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Zetec Buying Advise
oliwb - 19/6/06 at 09:16 AM

Hi, I've decided to take the plunge a get myself a 2L Zetec engine for me to rebuild over the summer and possibly fit to the car in the winter..so I'm looking for a bit of advise on buying a zetec. I'm going to get one from a local scrappies (I know the risk but cost is major factor here!) What I really need to know is what one to go for. Will have SVA so no probs with emissions etc. so any age or size or model etc that are better than others? Also any good cheap places to get things like new crankshafts and pistons etc. Cheers in advance....Oli.

John P - 19/6/06 at 09:40 AM

I've just bought a pre 1995 Zetec (which you need to avoid emmissions problems) for £75.00 from someone breaking a Mondeo privately.

This is about as cheap as I've seen and the seller told me the engine was running fine when the car failed it's MOT on rust.

Some breakers offer a guarantee but they appear to be much more expensive and I'm also on a very tight budget.

I believe the conventional wisdom is that it's not worth rebuilding a Zetec since they're good for high mileage and cost more to rebuild than getting a better engine.

DIY Si - 19/6/06 at 09:46 AM

It's been said they're good for 200k miles with regular oil and belt changes, so really not worth rebuilding one. buy it, stick it in, blow it and go get another one!

Danozeman - 19/6/06 at 11:04 AM

quote:

It's been said they're good for 200k miles with regular oil and belt changes, so really not worth rebuilding one. buy it, stick it in, blow it and go get another one!



Too true. My engine cost me 50 quid and now stands me in at least 300. Im sure Big_wasa will tell you the same.

Obviously get as lower mileage as you can. If you can here it running then youl know what its like.

donor spares quoted my mate 175 quid for a 2 litre silver top guranteed which isnt far out. He then went and paid 250 for one off ebay with no guarantee etc.

big_wasa - 19/6/06 at 03:56 PM

As Dan the man say, Dont do it !

Just not required with modern engines. You can almost by a new crate motor for what it will cost.

I did mine at a huge expense and found no measurable ware.

Clean, service and enjoy........ imho

oliwb - 19/6/06 at 07:29 PM

Cheers. To be honest I'm just up for rebuilding it as a bit of a challenge/project. Will probably just replace bearing shells and piston rings etc and re-grind vavles....Its more a learning exercise in 16V's I'm after than anything else....Cheers tho....Oli.

DIY Si - 19/6/06 at 09:58 PM

In which case try and get two engines. Bung one in, and then rebuild and tune the other one whilst getting used to the standard version.

atomic - 20/6/06 at 12:41 PM

Why not try and find 2lt I4 Duratec (HDE420). These engines have far more potential then the Zetec and have plenty of off the shelf upgrade kits available like the webcon K24001