My Essex V6 Transplant

[Leeday]

Two pictures of the red tube on back of carb:

[Leeday]

Removed all plugs to check gaps, Mk1 Capri Haynes manual 3.0 Essex says gap should be 0.58mm so as my feeler gauges don`t go to 0.08mm decided to set them at a tight 0.60mm checked each one and all of them were 1mm gap no wonder it wasn`t running quite as I expected, the HT leads look old and struggling to hang onto each plug, so squashed the ends closed a-bit and they clip on better (a new silicone set on order, ready for collection tomorrow), checked points and re-gapped to 0.65mm.
Started it up and it does run better already, smooth and no smoke from exhaust:
Video, click picture to watch:




The electric fan cuts in, but seems to stay on, so I think The Pinto radiator is not working and I will need to get the bigger 2.5 diesel radiator.

Chocked front wheels and jacked up rear end so back wheels were off the ground, started it up, put it in first and let the clutch out, climbed under the van and the prop is running true and straight and spinning quite happily.
Van all re-assembled and ready for a drive:



Van returned and sat back on drive:



The van drives great, only issue is that the extended pin I put in the gearbox to move clutch arm forward now means the clutch bites right at the top of the pedal, so my knee is under my chin trying to find the biting point, also have to get used to the gearbox ratios as 1st gear seems to be high reving after about 1 second and not going very fast, will go out again later and right down speeds at gear change, also need to get the tracking done on the front wheels as for all my measuring it is impossible to get the tracking right without the right equipment.
Also for all the new suspension I have fitted I am a-bit disappointed with the finished ride height, was hoping it would be sitting a-bit higher at the front, I know the Essex is heavier than the Pinto but still thought it would be higher. Have fitted larger than standard tyres, so will have to modify the front arches now as every speed bump causes the tyres to rub on the arches:





A more comprehensive road test to follow, when I get the tracking done.

[robbie.cee]

Welcome to the v6 Club !

[Leeday]

Welcome to the v6 Club !

Cheers Robbie
Happy to finally have made it

[hornhead]

with 4.56 diff and V6 i think you would only use 1st for manoeuvring or odd hill in cornwall/yorkshire

[Leeday]

:idea: with 4.56 diff and V6 i think you would only use 1st for manoeuvring or odd hill in cornwall/yorkshire

Ooh cool, have a couple of steep hills here on the Island, so should be easier to climb

Also going to replace the engine mount rubbers, anyone know if you can get the rubbers with a longer stud - seems 25mm is standard - could do with longer studs due to using the 10mm packers under the mounts.

[Leeday]

Went out for a drive, but forgot to record speeds in gears, however in 5th gear at 2000 rpm van is doing 48mph (sat-nav speed) 46 mph on speedo.

Pulls really well and accelerates up hills where the Pinto slowed

So very happy with transplant

[MattBlackMinibus]

very happy with transplant

[RustWidow]

Great going

[bobdragon12]

Nice job . look forward to hearing it around the isle of Wight

[Leeday]

Currently have standard 2.0 solid front brake discs on front of my van and want to put some new vented discs and new callipers but need to bolt on to the original hub/strut and connect to the original flexi pipes etc. What are my options, what should I be looking to buy?

[Leeday]

Van`s first day out at work and it was a pleasure to drive and ooooooooooooo does it sound nice

[blue estate]

Are you coming to main land to give it a motor way blast out ?

[Leeday]

Are you coming to main land to give it a motor way blast out ?

Think I will have to see what top speed I can achieve,
If I can get a speeding ticket on the motorway then I will know the project has been worth it

[robbie.cee]

My old van happily hit 100 with the essex in
Even the pinto did, but the essex got there loads faster hehe
On a private road of course ahem