aligning the gear box in a mk1 pinto conversion

slammedkustom Part of things Posts: 129	aligning the gear box in a mk1 pinto conversion slammedkustom @slammedkustom
	Apr 5, 2015 13:04:50 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	hi all. I'm spending the weekend sticking a 2lt pinto n 5 speed in the neverending m1 escort project. I know its meant to be the easiest conversion in the world but I'm having a problem with the box. I have the correct lowering blocks for the gearbox but unfortunately I don't have the right crossmember. the original x flow crossmembers have got lost somewhere along the lines and the one I have I belive to be a Cortina one as its "arrow" shaped rather than straight across. basically I want to know if anyone has any advice on where the box should go height wise. I'm making a custom crossmember using the middle of the crossmember I have and some heavy gauge steel. I don't want to have the box too high or too low and cause issues with the prop. also it pivots the the engine so it gets closer to the underside of the bonnet if its too low at the back I made up a crossmember yesterday and it all looked ok but when I looked at the car from the side the mount seemed to hang below the chassis rails by about 1.5 to 2 inch so I'm thinking its gonna hit every speed bump n lump in the road. I'm probably over thinking it but its doing my head in. ford forums tell ya to pop to the breakers for a sierra crossmember but I haven't seen a sierra in a scrappy for years!


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DWDarkWheels Posted a lot Posts: 1,807	aligning the gear box in a mk1 pinto conversion DWDarkWheels @darrylwebb
	Apr 5, 2015 17:22:52 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Is your prop 1-piece or 2-piece? I can't speak specifically on the Escort, but here's the general theory. If it's 2-piece, you ought to have the crankshaft centre-line directed to the prop's fixed centre-support. It's if a 1-piece prop, ideally you want the crankshaft centre-line parallel with the diff pinion. I agree, it'd be nice not to have gear hanging too low, so if you can find a happy medium between getting it all in-line and wincing at speed-bumps.
	'Scimega' Scimitar X30XE build : retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=109014&page=1 Renault Master Motorhome (modern) : retrorides.proboards.com/thread/168690/renault-master-campervan-modern Cheap Cougar comeback :forum.retro-rides.org/thread/217123/2000-v6-ford-cougar-comeback Still playing with cars, but 1:1 scale now.

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colnerov Posted a lot Posts: 2,834	aligning the gear box in a mk1 pinto conversion colnerov @colnerov
	Apr 5, 2015 18:03:47 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Hi, universal joints in prop shafts shouldn't be inline, they need to work through an angle otherwise the rollers inside don't turn and "freeze" and eventually seize up. as long as the angle is not severe and the angle is similar the other end then don't worry about it. Just push the tail end of the gearbox up until it touches the tunnel the let it down a little for clearance and then make your mount at that, once the weight settles on the mount you then have a little more. Colin


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slammedkustom Part of things Posts: 129	aligning the gear box in a mk1 pinto conversion slammedkustom @slammedkustom
	Apr 6, 2015 9:23:06 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	cheers guys, both reinforced what I was thinking. ill be using a 1 piece prop I was thinking go right up and then drop it a little. just don't want to get it set in stone then have issues when I get on the road


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