Viva Engine to essex Engine

[demonteddy]

Hi, I am tempted to change the engine and gearbox on my Viva HC
Its a 1159 but I just cant get it to run right also the gearbox is naff.
I have been offered a basic 1300cc engine and gearbox which came out of an Escort mk2 and is running fine
My question is... To fit the engine and box will it go straight in and can I use the Viva prop?
I know I will have to use the exhaust from the escort my Viva exhaust is full of holes anyway.

Bill (nearly a member Cheque Already in the post to Fred)

[demonteddy]

Figured out the engine and box will fit in with a bit of modification.
Still cant find out whether the viva prop fits straight on.
Going to do a full service on the 1159 engine as soon as I can locate
service parts If its still the same I will have pull the engine and gearbox out:(

Bill

[Po79]

Hi Bill,

Do you mean 1300cc Kent engine? The Essex was a 3ltr V6.

I put a 2ltr Pinto into my HC, made my own engine mounts and converted the gearbox mount to suit but it wasn't until after that someone told me that I could have used Ford X-flow (Kent) mounts as these are a direct fit.

However as I never used the mounts I cannot say for sure this is true but if it is the case then you might find it an easy conversion to do.

The Kent engine is smaller than the Pinto I used and that didn't take much to fit into the engine bay!

I don't think you will be able to use the propshaft though but you can send yours off and get it converted or have a new one built and if you have both propshafts you will have all the parts require to do either. mine cost about £150 including postage.

I used The Propshaft Clinic but there are plenty of other companies out there and one might be close to you.

Po.

[demonteddy]

Thanks for the information po
Would like to fix the 1159cc engine but if all else fails its the cheeper route
to change engine to the 1300cc kent ( would like a 1600cc tho:))
Only got drum brakes on the front thats why I was only going to fit a 1300cc

Bill

[Po79]

No problem,

One thing you might want to think about is that as soon as you change an engine to a different size and or to one that is from a different manufacturer (or both) your car will be classed as a modified car, you will need to change the log book and your insurance company might want an engineers report to show the engine is fitted correctly.

Its easy enough to do but its something you need to be sure you want to do, I didn't think about the change in tax bands and am now paying £200 a year, plus my insurance has more than doubled.

Or do it and not tell anyone but if you are involved in an accident or the police do a routine check you may find youself in hot water

Anyway good luck with whatever you end up doing.

Po.

[frankengeep]

Hi Bill,
I did a conversion back in 1978 which involved fitting a 1500 gt cortina engine and box.
Engine was mounted slightly further forward to allow the gear lever to match up to the existing hole. The radiator set back brackets were reduced accordingly.
Exhaust was a 4.2.1 type which required a bit of a bodge to get it in, passenger side.
Propshaft is always going to be a specialist job. with the new front and the old back parts, and a careful bit of measuring . It could be possible to have one made locally for £50 upwards. It is after all just a piece of pipe but a skilled job to set it up, weld and balance. Remember to have your car on the ground when you measure and allow a bit for the sliding yoke.
Electrics are straight forward.

Always wish I.d took and kept pictures but they would have been sepia in those days

Boyd

[hbpeter]

Have a look on the forum for thread about fitting a 1600 x-flow to a HB, very straight forward. Or you could swap for a known good 1159 engine. Think Opelscott might have one.

Peter

[demonteddy]

Hi Thanks for all the input, Didnt think about it being classed as modified,
I can only work on the car when its not raining, I am going to do a full service on the engine see if that helps
The gearbox is also no good I will put a 1259 gearbox in
And my exhaust is blowwing so I need to take it off and weld it up

Will have to be carefull what modifications I make
Still in the thinking mode
Hopefully No rain tomorrow and get some work done on her.

Thanks again for the replies

Bill

[GTpete]

This was a friend's GT, it was based on a rare competition shell with unique chassis number, located on top of of the lefthand side of the dashboard. It was then road registered on a 'J' plate. It had metal extended wheel arches, a front racing upper front anti roll bar, Ventora discs etc. It was first fitted with a Lotus Slant 2.2 16v twin cam, then changed to a 3.0 Essex V6. Engine fitted well as its only 3 cylinders long. I assume it would be quite rare nowadays, so maybe a 2.8 would be a better option. Sadly the GT was scrapped in the 80's, I salvaged some spares....