sierra engines 1.6 and 2.0

[Ed mk1 '66]

Hi there,

question1:
My '66 mk1 has a v4 1.6l petrol engine that has been modified to run on LPG. It's a cologne type. I believe that's the same engine as what some people refer to as the 'Sierra engine', am I right?

question2:
I'm would like to switch to a 2.0l. I read in the workshop manual that the only difference between the 1.6l and 2.0l cologne-type engine is the depth of the cylinders (that's probably not the right technical term, but I'm from Holland, so excuse me for my poor technical English).
So, if I'm right on question 1, I guess I could try and find a 2.0l sierra engine and put my own cylinder heads (which are now on my 1.6l and are modified for LPG) on top of that on. Am I right? That would safe me some money on modifying the 2.0l engine to LPG.

Cheers Ed

[Luke]

I believe that's the same engine as what some people refer to as the 'Sierra engine', am I right?

no it's not well not over here anyway
sierras have the V6 2.8 and 2.9 cologne which is basically the same engine with another 2 cylinders on the front

[Luke]

the sierra 1.6 is the inline 4 known as a pinto - totally different to a cologne V4

[Luke]

i understand the problem you have - i've got a firevan 1.7 cologne V4 too but for us over here we can swap to the 2.0V4 essex engine but for you it's tricky as they were not available - over here the 1.7V4 cologne was not available either

the engine you have is either a 1.5V4 or a 1.7V4 - you have the bigest one

you can fit a 2.0 sierra pinto but you'll have to either fit a bull nose front or squash it under the flat front - it will 'just' go

if you can get hold of a bull nose front and bonnet that is the easyest way

[Ed mk1 '66]

I can get a 2.0l essex here in Holland, but I heard they won't do the job very well on LPG, any experience with that?

[Luke]

there was a guy on here (zein49) he had a mk1 V4 essex on LPG but he did have a lot of trouble getting it to run well

[Ed mk1 '66]

Hmm, I'm in doubt now; how exactly can I see whether I've got a essex or cologne type?

I understand I should look either for a 2.0l OHC Pinto (which will only just fit) or a 2.0l essex, I presume the heads from a cologne typ won't fit on an essex?

I guess putting in a 2.8 cologne V6 behind a bullnose would probably kill my diff, would it?

[Luke]

can you get hold of a bull nose front or do you want to keep the flat front

does your engine look like this this is mine 1.7V4 cologne

not very good pics but the best i've got

[Luke]

I guess putting in a 2.8 cologne V6 behind a bullnose would probably kill my diff, would it?

well the diff should be ok as they are strong but the problem you will have is if it is origanal it has a 5.8:1 ratio so with a V6 you'll be needing a 4.63:1 to make full use of the power

like changing up a gear

[Ed mk1 '66]

Ok, one problem solved: it's definately a 1.7 cologne, according to your pictures, thanks for that.
I'm OK with changing my nose to a bullnose, I actually quite like the looks of a mk1 with bullnose. They only seem to be pretty hard to find.
My diff has already been modified, but I'm not sure yet what the ratio is at the moment. The previous owner couldn't tell me exactly, he only knew that it was modified, but not to what ratio. how can I check this?

What about a 2.6l HC engine from a Taunus 26M, I can get hold of one.

[Luke]

My diff has already been modified, but I'm not sure yet what the ratio is at the moment. The previous owner couldn't tell me exactly, he only knew that it was modified, but not to what ratio. how can I check this?

have a look on it to see if the tag is still there (on the bolts that hold the diff cover on) it should have some numbers stamped on if it's a 4.63:1 thats the best one the other i think is 5.1:1
if the tag isnt there you could jack up the rear axle turn the prop round and count the rotations of the wheels

but if it was an origanal 5.8:1 you would tell it's like driving round in 3rd gear

What about a 2.6l HC engine from a Taunus 26M, I can get hold of one.

not sure it's not a very common engine over here - mabe someone esle could advise on that

[ake]

Is that a genuine Ford Water bottle Luke, or a cheapo pattern part

[Ed mk1 '66]

For those who are interested, here are two pictures of my beauty, it's the firevan, on these pictures next to the ambulance that belongs to a friend of mine, very soon we're planning on going on a little tour together.

[Luke]

they are both very nice mate are you keeping it looking like a fire engine or do you plan on taking of the stickers and the light

Is that a genuine Ford Water bottle Luke, or a cheapo pattern part

genuine vimto

[Ed mk1 '66]

I will keep it like a firevan, but I will pimp it up a little.

I am pretty much inspired by this clip on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGDxtTlqYu8

I like the striping, white wheelsides and racenumber on the side, but I will keep the blue light and the painting on the doors from the original german fire-squad, which it belonged to until 1997, the racenumer will have to be 66 (year of build)
And I will paint the front grill white, as well as the little wings on the sides of the grill, to emphasize these beautiful shapes