuff for my mk1 Escort while there... Even if it's way early in the build.!!

Mk1 Escort kick panels

Mk1 rear door cards

Rally spec switch panel

TwinCam stone deflector

6 dial dashtop

The color is the gelcoat which usually gets sanded and painted unless it's a door trim or replica switch panel etc I'll do them in black only

Hi Marty,
man of many talents.
Have you got good mould to make Mk2 dash pads?
Sitting on an easy product to sell if you do.
 
I've done a bit of glasswork, having a boat, and making models etc.
Do you use Poly or Epoxy?
I'm yet to try using vacuum bagging, or Carbon cloth, but that would be next if I wanted to have a play and found a project.
 
The next thing I would like to glass up, is like a half height, egg/pod  chair/bum support rest for on the boat. Getting on in years you get tired standing while steering after a few hours, but you still need easy and rapid access to the sail controls, so often a big chair can get in the way. Fishing boat chairs dont look slick enough, and I have not seen a product yet that suits. Larger expensive catermarans have some, but again they are too big and OTT. Another market idea that is void currently.
 
Being able to glass stuff is as useful as being able to weld.
 
 

Ha, wish I had a good mk2 pad to copy, then I could quit my day job lol.
For your info, van dash top is a few inch skinnier than sedans, they fit but touch each pillar.. Bit of pub ammo there lol

I use only polyester resin for car stuff . When I made Velo seats for FIA carbon we used vinylester resin, horrible stuff, sticky like honey and goes off without warning , at least polyester changes from blue to green then brown so you know it's about to start setting.

Have you looked at go-kart seats like Tillet etc for your super yacht ? I suppose boaters pay anything for stuff lol

I think the van top pad I have is in good nick.
If you wanted to retire early, I can check it out, perhaps it would be ok to take a mold from.
 
Epoxy all the way, with a dash of Johnsons baby talc just to remember the good old days when you start sanding.
Go cart seat, what a great idea!'Will look.
 
The simplest way of doubling the price of a product, is to call it marine.
 

Mk2 dashtop can be bought from UK for around $300 in fibreglass, but nobody does van ones. If yours is mint we can sort a deal. If not I'll pick one from my Vans and repair it to be flopped (molded) . I've ordered more fg materials to do a bonnet and boot for the mk1 Escort.
It looks like I will be making mk1 Escort front guards with Twink arches as I can't find any place in Aus that does them.... And for under $500ea. Just means I'll be bodging a pr of guards just to copy from.

I'll put this out to the people if these parts are getting rare and need to be copied.. these are what I'm thinking of doing.. could take a while tho..

Mk2 escort switch panel
Mk2 escort column shroud top and bottom
Mk2 dashtop van and sedan
Custom clock pod (again) the first one broke after too many uses
Mk2 dash surround ??
Mk2 escort centre console(UK spec)
Mk2 escort C pillar covers

Mk1 escort column shroud
Mk1 escort RS centre console
I have most other interior parts already made.
Let me know if I've missed anything.👍

ok, let me suss out the dash top more, and fit it to check the length.
I just assumed it was a van one, but maybe its not.
Since it's in good nick from memory, if it was for a coupe/4 door, I probably would not have gotten it thrown in.
 
 

I'm still cranking along with the fibreglassing filling up molds so there's no waiting time if needed or sells.
I've done the inner boot frame, mk2 bumpers, switch panel, mk1 GT dash top (for me) , rear parcel shelf etc.
I'm giving this stuff called Peel Ply a go on my bonnet inner skin to see and learn it's craft. When I worked at Velo over 20yrs ago we started using it on parts that were a1 off (no mold) to have a fabric type texture instead of the random matting effect..
Anyhow here's my bonnet with the peel Ply applied after I finished lay up. Looks a mess but it will be removed once dry, it's a use once material

A quick test peel !


Hope everyone has a good Easter and gets those nagging jobs done ..

Marty,
Quick question as I used to do a lot of boat stuff with my dad years ago. Kill boxes, live bait tanks etc so never had to copy a component as you are.
For example, if you are doing a bonnet and using a decent one as a template the glass version will be a different size as its either going over the inside or outside face of the bonnet?
 
Also the mk2 C pillar covers. Are 2dr and 4dr different?
 
Wouldn't someone who is tempted to try do well with RS nosecones!