Answering a few Questions

I've received an email from someone who is in the process of fitting a Zetec engine into a Spitfire and he has asked me a few questions so I thought I would make a blog entry to answer him that way it is here if anyone else is after the same advice!

I won't mention his name as I haven't asked his permission but if after reading this he wants me to mention him then I will. Maybe he has a few pictures of his project?

Anyway... On to question one...

1. Can you change the water pump without removing the timing belt?
No, even though the water pump is run by the outer belt, you will still need to remove the cam belt to change it. To be honest, it is a good opportunity to change the cam belt and tensioner anyway whilst you have the engine apart.

2. Engine mounts, can you buy a set that would fit or do I need to fabricate my own?
You will probably need to fabricate your own engine mounts unless you are lucky and can find some that will do the job. I didn't really look around for anything but there may be some ford mounts around than can be modified. I was originally attempting to use the left hand mount from the Mondeo and build a bracket off of that but it all looked too clumsy and the mounts I've made are perfect and neat. I am using poly bushes in them though which may make the engine vibration become apparent whilst in the car but hey this car isn't being built for comfort so what if it vibrates a bit!

3. Can I use use me full width spitfire radiator? Would I need a header tank?
I don't personally know much about radiators and their cooling abilities so I can't say for sure if a Spitfire radiator will be adequate. I do know that the Ford engine requires a certain temperature range to run well so too much cooling is as bad (probably not) as not enough. My digital dashboard will be displaying my water temperature so I'll find out if the radiator I've gone for is good enough. My main thing when choosing the radiator was one that had the inlet and outputs on the same side so my pipework was neat. I've bought a water rail that fits along the side of the engine and has it's own filler cap and thermostat housing, so I'm not fitting a header tank. If you are just going with the standard thermostat housing on the back of the engine (you'll be modifying ur bulkhead then!) then either you need a radiator with it's own filler cap like the Triumph ones or you will need a header tank.

4. What is Megabolt ignition? Can I use the standard Mondeo one?
Do you mean Megajolt? It's basically an ECU designed by the same lot who did Megasquirt but it only controls the spark side of the engine not the fuel injection. I'm assuming you would be able to use the Ford ECU but for all the other stuff it controls in a Mondeo I don't know if it can be trimmed down to do what you need. I know the Megasquirt setup is £300 (maybe different now) but it does do the ignition and the fuel injection and is completely controllable and programmable with a laptop. If you want to know about using the Ford ECU then there are loads of lads who swap these type of engines around all the time and will be able to help you. Try www.pistonheads.com

5. Can I use the standard pressure plate that comes with the 2ltr?
I changed my flywheel to one out of an 1800 so I've bought all new clutch and pressure plate but I'm sure you can get away with the one you have already.

6. Did you need to use any spacers for the release bearing?
I bought my release bearing and spacer from Burton Power but I had a mechanic mate looking over my shoulder and saying "that one will probably do" so I don't know what size spacer I needed. I think it comes down to the clutch that you use. We basically did a very rough measurement of the gap between the lever and the plate and bought a spacer/bearing setup that was the nearest. Again, a bit trial and error but most of this stuff is!

7. What did you use to plumb the oil, a kit or home made?
I'm not sure what you mean by this, if you mean the oil filter remote then that is made by a company called Mocal - I can't remember which website I actually bought it from. You need to fit the oil filter in a remote position as it is right in the way of the front turret. The pipes have yet to be made but I will be getting braided pipes from somewhere local to me. The oil cooler I'm using is just one I had on an old Mini years ago and had kicking around.

8. Did you end up with just 3 pulleys for the serpentine belt, crank, alternator and water pump? Any tensioner required?
Yes, just three pulleys. This is why you have to change the water pump for one from an 1800 because in the original setup, where it was also running power steering, then the back of the pulley ran over the pump. In this setup the belt runs the other way round the water pump so it is rotating the opposite way. The pump from an 1800 has the fins round the other way so is designed for running in the direction you need. You will need a toothed pulley for the water pump. I think Burton Power supplied mine.

I hope I have answered the questions sufficiently, if not email me again and I will have another go!