MK2 Escort Rally/Track Car

[Chris11090]

Hi all,

I’ve been floating around here for a little bit, but have looked in here plenty during the years, there is the world on info on here, and I’ve found some very helpful, so decided that despite Facebook and Instagram being the place for posting photos that I would try repay the help this site has provided me and post a few pictures of my attempt at building a mk2 escort.

Around 10 years I was rallying a Honda Civic, but had started to build a group 4 escort, it was to have a pinto on carbs and a dog box, semi floating atlas, 13’s and a few of the other usual bits.
Got it as far as some of it in primer around 8 years ago but got abandoned after that and left in storage, I built a road mk2 and then took up bike racing and I guess life took over and the years rolled by, but with lock down last year I dug it out of storage and washed off the dust and decided to go back at it.

I’ll try upload a few photos from back then, it’s currently now painted and I’m tipping away at putting it together and I’ll try upload more photos over the next few days

[Chris11090]

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/VwYsLNM/20210206-223241.jpg" alt="20210206-223241" border="0">

[Chris11090]

[Chris11090]

Hopefully the photos uploaded ok, this last one was when it was dug out of storage last year at my buddies workshop, and dragged outside for some power washing.
We then did some more welding and a few changes over the summer, and then got it painted over Christmas.
Hopefully it will prove to be worth a look,
Ive enjoyed the time spent in the shed and it’s certainly helped pass the time

[Chris11090]

First few changes, were to add some gussets to the cage and also decided on an engine change, not sure yet if this is a bad idea, it’s been a dream engine of mine with years, and the chance came up to buy one, changing it from carbs to throttle bodies and hopefully a few more small upgrades, I have seen them referred to as worrier engines on here, I guess time will tell, I also hope to refresh it, and hopefully I’ll cover that with some photos at a later stage.

[Chris11090]

Next job on the list was to make the exhaust system, the engine came with a tony law manifold, so I decided to match it with a home made 2.5inch system with a single tony law rear box

[Chris11090]

Some cardboard was put to good use as a template for the exhaust mounts



The end result, also added 2 of theses to the exhaust system just in front of the axle

[Chris11090]

Garage helper, unfortunately not that much help but great company.

[wildo105e]

Nice project just have tucked away for while. Nice engine choice it will be worth the effort.

[redhf]

Very nice

[Mash]

Nice job Dude :-) Lovely part of the world down there too, my cousin lives on the Sheepshead

[Chris11090]

Nice project just have tucked away for while. Nice engine choice it will be worth the effort.

Thanks, I really didn’t know where the years went, did have other cars but really enjoying being back at this one and hopefully it won’t take as many years now to finish it.
Still think the engine was more of a heart than head choice, previous had a red top in a competition escort and to be fair they are a great choice of engine... and possible a better choice, but just couldn’t say no to a warrior.

[Chris11090]

Thanks very much, it’s nice alright, and some great rally stages too !!

[alladdin]

looking forward to the build

[Chris11090]

looking forward to the build

Thanks, hopefully it will provide some enjoyable viewing

[Chris11090]

The finished exhaust cut out



Hopefully going to upload a few more photos tonight

[Chris11090]

Trial fitted the fan onto the rad, but it was fouling on the bracket for the oil cooler

Before


After, bracket chopped and moved, duct tape was only temporarily, I can’t do alloy welding, so it was dropped off to a buddy to do it


Fitment was tight afterwards but it fits


Also decided while I was at it, to drill and tap some flat steel, and tack them in place to make rad fitment easier, especially with the oil cooler in the way

[Chris11090]

Next up was some mounts for the center bearing of a two piece prop shaft

[Chris11090]

Next up was a gearbox mount, I had originally made one to suit a type 9 dog box, but have since made the move to a tractive 6 speed, so set about modifying mine to suit.


Not the best of photos but happy with my welding



One goes across the floor and bolts up both sides of the tunnel, and has an rs engine mount rubber sitting on it, that goes onto another plate that bolts onto the back of the box.
Also I can use the original mount to attach an extension to the sump guard if I want to run a guard back under the gearbox



All painted up

[steeplejack4]

Good build, best of luck with her!

[Chris11090]

Good build, best of luck with her!

Thanks very much, must make an effort an upload a few more photos tonight

[Chris11090]

Next bracket to sort out was a mount for the rocker for the gear linkage

Started out with a base piece


There was some cardboard cut outs done, and that was transferred to some box that was trimmed up, and welded to the base

And repeated for the top, and test fitted


And then painted up

[Chris11090]

Next up was a mount for a switch panel, which would have a side piece for the pull cord for the fire extinguisher and also an extra button at the top for the battery cut off.



8 buttons, which will be programmed to suit, and operate via can bus or some magic like that.

[Chris11090]

One last one for tonight