Ford Cortina Mk 1 LHD to RHD
- Thread starter andyfreelandy
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andyfreelandy
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Not 100% sure but it looks like a gearbox!!
Had same thought myself.
needs a nerd (expert) view on it for the spec n type etc as it's beyond me what it's out of
brianp38dse
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andyfreelandy
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Back to Mk 1 cortina, does a 5.5j and 175 70 fit in the boot wheel well??
There is an alien 145 on a rim sat there at the moment.
There is an alien 145 on a rim sat there at the moment.
brianp38dse
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I run 185 60 13 and they are a bit tight width wise, 175 should go in ok its a long time since i had that size fitted
andyfreelandy
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So, several miles under its belt, all good. Survey and testing reveals:
Gauges all over the place and telling porkies.
Leak from speedo cable on gearbox.
Slight bearing noise from countershaft rollers.
Sorted gauges as voltage stabiliser had welded.
Speedo drive had no seal fitted, gearbox oil drained and all clean.
Watched you tube on gearbox rebuild, looks possible at home. Kit about £90 with bearings and gaskets.
Also, far more importantly than the above, sold the bling wheels to some bloke in Essex and bought JBW smooth 5.5J with stainless caps.
Loving it at the moment.
Can't find a RHD steering box anywhere, may buy a scrap mk1 for the bits I need then flog it on. A scrap one is about a grand though!!
This one is now negative earth and has the 'wrong' rev counter with a gen light rather than a beam light. Comes on with beam though. Gen light proper is on speedo. Did they do a neg earth rev counter with beam light? Can't find one.
Photos when the wheels are on......
Gauges all over the place and telling porkies.
Leak from speedo cable on gearbox.
Slight bearing noise from countershaft rollers.
Sorted gauges as voltage stabiliser had welded.
Speedo drive had no seal fitted, gearbox oil drained and all clean.
Watched you tube on gearbox rebuild, looks possible at home. Kit about £90 with bearings and gaskets.
Also, far more importantly than the above, sold the bling wheels to some bloke in Essex and bought JBW smooth 5.5J with stainless caps.
Loving it at the moment.
Can't find a RHD steering box anywhere, may buy a scrap mk1 for the bits I need then flog it on. A scrap one is about a grand though!!
This one is now negative earth and has the 'wrong' rev counter with a gen light rather than a beam light. Comes on with beam though. Gen light proper is on speedo. Did they do a neg earth rev counter with beam light? Can't find one.
Photos when the wheels are on......
brianp38dse
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I am rebuilding a gearbox atm to go back in mine i am converting a high ratio 50mph in first Escort RS1600 box to gt remote so it will be the same as the early mk1 lotus, they are quite easy to do, there is a company on ebay who have the layshaft and rollers for £74
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313380313519?hash=item48f6ec19af:g:1oQAAOSwvedgJUY5
for your steering box you will need the one with the handbrake arm which will be harder to get ie gt
i cant remember as it was 35 years age i changed mine to neg earth but i think the rev counter has to be done buy a specialist it may well be a mk2 rev counter
, they are quite easy to do, there is a company on ebay who have the layshaft and rollers for £74https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313380313519?hash=item48f6ec19af:g:1oQAAOSwvedgJUY5
for your steering box you will need the one with the handbrake arm which will be harder to get ie gt
i cant remember as it was 35 years age i changed mine to neg earth but i think the rev counter has to be done buy a specialist it may well be a mk2 rev counter
andyfreelandy
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Thanks, all good stuff!
The non GT steering box looks to be cast for the handbrake drilling and the pin is circlipped in so hopeful a non GT box will work. Hopefully I can change internals for the correct turns ratio.
Good luck with the gearbox.
Not done one so it will be a learning experience.
The non GT steering box looks to be cast for the handbrake drilling and the pin is circlipped in so hopeful a non GT box will work. Hopefully I can change internals for the correct turns ratio.
Good luck with the gearbox.
Not done one so it will be a learning experience.
andyfreelandy
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That's better!!!
brianp38dse
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@andyfreelandy there is a mk2 rhd steering box the bottom bit on facebook marketplace in Warrington for a tenner if thats any good, the mk 2 may well fit.
andyfreelandy
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Thanks @brianp38dse but I have researched a mk2 and the drop link is not interchangeable.
I have looked at the one in Warrington and it doesn't have the casting for the handbrake pivot which appears on all mk1 models that I have seen in photos.
Good bargain though!
I have looked at the one in Warrington and it doesn't have the casting for the handbrake pivot which appears on all mk1 models that I have seen in photos.
Good bargain though!
brianp38dse
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It was worth a go, they do seam to be few and far between now, two a penny years ago
i was always on the look out for a lotus one with 2.5 turns lock to lock for rallying as mine was 4 1/4 which made it a bit frantic trying to go throw chicanes at speed but it gave me a good work out
i was always on the look out for a lotus one with 2.5 turns lock to lock for rallying as mine was 4 1/4 which made it a bit frantic trying to go throw chicanes at speed but it gave me a good work out
andyfreelandy
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Think the GT is 3.5.
Don't see why the shaft and worm wouldn't swap into a standard box, the LHD doesn't alter the cut of the gears I'm sure.
Don't see why the shaft and worm wouldn't swap into a standard box, the LHD doesn't alter the cut of the gears I'm sure.
andyfreelandy
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Found someone called Dale Stevenson, apparently big in Cortina spares and refab.
He has a shed full it seems!! When I get a reply I'll post the link.
He has a shed full it seems!! When I get a reply I'll post the link.
andyfreelandy
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Started a set of images ready for the swap. I am going to swap it as it is a keeper I think.
Dash bracketry, bulkhead, wiper mech etc.
Anyone know where the strengthening is behind the pedal box?? Must be on inside face of bulkhead as this photo is identical to my LHD in shape.
Dash bracketry, bulkhead, wiper mech etc.
Anyone know where the strengthening is behind the pedal box?? Must be on inside face of bulkhead as this photo is identical to my LHD in shape.
brianp38dse
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As far as i can remember there is no strengthening behind pedal box as the panel is thicker than new cars and the pedal box spreads the load the top mount is just below the seam off the bulkhead top panel, looking at the pic of the dash there is quite a bit to do there for the clocks and steering box mount.
andyfreelandy
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I'm looking to pick up a RHD dash and unpick the welds for the structure in each space.
The steering column main mount is from the pedal box, the bracket on the dash is a vibration reducer!
Thanks for the info about the strengthener.
Several people have done this well but I agree, it will be a bit of work.
The steering column main mount is from the pedal box, the bracket on the dash is a vibration reducer!
Thanks for the info about the strengthener.
Several people have done this well but I agree, it will be a bit of work.
andyfreelandy
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Have bought the JBW 5.5J wheels, fitted 175/70 tyres and when fitted with car in air and wheels hanging all is fine.
When I drop it to the ground the threaded portion of the ball joint on the base of the strut touches the balance weights!!!
Marked location and removed for now, but a 20mm + offset is suggested which these are. Clearance must be tight even on a 5J.
What am I missing???
Looks fab though...
andyfreelandy
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BTW have joined 'Buy, Sell, Cortina' forum.
It's like a graveyard compared to LZ.!!
It's like a graveyard compared to LZ.!!
