Escorts

[eb91xr6]

Has Any one owned or still owning an escort. i have never driven one but i have only heard good things about them. dose any one know how much they weigh for an 1980 ish. not sour witch one to get as i am thinking of turbo charging one. or drop a new SR20DET Motor into it. any faults to look for when bying one or types to look for.

thanx Tom

[RSgerry]

i am completely biased, but i think they are excellent little cars. i have had a couple and currently own a 1980 RS2000. i havent done an engine swap or turbocharged one so i cant help there. body wise, rust is something to look out for. they rust in the C Pillar. you can check this by opening the boot and sticking your hand up the inside of the pillar. they also rust in the firewall. easy to check again. check under the front carpets for water or rusted out floor. other than that, rust in the usual places for an old car. mechanical checks are the same as other cars. your best bet is to go something with a solid body. bodywork is expensive to get done, but oily bits for Escorts are all over the place and relatively cheap.

two doors are more popular than 4 doors. the RS series are starting to get hard to find. they do show up on ebay etc but can be tatty. good ones are not cheap. i think they weight about 850 kilos or so, so they are not heavy. they dont need a ton of power to make them quick, and the handling is sensational.

good luck.

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Kerb weights:

Mk2 Escort

L 2 door 2L - 955kg
L 2 door 1.6L - 925kg
GL 4 door 2L - 978kg
GL 4 door 1.6L - 948kg
GHIA 2L - 1003kg
VAN 2L - 938kg
VAN 1.6L- 908kg

Auto trans adds 4.5kg

1976 rs2000 - 919.5kg

Not sure about the RS2000, but it wouldn't be much different to the above I'd guess.

I'd personally get something basic, like a L or GL if you're going to do an engine swap, an auto 1600 L isn't worth much, even if it's in excellent condition, and the auto has the bigger trans tunnel for putting in a more modern transmission. Although if you could get your hands ona good Ghia, that way you'll get the better instrument cluster.

One of the worst places for rust is the heater dome, as well as all the spots RSgerry mentioned.

And yes, as was said about, you don't need much power to get them moving, and the handling is absolutely sensational!

Get one, you won't regret it I'm sure! I know I'll be getting another one sooner or later

[jcxr]

Ive never owned one but rented a few !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Craig]

Originally Posted by jcxr

Ive never owned one but rented a few !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL, thought the same thing when i saw the Heading.................... : : :

[GRNKPR]

Originally Posted by jcxr

Ive never owned one but rented a few !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The two door or four dorr and do they charge extra for a grease and oil change : : : : : : :

[jcxr]

grnkpr, u going to epping show on cupday

[brenx]

I've had three. A 2*2.0lt 2 doors and a 2.0lt 2 door RS2000. I found them to be very reliable but I'm talking when they were 10yo not 20yo+. A bit weak in the gearbox and diff. Rust in the firewalls a big issue.

If they are still as good as I remember? Definately a fun car.

[XPcoupe]

Yep had a yellow RS2000 2 door, I should not have sold it. Excellent car. easy to work on. one day I will buy one again.

Trouble putting a new motor in, is the new motors are design for Front wheel drive, so you will have a bit of fun turning everything around.

[Dezza]

My nanna used to have a MkII Ghia 2.0 2 door, and it was in perfect condition. It rarely got driven, and therefore had low milage (I forget how much it had done). The only thing I didn't like about it was that the speedo was in MPH. Pity it got sold about 5 years ago. There wasn't a scratch on it. This car got me interested in Escorts, particularily the MkII.

[big_pete]

my first car was a MK2 escort.
loved it. such a fun car. i wish i still had it

sounded wicked with a 2inch exhaust and extractors!!!

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by big_pete

my first car was a MK2 escort.
loved it. such a fun car. i wish i still had it

sounded wicked with a 2inch exhaust and extractors!!!

They sure do sound good with extractors and an exhaust, even stock they sound suprisingly good.

Some videos from my old 2L Mk II Escort before I sold it, make sure your speakers are turned up and the volume is turned up ;)
Playing with the go pedal with it parked and not in gear, watching the tacho
0 to 60km/h, just letting the clutch out gently at about 1000rpm

I miss that car, can't wait to get another 2L Escort...

[zetec]

Nothing like a Mk II with a heavily worked 2.0L Zetec twin cam.... mmmm twin throttle bodies.... mmmmmmm Escort.

[4.0i_SiX]

I miss my lil escort

such a fun car and they handle like theyre on rails

[blitzmile]

check out my thread on 'escort engine choice.' theres a bit of talk about sr20's and a couple of pics of an esky with an sr20det in it.