Escort MK2 Rebuild

[fordman]

Here are a few pictures of my MK2 project. Coming along slowly, as usual, needed more work than I thought when I bought it, but I'm determined to get all the rot out of it. Hoping to eventually resurrect it as a Historic Rally Spec. 2.0L Pinto.(Future proofed in case I ever have the money to upgrade to full BDG Grp4 spec.)
Up to now, it's had :-
complete front end (inner wings, chassis rails, front panel)
O/S centre chassis rail
O/S & N/S bonnet hinge panels
O/S & N/S floor halves and sills
As you can see, it's now strong enough to be mounted on a spit, which should make things easier to progress. Panels for all round the lower rear end due to arrive on Friday.
All been done using a Portamig 185, courtesy of Steve @ Weldequip. I find I am getting on better using 0.8mm wire, than when I tried the 0.6mm!

 

[Woody.v8]

Nice project Id love to have the time to do a mk2, keep up with the updates

 

[sean2476]

Nice car there Fordman

 

[scotb]

you`ll be a member of the rear wheel drive club then?

 

[julieanncharters]

brings it all back ,straight cut rocket gearbox ,piper 285 cam and a stack of blueprint short 2.1 pintos ready to thrash.
looking back ,should of spent more time in the pub chasing tidy young skirt than p*****g about rebuilding crashed rally cars till all hours of the morning.
worth a few bob finished these days.

 

[nodeward]

i have always been into vw's but these are one of the only cars that could make me have a rethink, i just love em. good to see you doing a proper job of it keep it going for a good few years yet

 

[markjabber]

My Mk2 project here
http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=84754
You should get on to Turbosport many Mk2 nuts there

 

[fordman]

Update

Had a few days off work on holiday this week, so got a bit of a run at the car.
Cut out all the rot from the NS rear corner, made up a piece for the chassis and floor, then put it back together again.
I switched back to trying 0.6mm wire and it worked fine. When I was changing the reel and tip,I realised that I had a 0.8mm tip fitted when I first tried 0.6mm wire, so maybe that was causing an issue?
A little bit of finishing off to do, but will wait till I finish the OS corner, then tip the whole thing over to get better access.
Started on the OS corner, it's all cut out and new pices clamped in place ready to weld up next week. (Got in-laws visiting this weekend, so garage out of bounds!)

 

[Add]

I love MK 2 Escorts

Sweet project......Id love an estate one

 

[BMH]

(Got in-laws visiting this weekend, so garage out of bounds!)

Isn't this a reason to be moving into the garage for the weekend mate

Bryan

 

[BigErn]

Mk2's are brilliant!

Thats my next car I reckon, well with a spare YB engine in the garage it would be rude not to

 

[zakham]

shell

good job if you need any panels no some one in the trade that can supply.

 

[fordman]

Finnaly moving on again.

After a 900 mile round trip to visit Sean, at Rallyweld, to spend my pocket money and collect a boot full of parts, I'm finally starting to see some good progress.

 

[rallyreturn]

looking good..!!
Just waiting for Sean at Rally Weld to fit my new Safety Devices roll cage and finish off a few welding jobs.

Keep the photos coming.

 

[fordman]

Rear Tub

Managed a couple of days on the car last week, and got the rear arches all marked out, cut to size and the N/S 15" tub self taped in position.
Hoping to get on again this weekend, but first I have a clutch to do on a fiesta.

 

[fordman]

Tubs welded

Finally got both rear tubs welded into the shell, and the rear quarters finished off where they meet the tubs. A bit of welding to do around the inside, but the hard bit of getting everything lined up and in the right place is done.

Next step to cut out and fit the turrets!

 

[rallyreturn]

Finally got both rear tubs welded into the shell, and the rear quarters finished off where they meet the tubs. A bit of welding to do around the inside, but the hard bit of getting everything lined up and in the right place is done.

Next step to cut out and fit the turrets!

Hi Fordman,

How difficult was it fitting the tubs and turrets and where did you get all the measurement from. Cheers

 

[fordman]

Rear tubs

Fitting the rear tubs was easier than I thought it would be.

All the parts and all the required measurements were supplied by our good friend Sean, at RW.

But this was definitely a case of "measure many, many times, then cut once!"

After a bit of thought, I made up the jig and a template for the rear turrets, and just took my time to make them fit.

At the moment they are just tacked in, but the time consuming and difficult bit is done, I hope!

Making a start on the 4 link boxes next.

Happy to help if you need more info.

 

[rallyreturn]

Fitting the rear tubs was easier than I thought it would be.

All the parts and all the required measurements were supplied by our good friend Sean, at RW.

But this was definitely a case of "measure many, many times, then cut once!"

After a bit of thought, I made up the jig and a template for the rear turrets, and just took my time to make them fit.

At the moment they are just tacked in, but the time consuming and difficult bit is done, I hope!

Making a start on the 4 link boxes next.

Happy to help if you need more info.

Thanks mate, It'll be much appreciated to share information. I've just made a list of the parts I need to get from Sean and then it's cutting the old crap out ready to follow your lead..!!!!!! so keep the photos coming.

 

[fordman]

4 Link boxes finally in!

Finally got the 4 link boxes welded into the right place. Got caught out the first time because I had replaced the rear seat rail about an inch too far back, after replacing the 2 floor halves!!
Then discovered that the OS rear anti roll bar mount in the chassis was not square and slightly out of position, and as this was a reference point for the second attempt, it was causing me some grief. But once I narrowed down the problem, I was able to sort it and get everything to fit in the right place, using my simple, but effective jigs.
Now need to rebuild the rear seat rail, as it's in a few bits at the moment having had to be cut back out of the car.
Good to see Rallyreturn making steady progress again, I somehow think he will be finished a little sooner than me!