I hope it's OK to do this, but I don't have a Robin Hood car, but your site seems to be the most active I can find with people using the Ford 2.0 DOHC engine...

 

I'm trying to get data on the carb version of the above engine because (and this is going to sound insane!) I want to use it as a temporary engine in my vintage car (which I can't currently afford to rebuild the original engine of). I've "chosen" this engine because remarkably enough it "looks" very similar to the original and has a nice low speed peak torque rpm (2000rpm I believe).

I wondered if any of you have used this engine in your Robin Hood and have pictures and dimensions (width, height, length etc). I suspect most of you have used the EFI version, but I don't want to do that. Does the carb version still use an EEC?

I'll try and attach a low res picture of my existing car engine bay and engine in situ - and yes I know the induction system/exhaust is the other way round but I think I can sort that as long as I have enough room for the intake manifold and carb (may be tight with the steering column).

 

Your help would be much appreciated!

 

 

Simon

Hello Simon

 

I have a DOHC in my Robin Hood but its not finished yet so I cannot tell you what its like. However, I can offer a few dimensions (rough ones that is). Not including the radiator or gearbox, it measures about 2'x2'x2' (two cubic feet) - and that does include the carb and manifold, plus some space for the bottom radiator hose (PS, doesn't include Sierra engine mounts).

 

Obviously the engine isn't cube shaped, it'll stick out more in some places than others, if you get my drift but...

 

I'd say that if your car has, say, at least 2.5 cubic feet in the engine bay you'll be OK, but of course you should pop off to a breaker's yard to measure up just to be sure. My engine bay is 34 inches across at the scuttle end and 27 inches across the radiator end, with a length between these points of 27 inches. The DOHC just fits in with all anciliaries. The only modification so far required is the alternator mount, see my website for details ("WWW" button below this post). There are alot of pictures there.

 

Also, there's this site : Crustworld

 

The guy that runs it is a real Sierra enthusiast and you can contact him off the webpage. There is a section on the various Sierra engine configurations too which you may find interesting to read.

 

There are a few RHOCaR members who have shoehorned this engine into the Robin Hood kit designed for the Pinto based Sierra by the way - my kit is DOHC specific.

 

Regards

 

JonB

If the inlet and exhaust are the wrong way round on the DOHC engine, have you considderd using the Pinto engine from the older Sierra? most Robin Hoods use this, the carb is on the left and the exhaust is on the right, it's also smaller.

 

Most of these engines use an ECU but if you use a Pinto engine you can fit a distributer assembly (dizy) with points in it.

 

I think all the DOHC engines were injection.

Thanks Jon and Guy.

Jon - very helpful, thanks, I've checked out your site and the only really worrying looking dimensions to me look like the carb and manifold assy. Would you be able to do me a huge favour and measure 2 things? - the top of head to crank centreline and the centre of head to "most sticky out bit" of carb and intake assy (sorry to get technical!). I presume from your site that the carb version does indeed use the EEC module...rats!

Guy - a very reasonable suggestion about the Pinto, that I've rejected for unreasonable reasons!! (mainly the torque curve and "similarity" to the original 1927 DOHC engine). No, there was a carb version as evidenced by Jon's reply. thanks very much for the reply though (and I know it's the sensible thing to do really, which I may end up doing!) Look at my picture of the original engine though - can't you just "see" a Ford DOHC nestling in there?!

 

Simon

I'd have thought the measurements of my engine bay would be enough.

 

If you don't have this much space you will probably not be able to fit the engine in your car. Its that tight a fit in my chassis.

 

It needs the EEC module to do the timing advance / retard etc. There are no points as such and it has a toothed thing around the crank with a position sensor. If you don't have the module I reckon you'll not get it to run at all.

 

You're stuck with the Ford inlet manifold / carb as well unless you're able to fabricate your own manifold - there are no tuning companies that do these for the DOHC.

 

I will try and get some measurements for you next time I'm in the garage.

Thanks Jon - sorry to put you to the trouble.

Like most packaging issues I reckon the devils in the details and my problem area is bound to be around the carb/manifold area. I don't think it's looking good which is a shame. I may need to go the Pinto route (or another engine altogether).

 

Thanks

 

Simon

Hi Simon,

Could I ask what car you are trying to install this engine in ??

Terry

Of course you can Terry!

It's a 1927 (that's the year not cc!) Lagonda high chassis sports tourer.

I've kinda avoided saying what it is to avoid the "you must be mad type comments!...) I only intend to do this to get my much loved car back on the road whilst I do an engine rebuild on the original Lagonda 2.0 DOHC carb engine (see - nothing's new). The trouble is my own engine rebuild is going to take a long time and cost £5000 plus in parts - I will do it eventually to preserve the originality and value of the car, but slotting a Ford DOHC in looked at first sight as if it might be an easy interim solution (obviously without making any mods to the car itself to spoil originality).

However, I'm beginning to think that it won't fit because of a potential foul between the steering column on my car and the Ford carb/manifold assy (see my low res picture at beginning of thread).

 

 

Simon

Simon

 

to avoid the "you must be mad type comments!...)

 

Us on here are building Robin Hood's, how can we judge you!

 

But how would you mate the engine to your gearbox and the clutch to the gearbox drive shaft?

 

It would probably be cheaper to just rebuild your engine if its only 5k

 

Dave

PS I KNOW I am mad

Dave,

the gearbox of my car is an entirely separate unit coupled to the engine via a very un-sophisticated mini prop shaft - my assumption is that I can easily cobble up a new shaft to mate with the Ford DOHC unit - literally a few hours fabrication and welding. The clutch may be more problematical as I haven't actually seen the Ford DOHC unit but I was again assuming that I could use part or modify the bellhousing to get a normal actuation -- this assumes that the clutch output shaft is supported by a bearing somewhere (as the original is) - if not I would either have to arrange a new bearing surface or (more likely!) forget the whole thing.

As I said it's probably all getting too hard - my original thinking was that I've got plenty of time over the winter to do the engineering on a free Ford DOHC donor, but not the money to get other people to make new camshafts, con rods, pistons, rebore the original engine etc

 

Oh well....

 

Simon

Well, I've decided to risk it having made as many measurements as I could in scrap yards etc and I pick up a GLX 2.0 DOHC carb Sierra today!

There will be all the running gear over (discs all round, radiator, diff etc) so if anyone needs bits let me know...

 

Regards,

 

Simon

Hi again Simon,

 

I just got a 2l DOHC Sierra a couple of weeks ago to use as the family run about, I've put new valve oil seals in it and I've got an MOT booked for this Friday. I know it will need rear disks and at least one rear brake caliper (it's leaking) and maybe other things as well.

 

where abouts are you?