Hello All,

Has anyone fitted a pinto into the book chassis? and if so, what problems did you encounter?

I am looking at building a locost with a book chassis front end, but using the IRS from the sierra.

Would a CVH be less of a problem? There are loads of Sierra's about for a donor car, but not many mk2 escorts!

Also, what would I need to do if I wanted to use a crossflow, with a sierra type 9 gearbox? what bellhousing is req'd?

Sorry for all the questions!

Best Regards,

Chris.

loads of people have fitted pinto its the most common engine

the sierra is becoming increasingly used as a donor as escorts become rare

sierra has a different track width to that which the book chassis was designed for
do a search for this loads and loads of posts

wow, thanks for such a quick reply.

I will search for some other posts.

Has anyone got an updated frame drawing to suit the increased track?

Thanks,

Chris.

Does the Pinto not stick out the top of the bonnet on a book car ?

Mk Indy's etc have higher scuttles and nosecones ............................

there are a couple of options for you, either look up Mcsorleys site and get a +4 width set of plans and cutting list or buy some drawings from Darren at GTS who's redrawn them for a sierra rear end etc.

http://www.mcsorley.net/locost/

http://www.gtscougar.freeserve.co.uk/

And yes, the pinto is about an inch or so taller hense the bigger bodywork avaliable from MK and alike.

Jason
ps the type 9 bolts straight onto a x/flow no messing, only problem occurs if you try to use an alloy RS2000 bellhousing to save weight,, I'll let you know if i ever get it sorted

[Edited on 1/9/04 by Deckman001]

Thanks a lot for that.

Are MK chassis drawings readily available? or do I have to buy them?

Is it the MK Indy that is based on a Sierra then?

Cheers!

Chris.

It does fit, but the 'R' tube needs a bit of moving, and the LH engine bearer needs adaption to miss the starter motor. You need to drop the motor as low as possible and lift the nosecone the rest of the way. The alternator is a bit of a head scratcher, but getting a small one and set it low down, it will go.
Rescued attachment Engine Overhead2.jpg

Thanks Mark. Do you think it would be easier to build a mk chassis though?

What are the main differences? is it just the height? or is the mk chassis wider than the book one to suit the sierra rear end?

Thanks!

Chris.

You won't manage to get dimensions for an MK chassis - if you want one you will have to buy it complete.

Alternatives are:
- buy the chassis plans from GTS and use their De-dion rear suspension.
- buy a set of pre-cut tubes from Luego for the velocity
- buy the Tiger Avon book and see if you can figure enough correct dimensions to build a working chassis from their plans
- make up your own

-buy the Tiger Avon book and see if you can figure enough correct dimensions to build a working chassis from their plans

Ask a few people who have done this, then look at the alternatives!

Chris,

The MK is taller and I think wider, I have seen MK's with a standard sierra alternator, this is a definate NO NO in a book chassis with a pinto.

hi chris

i have a book chassis built by mk

the only modification i needed was to raise the chassis along the sides to fit the pinto under the bonnet and nosecone

wasnt a problem because i made the side panels out of ali

not sure if irs is really worth the effort

ive got a capri rear diff which is wider than the escort and easier to get hold of

check my archive for pics

patrick

MK Indy chassis' are 1" taller in the sides,the bodywork(scuttle&nosecone) is virtually locost,and usually interchangeable.
Luego are the ones that make taller nosecones and scuttles,perhaps that is an easier route using a standard book chassis!
In the Indy you sit the pinto as low as possible and chop the sump pan and cam cover filler down.
Also dont forget the 1600 is not as tall as 1800&2000 engines.

Thank you for the replies everyone.

Is the CVH even more difficult to fit into a book chassis then?

CVH sierras seem the most common.

Looking at a sketch I've got of a zetec, it is a fair bit taller than a Pinto, do you modify the sump to drop the height of it down?

Cheers,

Chris.

No more difficult than a Pinto, but the 1800CVH is a crap engine so is not a very popular fitment in a locost.

I think put a bit more techy, its only 90hp as opposed to a 2 litre at 105 for a carb and 115 for efi. Its also a bit limited on tuning parts.

atb

steve

ok, so pinto it is then! Then possibly progressing on to a zetec or XE.

Cheers.

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Green
ok, so pinto it is then! Then possibly progressing on to a zetec or XE.

Cheers.

---

Dont talk about my engine like that pal!!

The Pinto is a boat anchor for a car like a locost or any other Seven clone. Ask why Caterham never used them - Colin Chapman would have turned in his grave.
I had a tatty F27 with one of these in - unfortunately it was also wide bodied and the track is toooo wide for such a (relatively) light car (if you must use one try Anderson engines near Bath - they know a lot about these engines). I had a bonnet bulge (ugly as f***). You can move the oil filler to the side of the cam cover, and fit a winged sump, then you can get the c-of-g down, and avoid the bulge. The CVH never tuned very well, and was not very strong. If you intend to go CVH go for an RS Turbo engine. Ever thought of converting a Mk1 or 2 Golf engine, plenty of tuning parts, new and s/h, good power output, and, despite an iron block, not too heavy. They used to put these in F3's in the 80's.