Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

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Tue 21 Dec 2010 21:30

Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine - Tommk4

Now then, I'm thinking of swapping the engine in my old escort. I want to swap the 1600cvh for a 1300ohv for several reasons which I wont go in to.

Now I have a reasonable mechanical knowledge, I have changed head gaskets and cam followers etc etc before just by getting stuck in with a Haynes and working it out for myself, always successfully.

I'm wondering how difficult it would be to make the swap, it sounds like a big deal but both engines run on carbs so there is no ecu's to be messing about with and all the mounts will match up.

Does anyone have any advice, anything i should watch out for or that I haven't accounted for?

Cheers, Tom

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Tue 21 Dec 2010 21:57

Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine - Peter.N.

Hi Tom

Should be relativly easy on a non electronic rear wheel drive car. Most Ford engines are very similar, changing them over should be self explanatary, one thing you do need to watch though is the size of the clutch plate, the 1600 one will likely have a larger centre, so fit the original one that was with the 1300 gearbox or all you will get when you try and drive it is a graunching noise as the shaft turns inside the clutch plate - guess how I know!

Peter

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Tue 21 Dec 2010 23:52

Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine - Tommk4

Hi Peter,

Thats exactly the sort of useful information I was looking for, thanks for that you've probably saved me a lot of hastle and time there. I'll make sure I fit the same gearbox.

Although its a MK4 escort so an early FWD one. It this likley to present any more problems?

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Wed 22 Dec 2010 10:39

Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine - bathtub tom

1. Is the old clutch/gearbox compatible with the new engine?

2. If you use the new gearbox, is it compatible with the old drive-shafts?

3. If you use the drive-shafts from the donor car, are they compatible with the old hubs?

And so on and so forth.............

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Wed 22 Dec 2010 12:22

Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine - Peter.N.

Ah, FWD I was thinking older, so what Tom says is relavant, best use the original gearbox and clutch.

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Wed 22 Dec 2010 12:36

Ford Escort but any really. - How to swap an engine - Chris M

Will the exhaust line up?

Will the coolant hoses line up?

Not problems that can't be overcome, just a little more hassle and potential expense.

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