zetec engine aging

[danchaff]

i took delivery of a seiw starter kit in august, with the intention of fitting a 2.0 zetec engine with mt75 box. i have found a few engines from various sources but i am ideally after a pre 95 engine for the more relaxed emmisions as i am planning to run it with twin 45s. how easy is it to accurately calculate the age of an engine from the engine number or would i need the original vehicle details to be sure? also how much proof would the sva test require?

next daft question, as for the gearbox and diff, which donor car should i be looking at for the box and diff? hydraulic or cable clutch? and what are your opinions on diff ratios bearing in mind my engine?

any advice, criticisms or general insults would be greatly appreciated.

thanks dan.

[conibear]

Engine number will tell you and prove the SVA man age of engine. I am not clued up on dates but someone else will tell you, I think it's pre-august 95. IMO the type 9 is better than the MT75, co's theres more about that are re-conditioned and have there ratio's amended. Get an alloy bellhousing and it's weight is a tad lighter. Type 9's come's from an early Sierra or Cortina's I think. Also if you have an MT75 chasiss, installing a type 9 will enable you to get the engine back as far as possible, this would improve the cars balance, setup, handling and probably re-sale value. The IRS diff would come from a Sierra and ratios are only important if you match the gearbox ratios for your requirements. If you intend to track the car then get a 3.9 or 4.1 diff, preferably LSD (sierra 4X4 or eurpoean diesel) I think. And a gearbox to suit i.e. long 1st and close ratio. If it's for the road then do what you like IMO it won't make any difference really co's we have speed limits in this country. I think it's very important getting the ratios right, especially at the early build stages co's theres no point having 200bhp through a standard gearbox and diff, but you need to decide what you require at this stage track or road, but now is the time to be brave and commit money at it, your car will have a better value if you get the right advice now and make the right decisions. These are my opinions, but I am sure someone will be along soon with a different one. Oh, and go hydralic clutch Mondaostyle, its light feels light.

Good luck

Ian

[Ian Podmore]

The Burtons catalogue has all the engine code/age details you need.  I would think that someone will have copied it onto the www somewhere though.

[neilwillis]

For SVA, you need documentary proof of the age of any engine.   The burton catalogue is not enough.   Ford have a technical support service, and if you write to them with the serial number, they will confirm the date of manufacture.

Their address is:

Ford Technical Information Centre

PO Box 300

Walsall

WS5 4QH

Tel (charged at £1.00 per min) 0906 5533447

[Pembroke Pat]

I have a 2.0l zetec on twin 45s and I contacted the Mr Ford ( see previous reply).  They were brilliant and very quick.  Don't bother phoning them as it isn't worth the cost and you need the piece of paper to prove the age.

My car is on an age related plate.  Now I got the gearbox from a 2.0l GLSi sierra and the diff well shall we say I had to replace the diff on the sierra with one from a scrapped XR4 and then put it in the Westie (Honest)

The important thing is to have to docs for the car.  plus the gearbox and diff aren't numbered items so the DVLA can't prove anything.