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Author Topic: Ford lotus cortina mk2  (Read 10322 times)

Offline higher1

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Ford lotus cortina mk2
« on: January 13, 2013, 05:47:36 pm »
Hi before you say it yes i know its not a mk5 its not even from the vag range but top cat was interested so how could i say no  :smiley:

I have 2 build threads on here one for my old mk5 and my current project mk1 golf 1.8t 20v

so this is my dads project car it wont be a quick rebuild as he's in no rush. its more of a hobby/retirement project.
Its a 1969 lotus cortina series 2

years ago dad was trained by ford so his love for fords started many years ago this carried on to his hobby of rallying he use to own a mk2 escort so when dad decided he wanted a project (which was spured on by my project golf) i started the hunt for a cortina now it had to be in useable condition but no show pony as the whole idea was for him to restore it, so when this one popped up online for sale a deal was done.

We collected the lotus from essex in a fair state its complete it runs and has everything it should do
It has been off the road since 1993!

I roped my mate into taking his trailer up so we could collect it sods law it rained the whole day long

some photos of us collecting it








it ran very lumpy and after checking the carbs ignition side of things and all the usual suspects the head was taken off.
an engine rebuild was 1st on the list anyway
a blown head gasket was found between number 2 and 3 cylinder






head off

and the mark from the blown headgasket a bit of carbon but not bad for a 44 year old
« Last Edit: January 13, 2013, 05:50:23 pm by higher1 »
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Offline higher1

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2013, 06:02:25 pm »
so he started to strip the head as its having a full rebuild


camshafts removed

buckets,shims valve springs and valves removed


the postman delivered a nice parcel this included -
new kent cams fast road so the power band starts nice and early making it a little bit nicer through the rev range
new valves
valve guides
valve springs
spring mounting washers
cam shaft bearings
all the studs



Ah-exclusive custom ultra low H&R Coilovers 110mm, ITG induction kit, 18" super RS's, USA rear bumper, USA front grille with smooth number plate surround,recaro bucket seats. now sold !

mk1 golf 1.8 20v turbo

Offline andybon

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2013, 06:12:26 pm »
Can't wait to see how this goes!  :drinking:
How hard can it be?

Offline Andy

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2013, 06:28:43 pm »
ooh very nice..got a soft spot for old fords;will the head be converted to run on unleaded petrol

Offline higher1

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2013, 06:33:07 pm »
ooh very nice..got a soft spot for old fords;will the head be converted to run on unleaded petrol

i have a soft spot for old fords to  :embarrassed: the valves are stainless steel and so are the valve seats so it will run unleaded without to many problems
Ah-exclusive custom ultra low H&R Coilovers 110mm, ITG induction kit, 18" super RS's, USA rear bumper, USA front grille with smooth number plate surround,recaro bucket seats. now sold !

mk1 golf 1.8 20v turbo

Offline SRC

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2013, 06:33:21 pm »
 :popcornsoda:
I've pulled up a comfy chair for this one.  The car's about the same age as me, but the Tincorner's bodywork's probably in better shape...


Shadow blue DSG 5 door with leather, sunroof, 18" Monzas, MFSW. 
Full list of mods:  Seat inserts and a VW bottle opener.  Each worth 20bhp.

Offline higher1

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2013, 06:38:32 pm »
:popcornsoda:
I've pulled up a comfy chair for this one.  The car's about the same age as me, but the Tincorner's bodywork's probably in better shape...

haha your only young then! the bodywork had a small rebuild in 1993 so its pretty straight but will be improved on but the mechanics etc take priority
Ah-exclusive custom ultra low H&R Coilovers 110mm, ITG induction kit, 18" super RS's, USA rear bumper, USA front grille with smooth number plate surround,recaro bucket seats. now sold !

mk1 golf 1.8 20v turbo

Offline andybon

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2013, 08:11:25 pm »
Just out of intrest, Where did you get it from. A lad my dad used to work with had one of these around the time you say and my dad (A paint sprayer/panel beater) painted it for him.
How hard can it be?

Offline Hedge

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2013, 08:22:11 pm »
Very nice mate. Hope your Dad enjoys his time with it.

It would have been something I would have enjoyed doing with mine if he were still with us.

Good luck.  :happy2:

Offline higher1

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2013, 08:43:20 pm »
Just out of intrest, Where did you get it from. A lad my dad used to work with had one of these around the time you say and my dad (A paint sprayer/panel beater) painted it for him.

It was around Colchester way that's as much as I can remember at the moment
Ah-exclusive custom ultra low H&R Coilovers 110mm, ITG induction kit, 18" super RS's, USA rear bumper, USA front grille with smooth number plate surround,recaro bucket seats. now sold !

mk1 golf 1.8 20v turbo

Offline Lone_Par

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2013, 08:45:35 pm »
Subscribed!

Offline higher1

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2013, 08:47:43 pm »
Very nice mate. Hope your Dad enjoys his time with it.

It would have been something I would have enjoyed doing with mine if he were still with us.

Good luck.  :happy2:

Thanks hedge its very nice working together I'm sure I will value the memories
Ah-exclusive custom ultra low H&R Coilovers 110mm, ITG induction kit, 18" super RS's, USA rear bumper, USA front grille with smooth number plate surround,recaro bucket seats. now sold !

mk1 golf 1.8 20v turbo

Offline rich83

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2013, 08:50:53 pm »
Subscribed!  :smiley:

Offline Nodz

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Re: Ford lotus cortina mk2
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2013, 08:51:37 pm »
Love the old Lotus Cortina's, looking forward to seeing her be put back to her former glory  :happy2:

Offline higher1

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Ah-exclusive custom ultra low H&R Coilovers 110mm, ITG induction kit, 18" super RS's, USA rear bumper, USA front grille with smooth number plate surround,recaro bucket seats. now sold !

mk1 golf 1.8 20v turbo