Cortina Model Differences

Honro · 23-05-2013, 05:10 PM

Hi All,

Just thought id ask question as ive read many conflicting posts both on here and other forums.

Bit of background;

Im looking to build my own V8 Cortina. Ive spoken with my engineer (in ACT), and ive been given the ok to put a 6LT (363) V8 into it. So ive decided to go with a stroked Windsor.

My question is;

What is the difference between TC 4cyl & TC 6cyl?
What is the difference between TD 4cyl & TC 6cyl?

Ive been told the firewall in some models is different, and apparently the tunnel is bigger in the 4cyl models? Can anyone please confirm any of this before I buy the car?

Thank you!

svo supporter · 23-05-2013, 06:31 PM

Using a bad memory, the difference I found between a 4 and 6 cyl cortina was the gearbox mount in the tunnel was in the wrong spot....It had to be moved backwards when fitting a 6 into a 4 cyl shell....Otherwise, the firewall was the same and the tunnel was the same....

FWIW, a 6 cyl gearbox is larger than a 4 banger one....

Neale · 23-05-2013, 10:37 PM

Im no expert but here's what Wikipedia says

The TC six-cylinder models had twin 5" headlights which distinguished them from the four-cylinder cars which had single 7" sealed beam headlights on each side. To hold the larger engines, the chassis had reinforced side rails and centre pillar, and a tubular crossmember support under the transmission. In addition, the firewall panels were shaped to accommodate the longer engines and wider bell housing, and were manufactured from thicker metal. This change was spread across the Cortina range so that the four-cylinder models benefited too. But this was not enough to prevent the additional front mass of the larger engines causing roll steer, resulting in relatively unsophisticated handling by today's standards, especially on rough roads. Braking was also an issue under harsh conditions.

Both the TC and TD six-cylinder models were immediately recognised over the four-cylinder versions by the raised 'power bulge' in the center of the bonnet. Basic transmission for the six-cylinder model was originally a three-speed manual floor shift, with a four-speed Borg-Warner single rail transmission available, taken straight from the Falcon GT. Also available was a Borg-Warner M35 three-speed automatic across all models. From 1976 the six-cylinder engines featured a revised crossflow cylinder head, keeping in line with the Falcon.

svo supporter · 23-05-2013, 11:09 PM

Another thing that has jogged the memory bank....The Radiator on a 6 banger sits closer to the grill, when compared to the 4 banger....

TC200six · 23-05-2013, 11:27 PM

From looking over my 6-cylinder Cortina, I can confirm the following differences from the 4-cylinder.

Different firewall.
Tubular cross member under gearbox.
Crossflow radiator which is also cut into the front bar.
Bonnet bulge
4 headlights (TC only)

As for that paragraph on Wikipedia. shesh! It appears there are plenty of armchair experts regarding the six cylinder Cortina getting around the net and I can tell you they don't roll at all. Understeer is all that there is.

max_torq · 24-05-2013, 09:33 AM

There are also some swaybar differences.

The TC 6 cylinder has a front swaybar with mounts that bolt to the chassis rails, and no rear swaybar. All of the TDs have a rear swaybar and no front swaybar. The TC four has no factory swaybars at all.

The front crossmember in 6 cylinder TD also has bracing bars between the upper spring perch, and the engine mount on both sides of the car, probably the TD four has this same crossmember not sure.

Get a cortina cornering under power and they will generate roll that unpeels the back end sends it to oversteer. The transition from understeer to oversteer is not pleasant. The rear bar turns this into a smoother slide. Basically they do not handle at all well in stock form.

I have a TD cortina hillclimb car and have dismantled quite a few. Honro, I am in the ACT, if you want to have a look at mine (I have TC and TD bars in mine) send a PM.

Honro · 24-05-2013, 12:29 PM

Hi all, thankyou for all the great info guys, was exactly what i was looking for!

Just wanted to clarify this though

Quote:

This change was spread across the Cortina range so that the four-cylinder models benefited too

As i read it, its saying that the TD 4 Cyl also got the change to the firewall and body strengthening as well? Not the TC?

Thanks for that max_torq, I might PM you next week as im stuck at work :(

max_torq · 24-05-2013, 12:34 PM

Yes, the TD cortina with the 2L had the notched fire wall. It is strange because you can see the bellhousing and gearbox from the engine bay.

max_torq · 24-05-2013, 12:40 PM

Actually, not sure that the TD 2L has the tubular bar under the bellhousing. If you are looking for a car to suit the V8 best to check all this stuff before you buy it. There was probably some interchange of parts going on, as the models changed.

Another thing is that the higher models had alot of chrome that fixed to pins in the bodywork. The 'L' bodies are a lot cleaner when it comes to respraying etc, but then the XLE has the tacho dash and the electrical loom to suit it.

Honro · 24-05-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max_torq

Actually, not sure that the TD 2L has the tubular bar under the bellhousing. If you are looking for a car to suit the V8 best to check all this stuff before you buy it. There was probably some interchange of parts going on, as the models changed.

Another thing is that the higher models had alot of chrome that fixed to pins in the bodywork. The 'L' bodies are a lot cleaner when it comes to respraying etc, but then the XLE has the tacho dash and the electrical loom to suit it.

Thats exactly what im tryin to do mate, get some facts lol. I was told that the firewalls did vary and so did the bellhousing.

What im trying to figure out is which of the models had the most room given the changes to the firewall & bellhousing!

max_torq · 25-05-2013, 11:32 AM

It's just that by the time you get to the TD their could be 2l pintos in 6 cylinder shells, and other cars could have been subject to modifications post factory. It is probably necessary to avoid the 4 cylinder TC, and there are some additional mods in the TD compared to the 6 cylinder TC that may make them more suitable for your purpose. The TC uses toploader and the TD single rail boxes, they are about the same size, there may even be a variation for autos; I've never seen one. You may be aware that the Cortina uses a special variation of the single-rail 4 speed with the shifter closer to the bell.

Kevxr8Leexr6 · 30-05-2013, 10:55 AM

Gots some pics of mine, may give you a hand in spotting the differences to the 4 cyl

max_torq · 05-06-2013, 05:18 PM

KevXR6, you know, that's just a bit different to mine..

notched firewall

tubular crossmember

this is the reinforcement piece on the front crossmember of the six cylinder cars

Kevaclone · 09-06-2013, 08:31 PM

The TC/TD was also available in a 3.0L V6. but never sold here, I have seen imports from Sth Africa with the V6, the TC 4 was available as either a 1600cc or 2000cc, 3 speed man/4speed man/3speed auto.... also available as a 6 seater with a front bench(My sister had one). The V6 models came with the Original Pommy 4cyl firewall but I don't know what mods were done for the extra weight/torque

One other thing to watch is the starter motor on 6cyl models, more specifically the location of the solenoid. standard Falcon starter the solenoid will hit the trans tunnel edge

erniech · 10-09-2020, 09:22 PM

G'Dat,
Can anyone tell me if you are able to tell engine type and transmission type from the plates on a TE Cortina.
Cheers,
Erniech

stock1991 · 10-09-2020, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erniech

G'Dat,
Can anyone tell me if you are able to tell engine type and transmission type from the plates on a TE Cortina.
Cheers,
Erniech

short answer yes,is it Australian delivered ? , NZ in old cars have their own thing

erniech · 11-09-2020, 05:21 AM

Yes, I am talking about an Australian Cortina TE.
Also, does an Australian TE Cortina have a number stamped on the shell/body that should match the plates on the radiator/bonnet support...and if so...where would I find it?

Cheers

erniech · 11-09-2020, 04:29 PM

I am looking at a TE Cortina body I am interested in buying.
It has "F" in the engine box and "L" in the Transmission box.
Can anyone tell what these letters stand for.

Cheers,

Erniech

stock1991 · 12-09-2020, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erniech

I am looking at a TE Cortina body I am interested in buying.
It has "F" in the engine box and "L" in the Transmission box.
Can anyone tell what these letters stand for.

Cheers,

Erniech

Seems I have failed you, it is true I am unfamiliar with cortinas except u mean the 9 second ones in conversation

fmc351 · 07-04-2021, 12:48 AM

Just for some clarity, there used to be a guy on this forum with links or copies of the original write ups from when the 6 Cyl Cortina was released in Aus. No, not the posts, the articles.

Do a search here, I recall the poster putting the articles up (Qlder IIRC, had a V8 TC Cortina, might have been something like a sky blue but we're testing the old memory here). Was an interesting read, including the Wheels magazine road test averaging 80mph before speed limits testing it from Melbourne to Sydney (or the other way) They liked it, a lot. But he had the re-engineering write up from the time too.

One article went over the redesign in some detail and basically if memory serves me, the earliest TCs were all 4s and had the original UK designed firewall etc. During its first year in Aus Ford re-engineered and tested a fair bit to get the straight six in and then more work to make it drive right and it was released by 73 as a 6.

Once Ford Aus re-engineered them, all Aussie Cortinas got the same firewall (its cheaper that way), whether 4 or 6. The cross members were different and the pipe between the chassis was added to the 6 near the bell housing (bonnet and notch in rad support for the rad too). My 73 TC 250 XLE had all of those and Girlock brakes. IIRC most 6s had better brake calipers too, but that might just be Ford fitting what they had from either Girlock, PBR or FoMoCo, and/or people swapping in better calipers or whatever a wrecker had.

The earliest 4cyl firewall made for a better V8 conversion for balance from what I recall too. Makes sense, its kind of two side by side 4s sharing a crank ... almost. So that would mean the exotic coupes would do better in V8 than the Aussie 6 as they would all have the original UK firewall.

They had their issues, like all old tech did. Most modern reviews are by button mashers who rely on rev limiters to keep an engine together and traction control to make it appear like they can drive, but truth is, they cant, the car covers up their limitations. Idiotproofs them. I mean I read one review where the muppet said the 4.1 spun its wheel at the slightest provocation as it had so much torque in a light weight.

Lol, its got no traction control, which means it needs an experienced foot.