I've decided I need a donor for the part built 2B I bought, as there were no documents for the original donor parts and I want to avoid getting a Q plate. Also some of my donor parts really are in a state, or are completely missing.

 

Trouble is - there are loads of 2 litre Sierras but I don't know how to tell which are Pinto-engined from the age and model number.

 

The reason I ask is that so few come up for sale in my area (Eastbourne) that I've resorted to duplicating a 'Can I buy your Sierra' message and leaving it on windscreens! Obviously I'd like to avoid wasting people's time by not targetting the wrong 2 litre cars.

 

I know to avoid XR4x4 and injection models (I don't want that complication) but other than that how can I tell from outside if it will be a pinto or a DOHC? Is it an age thing? Is there any reason to avoid estates or Sapphires?

 

Cheers,

Neil

Dude,

 

The DOHC engines came in after '89 IIRC. They can be easily detected by the existance of rear disk brakes. Even the basic carb model without ABS had these.

 

That's a good rule of thumb anyway. Someone's bound to correct me...

 

Cheers

 

JonB

 

PS, try the Eastbourne Friday AD, eg : "FORD SIERRA 4x4, alloy wheels, good runner, steering fault, spares or repair £100 ono 01323 768773" OK, its 4x4 but its bound to be Pinto based for that money and it has LSD I think. Just get a RWD gearbox from the scrappie and off you go. You can always phone and ask if the exhaust is on the driver's side or not. Driver's side = Pinto, Passenger's side = DOHC.

 

http://www.car-ad.co.uk/Home.asp

The DOHC engines came in after '89 IIRC. They can be easily detected by the existance of rear disk brakes. Even the basic carb model without ABS had these.

 

That's a good rule of thumb anyway. Someone's bound to correct me...

mine was an 89 G reg. 2L DOHC GL carb donor, this had rear drum brakes. (sorry Jon)

The DOHC engine was introduced to the sierra in August 89 to replace the 2L SOHC, the CVH engine replaced the 1.6 and 1.8 SOHC engines in 91.

So I would guess the car would have to be looking for pre 89 (G plate) for it to be a 2L pinto.

 

Les

Hmm,

 

All useful stuff. Is there a problem with emissions tests with any particular age of engines? I read somewhere that engines before a certain year don't need the more stringent tests, but can't find where I read it.

I would go for an 85 (C reg) or earlier 2.0L non injection and you get all the desirable engine/electrical bits that make building less of a hassle.

 

Nigel

I think I'd go for a DOHC to be honest. They're more efficient and have a better torque curve than a pinto. Ask Robin Hood if the DOHC kit is still available. It has the Super Spec chassis which is supposed to be stronger than the 2B (so the sky's pretty much the limit as far as how much power it can handle) and the exhaust is on the passenger side (for that all important future upgrade to Vx power). I spent a long time looking at 2B build sites before committing to doing it myself and o far I reckon the DOHC is easier to build.

 

Alot of people rubbish the poor old DOHC engine but personally I'd choose it over the Pinto any day (unless I wanted to get more power out of it - performance manifolds do not exist for this engine). Actually its got more power to begin with.

 

Time will tell. The first 2B DOHC to pass SVA will be along soon. It belongs to a chap called Steve Altwasser and his SVA is on Oct 3rd. He has the injection engine (125bhp IIRC) in his - I have the 105bhp carb one. Of course, gatting a donor for free kind of forced my hand a little...

 

ATB

 

JonB

 

Edit : Oh duuuhhhhhhh! What am I on about?? You already have the kit.... what a divvie I am.... Les can tell you what the DOHC is like - he's got one in his (pinto based kit)....

Edited September 4, 200322 yr by Jon Bradbury

bY RHE saying the chassis is stronger for the DOHC kit the same as the super spek i would also read heavier???

you can get 150bhp out of a pinto with a bit of work and money... mine is a vulcan engineering supplied unit and they quote a fiqure of 150bhp for it they also do a 160bhp version, so you can get the power out it is just how much you want to do or spend.

regards

Mark Kingston

Problem solved fellers,

 

Just found a basic 2-litre Pinto F-reg Sierra with 93000 miles, sound all round but for rusty sills, under £100.

 

DOHCs and Vx and all these other options sound very attractive, but being a newbie I think I'll stick to the basics to start with, and get adventurous when I've got a bit more experience (and a burn mark on my leg)!

 

Cheers for all the tips

 

Nelly

Mark

 

Yes I imagine it is heavier. It uses thicker walled pipe for one thing, although comparing the 2B chassis pictures it looks as if there is less of it. Yet it is heavier for a reason - so it can take 200 bhp from the turbo version.

 

Why don't you come over to mine and have a look? It would be intersting to go over yours one more time.

 

Cheers

JonB

 

PS, Well done nelly - your journey begins....