I'm trying to figure out exactly where to position my 2.0 l blacktop zetec before drilling holes for my engine mounts and other things. What is the best way to go about this. Do I just try to put the bellhousing is far back as possible without hitting the footwell? How much space should i leave in between? Or should I be looking at other points. Does the engine need to be in a straight line from front to back? Does the top of the cam cover need to be level? How high/low can the end of the gearbox (where the drive shaft connects) be inside the transmission tunnel?

As you can tell I don't have much of a clue so please help me out!!

Drag it back as far as possible, block it in place then make the mounts etc to fit.

rgds Mark

Usual trick is to fit the bellhousing, then mount the engine so that the back of the bellhousing is ~10mm from the firewall/tunnel chassis members.

Some people have enlarged the opening of the tunnel so that the engine & gearbox can go further back, but I've got big feet and couldn't tolerate the loss of space!

In the Sylva Star and Leader, an unmodified type 9 gearlever fits right through the standard opening in the tunnel and pushes the engine waayyy back in the car. It almost makes the decision for you.

Whatever, as far back as possible without being completely unmanageable is right IMHO.

Which is sort of tempting me into a zetec for my current one even though I have a complete BEC installation here.

quote:

---

Originally posted by zilspeed
Which is sort of tempting me into a zetec for my current one even though I have a complete BEC installation here.

---

BEC - Soundtrack, revs, gearchange, bonkers pace.

Zetec - brisk enough, I've done it before in this chassis. Fits like a finger in an a**ehole :-)

Reverse gear.............................................

Pull it back as far as possible and move the front of the engine over to the passenger side. That way you offset the engine weight with you sitting on the right rear side.

Like this !!

Wyn

Here's ours, we're changing from X-Flow to Zetec. In comparison, our is much further forward than lsdweb's.


Zetec in 2


Zetec in 3

quote:

---

In comparison, our is much further forward than lsdweb's.

---

roadkill-uk - did you have to raise the bonnet - bulge or similar -when going to the zetec?

As it is, the engine is very tight in there. the nosecone and bonnet fit on, but only just the nosecone goes just behind the 2 camshaft pulleys and there is about 10mm of clearance.

We are going for bike carbs, so I imagine we're gonna need a big hole in the bonnet

One of the key considerations is cooling system.

If you move the engine right back you may need a water rail (an they are not cheap!!) whereas if you go forwards a bit you might be able to keep the standard thermostat housing.

I would personally go as far back as is practical in keeping with the standard set-up and gearstick position.