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Engines
Confused but excited. - 20/10/06 at 03:24 PM

I currently intend fitting a 1300 x-flow ( when I eventually get to the point of actually putting an engine in ). It has only done 46,000 miles from new and I have had the head trued and fitted with new guides, valves, springs and hard seats.

I may have the chance of a 1600 Ford 16 valve twink out of a K reg Escort. It has however done 109,000 miles.

The question is; is it worth bothering with or should I stick to plan A?

Opinons please.

pewe - 20/10/06 at 03:51 PM

I'm no Ford expert but I reckon that logically you should stick with what you have.
a) You have a pretty good idea that your current engine is OK.
b) you've spent the money on improving it already and probably wouldn't see it back were you to sell it and
c) any engine with 100k will probably need refreshing at least and major overhaul if its been thrashed.
But hey it's a free country and if you're flush what the hell?
Cheers, Pewe

MikeRJ - 20/10/06 at 03:58 PM

Plan A.

The old 1.6 Zetec E is not exactly a ball of fire, and when you take into account the extra costs and effort involved in fitting a Zetec then IMO it's not worth bothering with. You will have to sort out your own fueling and ignition (unless you want to try and use the Ford injection/ECU setup) and the sump will probabably need chopping down. Then you will need to source a CVH starter motor, fit a spigot bearing to the end of the crank, get new engine mountings etc...

If you want more power then consider a 1.8 or 2.0 Zetec, either are better performers than the strangled 1.6 version, and are cheap and easy to get s/h. You still need to do the above but at least you get a good increase in power for your trouble.

[Edited on 20/10/06 by MikeRJ]

donut - 20/10/06 at 04:12 PM

I would stick with plan A. Theres plenty toy can do to a xflow. Plus you don't need ooodles of power.

Confused but excited. - 20/10/06 at 08:37 PM

Cheers guys.
I know absolutely nothing about Ford twinks, other than a Duratec is better than a Zetec, because I read that on here.
Just wanted a bit of reasurance that I wasn't going to pass up a diamond.
Thank you for taking the time to post your advice.

DavidM - 20/10/06 at 10:44 PM

If you stick with the crossflow, I'd recommend a 5 speed box. I'm using a 4 speed but will soon be upgrading.

David

gazza285 - 20/10/06 at 10:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DavidM
If you stick with the crossflow, I'd recommend a 5 speed box. I'm using a 4 speed but will soon be upgrading.



The four speed has a pretty good selection of ratios, unlike the five speed which has a very wide spread. With the five speed you'll find that either first is too low or fifth is too high. If you find that the top speed is not high enough then change the rear axle ratio to a higher one, this is a much easier swap than changing to a five speed box.

Confused but excited. - 21/10/06 at 05:06 PM

Thanks for the additional input guys.