Locost Rear Axle
Discussion
Anyone know if the Escort Mk1/2 axle can be found on any other Fords?
I'm hoping to buy a chasis in January, but wouldn't mind collecting a few of the smaller bits first. I'm still not sure what engine I'll use, as I won't be racing I duess I can be a bit creative? A bike engine would be good.
I saw a scrapped transit Van with a similar axle, measured 140cm wide (ish) 30cm long (ish) and had a 12mm diameter plate for the driveshaft to bolt to.
Is that even close?
Cheers,
Al.
I'm hoping to buy a chasis in January, but wouldn't mind collecting a few of the smaller bits first. I'm still not sure what engine I'll use, as I won't be racing I duess I can be a bit creative? A bike engine would be good.
I saw a scrapped transit Van with a similar axle, measured 140cm wide (ish) 30cm long (ish) and had a 12mm diameter plate for the driveshaft to bolt to.
Is that even close?
Cheers,
Al.
I suspected as much, but it was worth asking.
MK1 Escorts are none too common in these parts!
Looking at the pictures of the Locost chassis I've seen I won't be able to mount a Sierra rear suspension/drive set in there, so I'm a bit stumped.
Aside from the Fury what kits are there with Sierra donor cars? Or any car with a chassis mounted diff for that matter?
Edited because I'm drunk
>> Edited by _Al_ on Saturday 16th August 19:03
MK1 Escorts are none too common in these parts!
Looking at the pictures of the Locost chassis I've seen I won't be able to mount a Sierra rear suspension/drive set in there, so I'm a bit stumped.
Aside from the Fury what kits are there with Sierra donor cars? Or any car with a chassis mounted diff for that matter?
Edited because I'm drunk
>> Edited by _Al_ on Saturday 16th August 19:03
_Al_ said:
n.b I presume IRS means I ndependent R ear S uspension?
What chassis were you looking at mate?
There's alot of hoo-har about bike engines, it really depends what you want it for, they're cheap but sometimes do go bang, they're noisy and clunky (so I've been told).
How about a Zetec or a VX?
Graham
A Locost chassis based on Ron Champion's book (known as a "book chassis") uses an Escort axle. Several Locost chassis manufacturers, including Stuart Taylor and MK, have produced variations which use wishbone rear suspension with a Sierra diff bolted to the chassis. Westfield also offer a Freelander diff option.
However, the Sierra driveshafts are too long for a Locost so the chassis is widened (e.g. MK, Dax) or the driveshafts are shortened (Stuart Taylor).
If you go the bike-engined route, I would recommend buying a chassis for which a bike engine cradle is already available (unless you're handy with a welder!).
However, the Sierra driveshafts are too long for a Locost so the chassis is widened (e.g. MK, Dax) or the driveshafts are shortened (Stuart Taylor).
If you go the bike-engined route, I would recommend buying a chassis for which a bike engine cradle is already available (unless you're handy with a welder!).
If you can't get what you're looking for here, it don't exist!
Ford spares
Keith Roberts, Spares Secretary, Escort MKI Owners and Enthusiasts Club, 16 Alwynn Walk, Brookvale Village, Birmingham B23 7YY.
Kit Fit Redmay Industrial Estate, Church Lane, South Scarle, Newark, Notts NG23 7JP Tel: 01636 893453 Superior reconditioned kit car components.
Many parts including suspension, axles, front uprights, discs, calipers and some engine parts.
Classic and Performance Unit 7, Hilton Ind. Est. Sutton Lane, Hilton, Derbyshire. DE65 7FE Tel: 01283 730839 www.classicandperformance.co.uk Used to be Classic Ford Only and sell parts for several different models of classic Fords but as time went on and stocks built up there became less and less room so started limiting parts to cars which had been successful in competition. In the future, Classic & Performance will supply parts solely for Mk1 & Mk2 Escort, from the humble 1100 to the superb RS models.
Very helpful and reasonably priced. Steve is still as helpful and friendly as ever. He also has plans to start specialising in 'classic' kits including Duttons.
Theescortagency.net Tel/Fax 01834 860929 Mobile: 07702 572857 Nr. Pembroke, South Wales www.theescortagency.net email: martin@theescortagency.net What a name!!!
Buy and sell Escort bits - cars, projects, spares.
Speedshack 119 High St. Yiewsley, W. Drayton, Middx, UB7-7QL (just north of Heathrow)Tel 01895-449066 Open 10 'till 6 Mon to Sat
www.speedshack.co.uk email: sales@speedshack.co.uk Specialise in old Ford bits. Do mail order.
Classic Ford magazine A really good source for second hand bits and specialists plus tips on tuning etc
(Taken from the Dutton Owners Club site)
Ford spares
Keith Roberts, Spares Secretary, Escort MKI Owners and Enthusiasts Club, 16 Alwynn Walk, Brookvale Village, Birmingham B23 7YY.
Kit Fit Redmay Industrial Estate, Church Lane, South Scarle, Newark, Notts NG23 7JP Tel: 01636 893453 Superior reconditioned kit car components.
Many parts including suspension, axles, front uprights, discs, calipers and some engine parts.
Classic and Performance Unit 7, Hilton Ind. Est. Sutton Lane, Hilton, Derbyshire. DE65 7FE Tel: 01283 730839 www.classicandperformance.co.uk Used to be Classic Ford Only and sell parts for several different models of classic Fords but as time went on and stocks built up there became less and less room so started limiting parts to cars which had been successful in competition. In the future, Classic & Performance will supply parts solely for Mk1 & Mk2 Escort, from the humble 1100 to the superb RS models.
Very helpful and reasonably priced. Steve is still as helpful and friendly as ever. He also has plans to start specialising in 'classic' kits including Duttons.
Theescortagency.net Tel/Fax 01834 860929 Mobile: 07702 572857 Nr. Pembroke, South Wales www.theescortagency.net email: martin@theescortagency.net What a name!!!
Buy and sell Escort bits - cars, projects, spares.
Speedshack 119 High St. Yiewsley, W. Drayton, Middx, UB7-7QL (just north of Heathrow)Tel 01895-449066 Open 10 'till 6 Mon to Sat
www.speedshack.co.uk email: sales@speedshack.co.uk Specialise in old Ford bits. Do mail order.
Classic Ford magazine A really good source for second hand bits and specialists plus tips on tuning etc
(Taken from the Dutton Owners Club site)
_Al_ said:
MK1 Escorts are none too common in these parts!
None too common in any parts these days! Might be worth buying a copy of Motoring News and looking through the ads in there. Although I haven't read a copy in ages, they regularly used to run ads for companies that split dead rally cars and sold lots of Mk1/2 Escort bits.
If you can, get an Escort axle with the larger 8" drums.
Alex said:
However, the Sierra driveshafts are too long for a Locost so the chassis is widened (e.g. MK, Dax) or the driveshafts are shortened (Stuart Taylor).
I heard a bike engined kit-car on saturday. Loud noise yes, but not nice.
I like the sierra-chassis idea, if only for the handling advantages of the de-dion (I think) rear axle/ IRS suspension.
Does anyone know the comparative costs of wider chassis Vs shortening the driveshafts?
How does that compare to buying a standard frame?
Edited to add Sorry for all the questions, but my landline isn't connected and my mobile phone bill is already over £50 for this month, so I'm none too keen on calling an expert!
>> Edited by _Al_ on Monday 18th August 10:04
grahambell said:
If you can, get an Escort axle with the larger 8" drums.
Graham, I forgot to mention, I've got no intention of racing this car i8n the Locost series, so I'll be fitting all the best bits I can.
Itching to get started now! I'm already negotiating with my Dad for use of his garage to store a donor car.
Trying to get a couple of mates to build their own so we can take them sprint racing...
Other live axles that will fit a locost but are a bit wider are Capri and Cortina. If you get a Cortina as a donor then you also get your front hubs.
I know neither are exactly common these days but you still see more Capri's about than escorts.
If you search for this sort of info on the running gear & donors sections on that website I told you about, there may be some extra options. I know MK offer a driveshaft shortening service to enable their Indy to be the same width as a sierra, I'm sure other firms do too.
I know neither are exactly common these days but you still see more Capri's about than escorts.
If you search for this sort of info on the running gear & donors sections on that website I told you about, there may be some extra options. I know MK offer a driveshaft shortening service to enable their Indy to be the same width as a sierra, I'm sure other firms do too.
Are you interested in what it sounds like, or how it goes? Bike-engine brings other benefits too: Lighter, better PWR, sequential box, cheaper. It depends how you're going to use the car really.
Caterham use de-dion (except the Fireblade, which is live axle). Westfield, Stuart Taylor and MK use independent rear suspension with wishbones. The jury is out over the handling advantages of each design, although an IRS is meant to give a better ride.
IRS is a bit more expensive as you have to buy wishbones, bushes, uprights and driveshafts as well as a diff. I'd say you would need to budget about £350 more for an IRS.
Check out the manufacturer websites.
Most Locosts do not have a single donor. The MK Indy uses Sierra parts, but most of the others use a combination of Cortina, Sierra and Escort.
Caterham use de-dion (except the Fireblade, which is live axle). Westfield, Stuart Taylor and MK use independent rear suspension with wishbones. The jury is out over the handling advantages of each design, although an IRS is meant to give a better ride.
IRS is a bit more expensive as you have to buy wishbones, bushes, uprights and driveshafts as well as a diff. I'd say you would need to budget about £350 more for an IRS.
Check out the manufacturer websites.
Most Locosts do not have a single donor. The MK Indy uses Sierra parts, but most of the others use a combination of Cortina, Sierra and Escort.
peetbee said:
I know neither are exactly common these days but you still see more Capri's about than escorts.
If you search for this sort of info on the running gear & donors sections on that website I told you about, there may be some extra options.
Ok, will do, thanks! I didn't realise the hubs were non-Escort.
Just out of interest. Is there anything to stop me plugging a Nissan engine and gearbox into the car?
>> Edited by _Al_ on Monday 18th August 14:39
Alex said:
Are you interested in what it sounds like, or how it goes? Bike-engine brings other benefits too: Lighter, better PWR, sequential box, cheaper. It depends how you're going to use the car really.
More how it goes.
I want a ludicrously fast car.
For my 18th Birthday I went on a trackday and had a passenger ride in a 2 litre XE engined Caterham. It was insane. I've craved something that fast ever since.
Coupled with my dream of building a car...
I'm really not to fussed about the noise it makes. I want lung-crushing G-force.
_Al_ said:
I didn't realise the hubs were non-Escort.
Just out of interest. Is there anything to stop me plugging a Nissan engine and gearbox into the car?
Hubs are essentially the same, it's the uprights that are different, the Escort having struts which effectively also act as the uprights whereas the Cortina has wishbones with seperate uprights.
Regarding Nissan engine and box I suppose it depends which one and how physically big. Quantum are using Nissan 4 pots in their Napier so should be possible.
The engine and gearbox would be taken from a Nissan Silvia 1.8 8v turbo.
It's a small lump, but I've never seen it sat next to a MK1 engine for comparisson.
The engine has been tweaked a bit and is a real hoot to drive in the silvia. Sadly that car was recently parked, at speed, in a bush...
Seems a waste of an otherwise good engine just to bin it.
It's a small lump, but I've never seen it sat next to a MK1 engine for comparisson.
The engine has been tweaked a bit and is a real hoot to drive in the silvia. Sadly that car was recently parked, at speed, in a bush...
Seems a waste of an otherwise good engine just to bin it.
Breadline Racing said:
www.theescortagency.net email: martin@theescortagency.net What a name!!!
Just spotted that!*
*I was drunk when I first read that post!
[quote=_Al_]The engine and gearbox would be taken from a Nissan Silvia 1.8 8v turbo. quote]
I have no idea how well it would fit in a locost chassis, engine could well be fine, but check the size of the Nissan 'box compared to the Ford, to make sure it will fit in the transmission tunnel.
I do have a complete mk1 Escort back axle going spare if you are interested. It was fine when I took it off a Dutton and popped it in my shed, yours for £50 if you are interested.
I have no idea how well it would fit in a locost chassis, engine could well be fine, but check the size of the Nissan 'box compared to the Ford, to make sure it will fit in the transmission tunnel.
I do have a complete mk1 Escort back axle going spare if you are interested. It was fine when I took it off a Dutton and popped it in my shed, yours for £50 if you are interested.
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