Mk5Mike

Nice one! Looking forward to seeing this too.

Just catching up on several months of posts - Jayne, this is looking fab! Off to check out Pete C's progress now...

Mk5Mike breaking cover! Matt, I may be able to help, will send you a PM.

Hi everyone, sorry I've been awol over the past couple of months. As some of you know, I've been a bit poorly but pleased to say that the treatment is going well and with a bit of luck I'll be back in reasonable shape by the time the show season kicks off next year. Unfortunately my finances aren't doing quite as well as my health and it's likely to be a while before I get back to working full time, so the Crusader may need to find a new home in the new year but I'll see how things go (keeping the Mk4 though whatever happens...) Anyway, merry Christmas to one and all - I've got some posts to catch up on! Cheers, Mike

If the axle is original it will be a Koln. The 4.44:1 is the lowest ratio axle in the Cortina range and in the U.K. market was only fitted to the 1300 crossflow Mk4 and Mk5s (we didn't get the 1300 pinto over here) - this was the set up in my Mk5 two door which was surprisingly lively to drive around town but bloody noisy on the motorway!

Found this reference in the UK manual to the three letter engine codes (but can't say as I've ever noticed the marking on the block on any of the pinto engined Cortinas that have passed through my hands...)

Aren't those crossflow block numbers?

My 1600 OHC (HC) Mk5 has engine code "LC" on the VIN plate - it's a bit confusing that the Portuguese plates use a three letter code but perhaps the first two letters correspond with the Dagenham/Genk build codes. As far as I can remember "J" is the first letter of the two letter codes for both OHV and OHC 1300 engines but I don't have the factory manual with me at the moment.

And another - ending in 2hrs, only £240 at the moment! http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/252563951031

And another starting at £450 http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/232096449366

My folks had an F reg facelift 2.0 Sierra auto - it was definitely a pinto and I'm sure the autobox was 4 speed.

The total coolant capacity on a 1300 Mk5 is just less than 5 litres - assuming it's the same on a Mk3 you'd wouldn't get close to draining it completely unless you also removed the drain plug from the engine block - on my 1300 (which I flushed and refilled many many times but only ever drained from the bottom hose of the rad) I never got more than 4 litres in each time.

:thumbup:

I could be wrong (and so often am...) but I think the leather/vinyl gaiter is a separate part which slots into the plastic surround from below. Wrong colour but you get the idea from this:- http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GEAR-LEVER-GROMMET-FORD-CORTINA-MK-5-/291882902006

I have the muscular physique of a wire coathanger and recently managed to lift a slippery 1600 cross flow off the ground and into the back of a van with one other bloke, so your plan ought to work!

That's a real bargain - I don't understand why reasonably priced decent Mk4s and Mk5s don't seem to be shifting at the moment, perhaps it's the time of year?

Reproduction black Ford "Beta" cloth is available but it's bloody expensive. For a quality retrim job, send a message to Craig aka 'Mk1madness' on here, he did a fantastic job on the seats on my old mk5 two door and for other forum members.

In which case I have at least two spare covers!

This is looking fantastic - and for us spectators the reassembly process is satisfyingly quick! Have you got the plastic drip cover for the wiper motor? I have a spare one knocking around if not.

Nice bit of mechanicing there Pete!

Last few pics of the car before Lee collected it this evening. I've spent most of this week thinking 'what have I done?' but needs must - I've got the satisfaction of having done what I set out to do on the car and now I'll look forward to working on the estate (which I am definitely NEVER going to sell...). I think a long drive in the Crusader is called for to raise the spirits!

Very nice - is it a factory convertible?

Yep, this is my current bedside pile:-

Well that was quick - sold to Lee (lazyboy) :thumbup:

The way they're behaving this morning, I think I'd have to pay someone to take them away...