1974 Mk1 Escort Auto

Hi there just got my new esky home
Has rust in the spear wheel well and some on the seam of the heater bubble.
first jobs
remove rust from wheel well then fix heater bubble.
find Mk2 diff and front end (replace MK2 running gear) any better idea's
replace motor with 1600 at the moment then maybe zetec latter
what wheels fit under standard wheel arch 13X?? with ?
 

Problem is if your wanting to put decent shocks in (koni, bilstein etc) i found it pretty hard to find them for anything but 2-litre struts. Springs are easily had for the right weight and height. 
 

ratta tat tat
Lovely. MK2 running gear is the go, but avoid the MK2 2L struts if you're putting in a 1.6 xflow or zetec. This will keep the front suspension low and save on weight.
 
6" wide rims are generally the widest you go with standard MK1 arches. Some get away with 7" by using minuscule tyres.

What is wrong with or different with the 2L struts, why avoid then
and thanks for the answer and input

Mk2 struts are possibly larger diameter and may have a better stub axle than the standard Mk1 but that may be a difference between Drum and Disk front struts.
Id still go Mk2 throughout but you will need to modify the mounts for the front eye of the leaf springs. mk2 are different to Mk1. Narrow the springs down or spacers? Cant remember.
Some combinations of struts and springs can cause the car to be lower or raised through varied spring seat location.
Rust doesn't look to bad what's the heater plenum like and front floors
JP

Your bloody lucky about a rust free floor, i reckon they were fitted at the factory that way lol. If your putting a MKII diff in it double check your measurements because i think the MKII diff is a little wider than the MKI.
 

Matt75
I'd def go for all 2ltr running gear inc struts especially if you have plans for a Zetec in the future.  Lowered springs are cheap and 2ltr struts are much stronger.
 
Cheers,
 
Matt

Matt in a MK1 you would need to lower the spring around 3" to get the same height as Capri struts. This causes a few problems- The springs will not be captive. And the shock absorber valves will be destroyed when the suspension bottoms out.