Engine????

[nomad]

Well, I know an odd question but I am wondering if there would be a cheap alternative to the twin cam as a temporary swap. I have a very worn twin cam that I'm sure will be a pricey overhaul proposition and am wondering if some Ford engine might swap temporarily. Ford Fiesta? Overhead cam Pinto?
Barring that perhaps a rear drive Japanese transplant that would not be too crazy, Looked at a 4AGE Toyota as was fitted to the AE86 but those have now gotten so rare they are in twin cam territory as to cost.
Was thinking Zetec but they are hardly a drop in.

Anyway just curious. Swaps don't scare me but extra work does.

Kurt

[SimonH]

Crossflow is the only one really. Pinto has everything the wrong side and fiesta Kent has no mounts suitable being fwd. Zetec is easy but requires more work.

[ericbushby]

Hi Kurt.
My car had a different engine in at one time and is still registered as such.
The engine number on the V5C document is E19339. I believe this is a Cortina engine. there is no number on the vin plate.
I hope this is useful.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[ChrisD]

Hello Kurt,

my existing Twin Cam was too bad to be rebuild.
So i put a zetec 1800 in. That works very fine and the car is reliable and has power.
For me it was important, that the car keeps in original condition exept the engine.
Original gearbox fits and it is possible to change for a Lotus engine again later.
But it is a lot of work an not a cheap way.
Much quicker and cheaper could propably be the crossflow if you find a good engine.

Regards, Christian

[pharriso]

Here in the States you can probably find a Formula Ford engine (1600cc Crossflow Kent engine) quite easily... contact people that rebuild them, or maintain Formula Fords... post on a Formula Ford Forum.

[nomad]

All good info. I know the cross flow fits but they are probably scarce as hens teeth as well are they not? Getting hold of formula ford folks makes sense though.

Kurt

[joe7]

Last century, a friend put a 1600 turbo charged crossflow in an Elan. It was scary fast when the turbo kicked in!

[prezoom]

Kurt,
The crossflow engine would be the easiest, only needing a Weber intake manifold and a new exhaust back to the Y pipe. flywheel and clutch will transfer along with the starter.

The Zetec offers a much more intensive conversion. Especially here in the US. Most Zetecs over here were equipped with automatics, thus needing flywheel and clutch. The clutch release needs to be addressed as the Zetec flywheel sits closer to the engine than the TC. Your bellhousing will bolt up, only loosing one bolt that also fixes the starter. The starter will need a spacer to move it further forward to match the flywheel location. The ring gear for a Zetec is larger in diameter, 135 teeth, than the 110 tooth TC unit. Machining the flywheel will be needed to fit the smaller ring gear. The original Zetec intake system is too bulky to fit in the Elan/Plus2, so a new intake manifold is needed. I used a Weber style intake from Dunnell Engineering in the UK. Also purchased an exhaust manifold flange from them for the new exhaust system. A new ignition will be needed, as there is no place for a distributer. This means conversion to a crank triggered electronic ignition. There are several other issues that need to be addressed, such as how you want to drive the water pump, alternator, etc. I chose to ditch the serpentine belt and convert to V belt, relocating the alternator, Denso, to the right side, below the carbs and using a reverse rotation water pump impeller. Made my own V belt style crank pulley. The oil pan is too deep, and if not shortened will be too close to the ground. Wings will be needed to maintain oil capacity.

There is also another thing to consider. Which Zetec do you want to use? There are two versions here in the US, both 2L. The early engine, up to May 98, is hydraulic valve operated, the later are solid lifter type. The early unit utilizes a two part oil pan, with the upper part acting as a girdle to the block and includes an oil windage tray, the bottom being pressed steel. The later unit is a single cast aluminum part.

Most all of these parts are available from the UK, but many were not to be of my liking in design and ease of use. Plus, I just like making everything I can. Example, my exhaust is a single 4-2-1 unit when including the Y pipe, and no piece is below the bottom of subframe (chassis?) and is removable without any other manipulation of parts. The flywheel challenge was a domestic unit by Fidanza in aluminum.

Was it worth the effort? Having a 2L engine in the Plus2 is magic, when you include a close ratio box and a 3.5 diff. On this side of the pond, Bud English is also doing the same conversion, using the later engine and constructing his own ignition system and motorcycle derived fuel injection.

[h20hamelan]

Rwd motorsports now sells the Duratec bell to T5
But, then you would bin the Twink

[Phil.C60]

You can buy a steel flywheel for a Zetec from Burton that addresses the clutch spacing and ring gear issues so as long as the crank is the same (which I confess I don't know for sure) whether it started off as manual or auto is irrelevant. Has the correct offset for a rocket or type 9 gearbox. Uses a 216mm Pinto clutch cover. Uses standard Pinto rwd starter which might be a tight fit in an Elan, but you could use the Powerlite co-axial - I have one on my S4: it works well and is the same size body as the original inertia type. Why reinvent the wheel with starter spacers etc etc.! Weber make a 45DCOE kit specifically for the Zetec. As far as the ignition side is concerned, using Nodiz ignition you can use the original flywheel pickup and map it 2D just using engine speed ( exactly the same as a mechanical advance only distributor) or add a TPS to the end of one of the Webers and map it 3D. Your choice. All the bits for the alternator drive, reverse water pump rotation, sump, windage tray (a plastic top Zetec doesn't have one) etc. are out there too. Exhaust is trickier but not rocket science. If you do some research and plan it right it's not that difficult, but it isn't cheap.....however it's probably cheaper than rebuilding a completely knackered twin-cam. And more powerful. I did the conversion to a MK11 Escort some years ago and it made 181BHP at the crank (corrected from 142 at the wheels) with no engine mods at all. Quite an exciting ride....And all the expense is in the conversion parts, the basic engines are as cheap as chips and just as plentiful.

[prezoom]

The Weber carbs recommended for the Zetec are the 45mm 152G. The big difference is the 5 progression holes over the normal 3 holes in the carbs for the TC. The additional holes have removed the tendency to have a flat spot off idle. A marked difference in carb tuning.

[Phil.C60]

Yes, they were introduced as part of a Weber Alpha kit that came with the Weber ignition box too. That's what I used, although I think it's not supported very well any more and NoDiz is the way to go.....I have also read somewhere that folks have used them on Twin Cams to good effect to get around the flat spotting with 151's. Can't remember where, and of course that was after I had bought some 151s for my Elan!

[nomad]

All good info, folks. Sooo, who would be the go to group to set me up with parts for a Zetec or Duratek in an Elan swap? Can such a swap be made without modifying my original S1 frame? How far from a fit is the early Fiesta Kent engine? I think I know where one is that could be had for the asking, needing an overhaul, of course.

Kurt

[StressCraxx]

A Fiesta Kent will fit, as long as the sump bowl is in the rear towards the flywheel.

[h20hamelan]

I could be wrong, but, the Fiesta in N America was only built for a few years. Parts, and engine are rare

1977-1980 (North America)
from-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fies ... generation)

the Duratec takes work like the Zetec, and a different trans bell housing. But, the Duratec is amazing. Why Caterham has been using it since 2002?

here only 2.3L which is taller and may not fit. 2L are around and a search will find some.
edit, the sump as well as valve cover and Ford Ranger or Miata water-pipes from rear of engine. Sure I will think of more...

https://www.summitracing.com/search/par ... t/2-3l-140

T5 info, not complete but.

https://www.corral.net/threads/four-cyl ... 5.2489682/

I also have a Mazda Miata 5 speed box from the 2002-05 I believe and can get measurements but will fit. This might be the best option but there are limited gear-sets therefore the T5.

NoDiz and RWD motorsports bell. Drive shaft needs shortening I believe