79 sundowner (wooo 1st post)

[sunnyside]

Hey guys im in need of a fair bit of help just scored a 79 sundowner with minimal rust so pretty stoked : . The plan is to restore it to look original decals and all with a 2ltr zetec powering it. Dad wanted to keep the 2ltr pinto but its not matching numbers so i got my way : . So i think i'll be on these forums a fair bit for help. I have a many many questions at the moment so ill start with some be easy ones.

1. Did they all come with rally packs? Found the wiring for the extra lights that sits on the front left of the engine bay.
2. what wreckers in brisbane sell 2ltr zetec's? Looked on ebay but there's only a 1.8 at the moment.
3. Is using the focous/mondeo loom and ecu the simplest(sp?) method or can i keep the old loom?
4. Any aussie supplier's of the conversion kits or do i have to get them from the UK?
5. Did the sunny use mk2 2door doors or mk2 4door doors(the front ones obviously) mine dont seem to look right

Well that will do for tonight start a new job in the morning. thanks in advance for any help will post some pics once its freshly painted hopefully in the next few weeks
Steve

[outback_ute]

Welcome to the Forums Steve!

Still learning myself re Zetec conversions but I doubt much of the engine wiring loom will be of use. Probably the simplest way of doing it would be using an aftermarket ecu.

The panelvans didn't change except for front sheetmetal for the Mk2, so you will need Mk1 doors.

[allanv6gt]

Also, suspect MK2 panel vans had unique front guards. Refer curvature of Mk1 Vs Mk2 !! I can't see how the square Mk2 guard would match the curves of the Mk1 doors. Gurus pls advise.......

[fpv_escort]

mk1 and mk2 vans are basically the same except for the doors forward. I.e, mk2 van parts are interchangable from the doors back.

MK2 van doors will fit any mk1 2 door or mk1 van.

Seems strange, but a very good idea!!

Has anyone ever seen a mk1 van with bubble arches?? Because I have a van with them on now. Look out, i'll post some pics up soon to show you how tough it makes one look!!!

Also, try not to melester a genuine sundowner too much, there aren't many around.

Cheers

[sunnyside]

i am anti molestering would love to leave it stock. The problem with this is the van is nothing original on it thats worth keeping. The dash the steering wheel the gear box there all f&*ked . Also the 2ltr that came with it is not matching and also seized. If not for these minor problems we would leave it original. The plan is to make it look like this one but yellow(hope this works).

[whooligan]

There are quite a few difference in the vans. Door hinges changed on the MK 2s so side doors are NOT interchangeable, but rear doors are.
I owned 2 late model Sundowners (one very late 1982) which was fitted with all the rally pack bits and a quickshifter. I suspect they sold off all the option stuff as they were still being sold well after the sedans had been sold off.
Sundowners are rare and suffered badly from rust and all the other aspects of panel vans....ie carting all kinds of krap about over the years. Good luck fitting a Zetec. I have a Zetec powered Escort that I'm preparing for the track and its an awesome car.

[Zetec_RS]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

Welcome to the Forums Steve!

Still learning myself re Zetec conversions but I doubt much of the engine wiring loom will be of use. Probably the simplest way of doing it would be using an aftermarket ecu.

You had better enquire with your relevant authorities regarding non OEM ECU etc. In SA I'm required to run the OEM inlet, ECU and sensors for engineering.

Cheers

[outback_ute]

Very good point - something that varies by state whether it is open slather or you have to meet the emissions regs of the donor motor. Best to do homework first!

[Escort_RPDriver]

if it was me i would just buy or rebuild the 2.0L if you drop a zetec in a sundowner you will just be destroying it.

just becoause it's not a maching numbers car means nothing there would be quite a few old GT and RS cars out there without an original motor all that really mater is that you leave it a 2.0L but this is just my opinion.

But at the end of the day its your car and you should do what you want with it.

I also would be interested to know about the extra wiring being there for the driving lights, if all escorts had them or not because my Ghia has them

[KJMibus]

I have a Sundowner which I bought from interstate, and it's not a problem to get an aftermarket motor matching for registration. I am with 'Escort_RPDriver' - leave the 2L in there :-)

[Polyal]

The pinto is a good motor but if its his first car and will be no doubt driving it heaps, id go the Zetec any day of the week. Just easier to live with once installed properly.

I assume you buy classicford and retro ford mags from the UK? Ive found them to be great for info on little bits and pieces. Ask for some back copies of any engine conversions; usually its step by step aswell.

[cos140]

Originally Posted by whooligan

There are quite a few difference in the vans. Door hinges changed on the MK 2s so side doors are NOT interchangeable, but rear doors are.
I owned 2 late model Sundowners (one very late 1982) which was fitted with all the rally pack bits and a quickshifter. I suspect they sold off all the option stuff as they were still being sold well after the sedans had been sold off.
Sundowners are rare and suffered badly from rust and all the other aspects of panel vans....ie carting all kinds of krap about over the years. Good luck fitting a Zetec. I have a Zetec powered Escort that I'm preparing for the track and its an awesome car.

He is one expert on Escort Sundowners !