My new (old) MK2 Escort Panel Van

[MK2 vANKER]

i wouldnt blast the whole van just blast lower panels most common place for rust is A pillar, firewall, sills, front floor pans, front of guards, lower front guards, lower rear quarters i also found rust at rear of rear inner guards normally if i find an escort without rust in floor pans or firewall it is a goodie they are the first to go floor pans are easy to get from palmside in chch about $75 per side they fit nice

I appreciate all this and your pretty much correct in what you have said.

Ok so I have decided to get this mechanically sorted first then do the body work after. A friend of mine has a sierra block been rebuilt with a 1600 head and twin side draughts that he is willing to sell at a fair price so I'm planning on ditching the 2l.

Here is some pics I wouldn't mind answers to if possible.

This gearbox is a strange one, it seems to feel like a 3 speed manual but I have never heard of these before, below it is the details on the bellhousing...

My mate seems to think this is a capri diff and driveshaft. What do you reckon?

Also what type of 5spd gearbox would fit to the sierra block if i purchase the rebuilt motor?

ALSO PLEASE FIRE AWAY WITH MORE INFO ON THESE THINGS, I'D APPRECIATE IT.

Dwayne.

[MK2 vANKER]

Have decided to work from back to front, mechanically anyway. Soon I'll start pulling it apart, get the diff freshened up, second-hand leaf springs (that I will get reset at some point), new shocks and bushes with a 5spd Type 9 gearbox (if I can get my hands on one!!).

I have a new motor being built up at the moment it's a Sierra block with a 1600 head, will come with all the parts like down draught carbs and the pulleys etc, just needs MK2 extractors which I'll probably get from Coby... Going to have the whole front end steering components rebuilt, probably a new crossmember too (as the one in it now is a tad munted) and with new boots and seals with all the parts acid dipped by a mate.

Body wise... I'll start stripping the panels off it and get them sandblasted. If they no good then well I'll just get newer body panels. Sand blast underneath and in other areas, buy new floors off Palmside and get the rust taken out and new metal welded in. As I can't weld I will get someone who knows what their doing to do it. The front clip is pretty well out of shape, cost and time wise it will probably be easier to get a new front clip off Palmside too.

Please let me know if there is anything you recommend I should do or change in my plans... Obviously to get it roadworthy it will take a couple of years but when there isn't much too these it shouldn't take too long.

Cheers,

Dwayne.

[J-W-G]

AH if it has bolts on the back it is an atlas diff.

Bolts on the drive shaft side its and english.

Atlas can handle abit more power to english but alot of parts available to upgrade them.

[Raizer]

You probably already know, but if you get new floors for it you want mk1 panels.

[MK2 vANKER]

You probably already know, but if you get new floors for it you want mk1 panels.

Oh true? Do they fit better?

AH if it has bolts on the back it is an atlas diff.

Bolts on the drive shaft side its and english.

Atlas can handle abit more power to english but alot of parts available to upgrade them.

They are definitely on the front. I'm not after much power really, be just awesome to see it back on the road though.

Cheers,

Dwayne

[Raizer]

You probably already know, but if you get new floors for it you want mk1 panels.

Oh true? Do they fit better?

Both mk1 and mk2 vans and estates are built on mk1 2 door floor pans.

Your mk2 van doors will fit a mk1 2 door, front guards would too except there shaped a bit different to suit the mk2 grill.