I have had my Indy a few days now, and have a few questions about it's components. The guy I bought it off was not the builder so could not be too specific on some parts.

First, the exhaust manifold. It seems a little "standard", anything to be gained from replacing it at all ?







Next up is the Carb, see pics - is it a basic jobby, anything doing hear on tuning etc - and the filter seems a little "add on"





Next up, Engine position and gearbox - The engine seems a little "forward" in the engine bay compared to pictures I have seen. Also, any idea what type of gearbox it is ? It is 5 Speed.






Nearly there The Diff which maybe an LSD type, again any ideas ?



The nose cone. There is a slight dent in the nose cone, being caused by the radiator - It is tight to the underneath of the body work and the filler cap is pressing against it - I guess it will knack** the nose cone if not sorted soon. Not sure what type of radiator it is, and it seems it will not move "downwards" any further - Ideas?




Lastly, Plastic fuel tank. How easy to add a fuel sender - I think the wiring is thereready for it. Also, move the internal filler to the "outside body" ?



[Edited on 22/10/09 by karlak]

manifold is standard so always a gain to had from changing it,the diff looks like an lsd to me.The engine looks about right,what makes it look different is the centre of the scuttle panel being cut
A polo rad would be better and a fuel sender should be straight foward to fit.
Looks a tidy car

Hi The exhaust you have is the pinto original one
the carb looks original to the engine with a home made air filter
the engine looks in the same place as my indy
i dont now about the diff without looking at the tag of it
rad needs moving down
i would swop the fuel tank for a alloy tank
Jacko

[Edited on 22/10/09 by jacko]

engine 2
This is what you want

[Edited on 22/10/09 by jacko]

you could get gains by changing the exhaust manifold for a tubular one.

The carb is not great and you would get gains by fitting a 38DGAS instead.

Looks like a type 9 gearbox if it has 5 gears.

You cannot tell if the diff is a LSD just by looking at it (unless you take the back off) Jack up the rear and if the wheels are really stiff to turn by hand then it could be a LSD. If you can spin the wheels easily then it's open.

Looks a nice car though - good potential

Plenty of work for you there over the winter then hey.

Gearbox looks like a Sierra type 9 which is a 5 speed (with reverse left / forward). Sierra diff which has bolt of driveshafts which all LSD's have but no external differences from an open diff which can also have bolt on shafts - jack the car up and check by turning a wheel and seeing what the other does.

Radiator (looks like an old escort one?) - well as said a Polo one is cheap enough (£40) or you could maybe swap the fan to the front and tilt it back??

Manifold - definite gains with a tubular manifold there. Carb - well personally rather than just swap the filter, i'd save up a bit and look for a set of bike carbs / manifold and give the potential for plenty more power.

[Edited on 22/10/09 by Steve G]

Yup. As said.
That exhaust manifold is grotty. Just look at the path the nearest cylinder exhaust will have to take!! I'd go fully tubular.

The old carbs aren't the best for performance. And that plenum looks a bit small (ideally want something at least as big as the engine capacity). Also that filter will be sitting in warm air unless there is some cold air ducting.

I'd look at this three ways

1) it's a pinto so your ultimate power output is relatively limited, put in a newer engine with bike carbs or EFi and go for some really power

2) it's a pinto so your ultimate power output is relatively limited, leave it as it is and enjoy it

3) change the exhaust manifold to a fully tubular equal-length system, change the carb (or at least ducts some cold air to the filter / add some trumpets to the inlet in the plenum / make the plenum a bit bigger)....

Can you drop down the rad at all? Otherwise you can swap for a polo rad and a header tank set-up.

Plastic tanks are fine for adding a tank sender to nice and easy with a top-mount sender (just make sure it matches the fuel gauge), there are some concerns about rear impacts with a plastic tank but hey....

Your lucky - like me you have a super rare PTM (plastic tank man) tank that doesn't leak. Most sprang a leak about 6 months into their life...

The standard exhaust manifold with twin down pipes is good enough for up to 150 bhp so don't rush to change it unless you are going for better carbs and cam as it will only be cosmetic if you do it on it's own.

HI, first thing id do is sort the rad either down or back or different one
then get out and enjoy for a while!!!
when it gets tooo cold out then look at exhaust and inlet nice extractor like the one above and a set of bike carbs that filter thing looks really bad for flow
but definately get out and enjoy first
you might even decide you dont need much more power these cars are really about corners not staight lines
wish i could drive mine but it dont have wheels on it yet lol
Ray

had a thought about the rad, as you already have a header tank/way of topping up. remove the cap and tube and solder a brass plate in its place cost next to nothing
Ray

WOW , thanks guys for all your replies. Some really useful information there. All I need now is a welder, time, and someone who lives in Bedfordshire who can show me how to do these things . On a steep learning curve here, but that is part of the fun.....

Anymore ideas happy to read them

[Edited on 23/10/09 by karlak]

Just ask and WE will help on here
Jacko