My RWD solid axle front engine Escort MK2 build

[Frederik]

Here is a pic of the battery and charger, all that is from my girlfriend for Christmas gift pretty cool, I did not have any vintage HPI wheels and tires:

 

 

[fletch101]

Whu the hell jave you put this up!!!

You have inspired me. I think im gonna have to add one of these to the *thing to make* list .

usong yours as a guide . Very very gopd job on that mate!

[oodboo]

Whu the hell jave you put this up!!!

You have inspired me. I think im gonna have to add one of these to the *thing to make* list .

usong yours as a guide . Very very gopd job on that mate!

I hope you can make better than you can type

[Frederik]

Haha thanks a lot for the words mate! In fact this build came to me the same way, after seeing Trini2Dbone's RWD Escort build at scale4x4rc.org I could'n help but do my own. I loved the front engine/solid axle rear and had to try my own. I'll be glad if you keep the inspiration "chain" going lol!!

Small update! I ended up doing just a bit the other day, I started the second strut but this time instead of using a drill bit of the approximate bearing size (which was a bit too sloppy fit on the first strut) I put the 4 jaw chuck on the lathe, drilled a center, and bored the hole until perfect diameter. The bearings a just snug enough, night and day difference! Will likely end up doing the same on the other side, but later (for now the sloppy one still works lol).

I got a few things that interrupted me so I was not able to do more than that... And I'm away all week next week so there will likely not be much progress in the next days.

Thanks again for the comments and make sure to let me know when you start your build I love cars builds!

[Bigyeti007]

Mate your build is epic! I like many others just buy and occasionally make minor parts, but this is a work of art I've been following the thread and very very impressed! Can't wait for the next instalment

[Bicko]

C,mon Fred! Were all going Cold Turkey here

[Frederik]

Mate your build is epic! I like many others just buy and occasionally make minor parts, but this is a work of art I've been following the thread and very very impressed! Can't wait for the next instalment

Thanks a lot!! I appreciate the kind words! I hope I can resume the Thuesdays hobby nights next week

C,mon Fred! Were all going Cold Turkey here

I know I know! It's been forever since the last real progress!! thanks for the slight push though! Always need a little push from you guys haha because sometimes I can't kick myself!

[atom3624]

I reckon its time for the finished article, and on a 'rally stage', with lights - Rothmans colours.

 

Al.

[Frederik]

 

Rothmans colors would be nice! But I have a buddy who already made a Rothmans RWD Escort MK2 over at Scale4x4rc so I might go a different route. Quite possibly try to mimic a sponsor-less white car similar to Simon McKinley. Just plain white. Still have some time to think about colors though! (sorry, colours!! )

 

Update!! Well past due update hahaha It sits on its four wheels for the first time!

 

I was able to complete the second side of the front suspension, minus the steering knuckle which is not done on that second side, the final steering knuckle is not designed yet anyway. The suspension is completely compressed on the front in the first pic as there are no springs on the struts. The rear is sprung though.

 

 

 

 

Here you can kind of see how I plan to do the steering, I will have two pull cables attached to the M3 screw in the center, one cable to the left and one to the right.

 

 

 

It looks as if the brakes cables I got from Preston (thanks bud!) might just work, I thought it was smaller but had a look and it is bigger than I recalled (the yellow one).

 

 

 

And now that it sits on four wheels, the mandatory flex shots! lol believe it or not all four wheels are on the ground in the pics. Well there are no springs on the front so that's kind of cheating, it obviously help get to max droop on the lifted wheels:

 

 

 

Regarding the cable steering, I will use guitar strings as to not scrap the piece of brake cable I got. It fits in the plastic sheat, it is pretty much the same size as the cable and already comes with loops at the end to attach to my M3 bolt lol Once I sort out the lengths and details, if it looks like it will work I will cut the actual brake cable.

 

 

Thanks for looking!

[Bicko]

Love it! Love it! Love it!

[TurboFurball]

That is looking grand   Do you have plans for a complete scale transmission tunnel?

 

As for paint, Colin McRea did a few in a plain white Mk2 Escort, too.  Escort Harrier colours would be subtle and cool (or slightly less subtle), or there's some interesting period circuit racing schemes too ...

Edited January 25, 2015 by TurboFurball

[Frederik]

That is looking grand Do you have plans for a complete scale transmission tunnel?

As for paint, Colin McRea did a few in a plain white Mk2 Escort, too.

Escort Harrier colours would be subtle and cool (or slightly less subtle):

or there's some interesting period schemes too:

...

Thanks TurboFurballs! You can post the pics directly, I'm ok with that! I edited the quote to embed them. Yes I do plan to make a transmission and driveshaft tunnel, probably not as rounded as the factory one because rounded shapes and steel are two things I cannot mix it will look more like the rally modded Escorts where they make a new tunnel either to lower the car more or bring the engine back a few inches. These are usually more boxy, but still have the trans tunnel slope.

When I will be done with the steering setup I will move on to motor/tranny/driveshaft mounting, as well as trans tunnel.

I did not know Colin McRae had white escorts, I did a quick google image search but it was unclear which one was Colin's, there were not much white ones. There was a lot of red/black ones though, and I like that scheme too:

So I believe it will either be all white or a scheme like the red black Colin Mcrae Escort. I am wondering if red helps see the details or if it is the opposite. I'd like the color to help show the shapes. A slightly dirty white painted chassis should highligth the details nicely

Edited January 25, 2015 by Frederik

[Frederik]

And for you guys who like these little Escorts, I put the MK1 shell on to see how it looks standing on its wheels:

And also the Mk1 shell halves are not bolted together, so it makes for a nice scale work in progress

[Frederik]

Here are examples of transmission tunnels I could probably do. I would like to be able to solder it to the floor with minimal apparent seam, and I do all the sheet cutting and folding manually, so I might have to keep it simple.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Frederik

[TurboFurball]

That kind of trans tunnel will look great ... I think a bold colour (like the red & black) does help define the shape.  I have a distinct memory of seeing McRae drive an all-white Mk2 in the mid-2000s, in Wales IIRC ... it's possible he only ran it like that for one event, though.

Edited January 25, 2015 by TurboFurball

[Tamiyacowboy]

tin a couple lines of soldering to where you want the tunnel 

to seat inside the cabin area. 

 

we modelers love a bit of brass or copper sheet ( copper).

a beanbag stuffed with dry sand a decent ball hammer and some careful tapping and stretching

 

solder the copper tunnel to the tinned internal deck, its going to be a cover but can easy be desoldered if needed.

saves you having to make it from tin sheet and has that added softeness to work with.

for weld lines you can use something like milliputty and a dremel to make faked welding seams  

Edited January 27, 2015 by Tamiyacowboy

[Frederik]

Thanks TamiyaCowboy for the tips on the soldering. I did not think of putting solder on the parts to prep them, will have to test that! I usually brush the two parts, add flux everywhere I want solder to go, and heat for a few seconds, then try to have the solder sip in. I an not very good yet at it though lol

 

I am not sure where I would find copper sheet locally though, do you have an idea of places where this can be commonly found other than specialized hobby shops?

 

I plan to do the trans tunnel, solder it in place and only then proceed to cut under the car just the right amount.

[crusherjay]

an incredible build fella cant wait to see more 

[Tamiyacowboy]

sorry fred, a bit late on the reply. 

 

copper sheet/ brass sheet we can find in lots of places in uk

hobby stores and metal merchants. 

 

we use it in modeling live steam trains, making boilers and the likes

have a look on ebay.ca try the search " 1mm copper sheet "

 

other things that can be used inplace, old hard drive cases and the old optical discs / floppy disc drives.

these come with a 1-2mm thick metal/tin sheet covering, can be tin snipped to shape and rough filed.

 

old compter case backing panels, these are thing sheet metal to pre pressed form., and some old cases 

were made from alloy a small case could give upto around a couple kg in usuable scraps of alloy plate/angle

and usually held together with alloy rivets, a quick dremal cutter/drill out and you can dismember them quick.

 

what is not used we tend to throw in a little bag and take down the scrap dealers make a couple quid back.

 

 

Its coming along fine Fred take it slow and timely , and those eyes peeled , see some old junk being thrown out 

go have a look see what can be re-used and saves you some pennys to

[Frederik]

Thanks a lot for all the material sourcing ideas! Funny I discussed that with a client at work this week, he says he often see voltage transformers which are made of copper ribbon istead of wire. They are like 4" wide and thickness can vary based on transfo power.

I have lots of various pieces of scrap metal, computer case, plastic trays, aluminum pieces from an old laptop, all different thickness but not any brass or copper. I'll try to find some to put in the materials bin!

[Tamiyacowboy]

i am more a tinker myself to. 

 

other ideas, homemade smelter , using old junk its possible to smelt alloys and copper down.

then its just a case of making a sand mould and pouring the molten liquids. i am always searching youtube

and have always been interested in the smelting part, homemade furnaces / kilns and the likes.

we used to melt down old lead fishing weights and pour new ones. enough good charcoal a good receptical to hold the metal in

when molten and a hand cranked pump/bellow. all you have to do is work the coals hot enough. 1000c is possible. 

 

yep good transformers are copper ribbon of sheet to act as the buzz bar. i will rattle a few minds

and see what else may hold a copper sheet plate.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Tamiyacowboy

[Tamiyacowboy]

i am more a tinker myself to. 

 

other ideas, homemade smelter , using old junk its possible to smelt alloys and copper down.

then its just a case of making a sand mould and pouring the molten liquids. i am always searching youtube

and have always been interested in the smelting part, homemade furnaces / kilns and the likes.

we used to melt down old lead fishing weights and pour new ones 

 

yep good transformers are copper ribbon of sheet to act as the buzz bar. i will rattle a few minds

and see what else may hold a copper sheet plate.

i am more a tinker myself to. 

 

other ideas, homemade smelter , using old junk its possible to smelt alloys and copper down.

then its just a case of making a sand mould and pouring the molten liquids. i am always searching youtube

and have always been interested in the smelting part, homemade furnaces / kilns and the likes.

we used to melt down old lead fishing weights and pour new ones 

 

yep good transformers are copper ribbon of sheet to act as the buzz bar. i will rattle a few minds

and see what else may hold a copper sheet plate.

[Juggernaut jims]

The Power of The Mini Arc Furnace:

This popped up on my youtube and could be helpful for your project

[Frederik]

This furnace is really fascinating, lots of potential safety hazard Though! Lol but definitely worth digging some more and find out how it is done (the welder project he did previously which this is based on apparently). Thanks for the link!

Update now!

I did a little bit of work tonight, but first some teasing Anyone guesses what this is? Obviously it is not finished in that pic, but you won't wait long to know, just the time to write the post and link the pics

[Frederik]

Brand sparkling new transmission tunnel! lol

Just like Preston did on his Escort build (prestonlal on rcuniverse or trini2dbone on scale4x4rc), I trimmed the tranny so it fits nicely in the transmission tunnel:

This is how I drawn the tunnel in 2D first, this is the height I am aiming at for the motor and tranny, I want the bottom of the tranny to be about floor height. And I want the motor to sits on the wheels:

I will have to lengthen the driveshaft by approximately 1 inch, I will do that with a solid extension on tranny output shaft. Some pics on the car:

And some comparison to a reference pic:

The driveshaft tunnel should be same size as the small end of the tunnel,and I might be able to get away not doing a diff tunnel in the rear, because the height of the small end (and eventual driveshaft tunnel) should be just enough to clear the diff at current full compression.