philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Hi all, After speaking to 'Bullman' about my old x flow bellhousing and his RS2000 version, it got me wondering what type I have aquired for my Zetec conversion. How do you spot a RS2000 one? My second hand one has two positions for the starter motor (left or right) but is otherwise virtually the same as the cast iron one in the car at the moment. For the clutch I have a plate which covers the unused starter motor side with a hole and bush. I have beed told by Raceline that they have seen many cars with the twin position type in cars with no problem and I can't see any possible problems with it. Any comments? Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Sounds like an RS2000 bell housing to me that is it sounds identical to the one that I use. I have just (since the beginning of September) fitted a 2 litre Zetec to my previously x-flow powered car, have yet to drive it other than in and out of the garage but it feels very docile compared to the previous engine, its having a pre shake down rolling road check tommorrow, fingers crossed time. The advice given to you by Raceline is opposite to the advice they gave me, since the starter position on the RS2000 bell housing is slightly lower and closer to engine centreline than a iron bell housing the warning was I would have to grind away some alloy from the sump as the starter would foul. Suggested solution buy one of their alloy bellhousings, total cost £500 + vat, alternative solution fit a Dunnell sump total cost £205 + vat, no problems as promised. One thing to check is the threads for the engine mounting and starter motor bolts, mine were all shot as a result of some ludite using the wrong bolts, at least it was cheap. Problem solved by drilling through and using cap bolts and nuts, 6 years on all OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Sorry, bit of memory trouble, two other things to check. Make sure the clutch release arm pivot pin is secure, mine fell out onto the garage floor, god knows what would have resulted if it had got trapped between the ring gear and the alloy, and also the release arm from the 5 speed iron bellhousing is not quite right. It appears OK but the pivot end is too wide (I think from memory) and again the previous ludite had caused minor damage by using the 5 speed one. The one I obtained was from an early 4 speed mark 3 Cortina, perfect fit and cost £1. It tapers from the release bearing carrier to both ends rather then the parallel then rapid taper of the 5 speed. Since you won't be using the sandwich plate from the x-flow with the Zetec its not important that this will not fit because of the different starter position. Think thats it this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Hi Paul, I thought it was all going to well! The old exhaust even came off without a fight smile.gif Some things for me to check up on then. Can I ask where you got the release arm from? Local breakers? Could I be really cheeky and ask where abouts you are and if nearby, would I be able to come and have a look? I looked over Brents car a couple of weeks ago and it was really helpful picturing what whet where. Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Edited by - philwaters on 30 Oct 2001 13:17:55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Guess I was lucky, spotted a breakers specialising in Cortinas in the yellow pages, only about 15 miles from home. Rang them up, reply no problem mate, walked into yard and almost tripped over this oily release arm laying in a puddle, cleaned off oil, perfect. As I said I guess I was lucky. Don't know where you are but the yard is in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Sorry, having trouble reading now. You are more than welcome to come and have a look, I am in the North Midlands just off the M1 at juction 28. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Arr a little bit far to travel for me, living in Bracknell/Reading. I will phone around and see if I can locate one. Maybe Ford still sell it as a spares item? Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Fair comment, there must be many more Zetecs closer to home. Would'nt expect Ford to still keep this part but you may be lucky. I have just checked with my local factors who just happen to be a member of "Cortina Parts UK" whatever that means and Cortina release arms are no longer listed. When I fitted mine I thought it was a cheap way of adding lightness, it still turned out to be cheap but took time to fully sort. Paul PS Loctite the release arm pin in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Arr I guess there isn't a lot of point stopping off at Ford on the way home then. I assume that as long as it comes off a 4sp MK3 Cortina it will be ok - doesn't matter which engine? I have just called Raceline and was indeed told that I may need to grind some of the sump away - Doh! This was only reackoned to be around 2-3mm and I am going to take the bellhousing along with me when I collect the engine so they can guide me in the right direction. Will apply some Loctite! Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I am not sure what box the x-flow mark 3 used so best to try getting one from a pinto variant. Some years ago I bought a 4 speed from a mark 4 complete with bellhousing etc and I originally planned to use the arm from this, it had the later type fitted (as 5 speed) so they must have changed sometime in the 70's at a guess. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I think that some of the 1600 Pinto engined cars had a three rail box fitted with a cast iron, cable bellhousing (They were fitted in Capris but not sure about Cortinas) This bell housing will only allow the starter to be fitted to the nearside of the car and isn't suitable for the 4 speed RS2000 gearbox or the 5 speed Sierra unit because the "hole" for the selector rod is missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Mine was taken off of a BDA engined 7 I believe so I am sure it will fit from that point of view. So do I understand it correctly that I want to avoid a release arm from a 1600 pinto Cortina - in case it is the same as a Capri? Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I have generally found with Fords that to be absolutely sure about bellhousings and clutch forks you need to make sure they are from the same unit. If you sre not in too much of a hurry I have a genuine RS2000 clutch arm buried in my garage. I took it out of a Mk 1 RS2000 about 3 months ago when I fitted a co-axial hydraulic clutch but I won't be able to find time to look for it until the weekend. If you're bellhousing is Alloy, has fittings for a starter on both sides and a webbed "dimple" in the gearbox mounting face to allow the selector to slide, I would be confident that it is an RS2000 type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Hi Chris, I'm pretty sure by the sounds of things that it is an RS2000 bell housing, although I can't picture the dimple, but it does has a recess for the selector to slide into. There is no rush as I only ordered the Zetec on Saturday and should be around a month away. I am going to lift the x/flow this Saturday and will have a look at it all then. It does sound like I need a different release arm though and would be very grateful if you can find yours. Don't supose anyone has any pictures of a 'known' RS2000 bell housing that I could have a look at and then be sure. Oh, and how do I then stand with regard to the release bearing? Is that got to be special as well? Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Edited by - philwaters on 30 Oct 2001 15:36:58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I must have a release bearing as well because the new cylinder used it's own release bearing but it isn't difficult to find an RS2000 release bearing. Which flywheel are you using with your Zetec. I looked at fitting one some time ago and I thought that if it was a 2 litre you needed a special clutch to fit the Sierra input shaft and the Zetec Flywheel, but I could be getting it round my neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Hi, Raceline will be supplying the clutch and a lightened flywheel with the engine kit I have opted for...the whole kit is designed to mate to a type 9 and with the engine mounts, to fit in a 7. Is it going to be easier to just stick with my iron bell housing? Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I used a steel flywheel with 8 1/2" clutch etc. all supplied by James Whiting. The clutch uses the same release bearing as the x-flow and I installed a x-flow spiggot bearing as supplied into the end of the crank. No need for a starter spacer. Job done. As a matter of interest the clutch fitted onto a pinto flywheel. I was told by a Zetec user of a possible cost saving by using an Escort 1800 (I think) flywheel and clutch cover and plate with the 23 spline 1" centre to suit the type 9. A longer release bearing is needed, the part number was given is QH CCT133. This is a more viable option obviously if you are starting with an 1800 engine, the flywheel and cover are free. Starter spacer needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 If you have an RS2000 bell housing it should fit without too much trouble and it will save a reasonable amount of weight. I would think that would be a good idea with a Zetec. The bellhousing won't affect the clutch regardless of which one you use. I think the system you have ordered is the one I had in mind when I looked at replacing my Twin Cam. It sounds as if you are not too far away as I am in the West Mids and when I find the arm I will e-mail you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Dont panic. The use of a standard RS2000 belhousing is common practice with Ford gearbox to engine transplants). The arm to use surely is the one that normally goes with the bellhousiong and 34mmm bore release bearing ala 2.0 pinto engine (clip in type) John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Jones Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Ring Steve Parks at S P Components in Reditch 01527 894232 he does a alloy bellhousing for the Zetec to type nine with all the lugs pins holes etc for about £150 I have one in my 1800 Zetec Westfeild, just had to cut a bit off to get it down the tunnel as my engine is as far back as it will go I had a job getting a release arm to fit so got one that worked the clutch but was to long to go down the tunnel so I cut it and welded it to suit ring me if you need to know more 01472 590325 the clutch I have used is Mondaoe and a QH release bearing I have all the part numbers filed if you need then. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Thanks for the re-assurance guys. Its strange but I only said to the girlfriend this morning how smoothly it all seemed to be going. How stupid of me teeth.gif Chris, I think you'll find Paul is close to you, I'm down in Berkshire but I'll happily pay any postage on top of want for the arm. Paul, that all sounds familiar to what I'll end up with, I suspect they may even be sourced from the same place. So will the x/flow bearings fit on an RS2000 arm? Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Simple answer yes, mine is a Caterham supplied bearing for a 5 speed. I used the same bearing thats been in the 7 on the x-flow/type 9 for about 2 1/2 years. The bearing for a 4 speed sport has a smaller central hole and will not fit over the 5 speed guide sleeve. Truth be told since Ford never made a x-flow with a 5 speed box(rear wheel drive) its just one of many parts from the huge Ford parts bin. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted October 30, 2001 Author Share Posted October 30, 2001 Hurray... some good news at last smile.gif Good job I have given myself all winter to get this done huh! Thanks for all your help guys - just proves again what a great club this is. Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted November 2, 2001 Author Share Posted November 2, 2001 Hi again, I definitely have an RS2000 item and am planning to try to bolt it to my x/flow after I take it out tomorrow as a trial fit/run. Chris, I'd really appriciate it if you can find your old release arm, I may not get a lot of chance to check my mail over the weekend, so bear with me, or call 07880 928612 smile.gif Phil Waters 1600 X/flow - soon to be 2000 Zetec wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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