V6 Cosworth engine in a MK transit???

[JimmyRay]

Hi guys, new to the forum and it a bit of a pressure situation as I only have today to make my mind up, so if anyone can come back with some quick advice it'd be very much appreciated

Basically, I have an opportunity to buy a 1978 MK2 transit with a V6 cosworth engine in it.

The seller assures me (as he would, but he seems likely a pretty decent guy) that because it has the Atlas diff on it then it can take that kind of horsepower no problem, and it's been professionally fitted...but my friends are telling me to stay away from it as parts for a '78 are hard to come by/expensive, and that the same goes for Scorpio Cosworth engines.

So I thought you guys would be the people to ask. Am I getting all excited and about to blow my cash on a money pit...or would it be ok? Either way, going up to look at it tomorrow, though I know next to nothing about transits.

Anyone in the know that respond to this asap would be a superstar to me.

Cheers all, nice to meet you either way.

Luke

[JimmyRay]

PS Probably worth adding that I've just discovered the search option and seen some of the other threads, but for a mechanical dunce like me they're not much use. I should perhaps add that I'm planning on using this as an everyday vehicle, not just a weekender. So it WILL get a lot of long drives (I'm a gigging musician) and don't want to live in constant fear of spending a fortune on it.

It sounds like the guy's had the engine fitted properly by pros, but they haven't adjusted anything else; SURELY this means it's just gonna fall to bits??

[rover]

There's no reason it should fall to bits.

So long as it doesnt rattle on start up (ie timing chain), then as long as you keep it serviced it should be ok.

I assume its the one with the ruddy great exhausts on the back?

Rover.

[JimmyRay]

Yep! It's so stupid, it's actually cool. Thanks for the advice man, I can't tell you how appreciated that is.

So no need to worry about the diff and brake drums etc? I must admit, it seems like the Cosworth engine doesn't seem that rare in transits, a lot of you seem to be doing it, but you all also seem to be talking about a lot of tuning specs to other parts of the car that I worry these guys haven't done/wouldn't know about?

Is it true though what the prophets of doom are saying though about expensive/hard to get parts?

[FredTransit]

Transit diffs are often used in rods, so they can take it.

[JimmyRay]

Ah, cool, so would everything else be ok-drive shaft etc-without extensive work to prep it for the engine? Sounds like they've just dropped the engine in.

And as I say, aren't MK2 parts really hard to get hold of and expensive?

[FredTransit]

Well obviously the engine isn't Mk2 for a start. The back axles go on and on, and I don't know what gearbox it has. Lots of things can be interchanged with Mk3 parts, we have Mk3 servos on a lot of our vans. I don't think even new parts are expensive. Most (like brake pads/shoes) can be bought over the counter. Very few Mk2 parts are exclusively Mk2, the ones I found so far are light switches, window winder mechanisms, and obviously glass and body panels. A wing is about £100 (pattern).

[Neil]

check the insurance quote for a modified van it may be more

[Luke]

PS Probably worth adding that I've just discovered the search option and seen some of the other threads, but for a mechanical dunce like me they're not much use. I should perhaps add that I'm planning on using this as an everyday vehicle, not just a weekender. So it WILL get a lot of long drives (I'm a gigging musician) and don't want to live in constant fear of spending a fortune on it.

It sounds like the guy's had the engine fitted properly by pros, but they haven't adjusted anything else; SURELY this means it's just gonna fall to bits??

as much as i think everyone should drive round in a cosworth transit - especially those called Luke are you really sure it's for you with anything modified you'll always get less reliability and if your living depends on it and as you put it "your a mechanical dunce" is it really for you
I've got a cosworth V6 transit myself and i'm quite a compitent mechanic yet since i decided to use it as a daily driver (start of this summer) it's spent more time off the road than on infact as we speak it's sat outside my house minus a back axle
most of the problems ive had were self inflicted - drag racing it destroyed the axle (mine wasnt an atlas) but still.

I dont like putting anyone off following their dream and if you want a cosworth mk2 - get rid of the bean tins and you'll struggle to find one better

put it this way if my living depended on it i wouldn't use my cossy van for it

[JimmyRay]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking...that it MAY be all right, and from what everybody here seems to be saying, it probably WILL be...but if you actually have used it as a daily driver and it's needing constant tinkering, it's probably not for me.

Sigh...you know what it's like though. When you've picked yourself up off the floor from laughing at the bean tins, you can't help thinking, 'I've gotta have it...'

[Luke]

whereabouts are you located

dont get me wrong they can be reliable and make good daily drivers but you really do need a basic level of mechanical understanding coupled with the fact that its a classic van it doesnt help it

i do intend to make my van reliable, but i'm lucky that i can do all the work myself i dread to think the cost if i had to pay somone to do the work on it

[Luke]

have i just talked somone out of buying a cosworth transit

still love the van
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46640

[Neil]

too expensive anyway

[JimmyRay]

Ha ha, looks like you have mate. To be honest, you've only told me what I knew in my heart of hearts anyway...you know what it's like when you convince yourself a good buy is a good buy even when it's not!! I'm located in Derby buddy.