Miata into Cortina

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:30 am

Well onto bigger and better things.. The Pinto in my Mk1 pulls well, but it's getting tired.. Thought about a few options but a neat one presented it's self when my wife's Miata finally rusted away.. I didn't want to run the injection because it's a vacume line nightmare!

Took some time and digging but I finally found a twin Delorto manifold for the motor.. Man it was hard to order not being able to speak or write Japanese.. From there the rest was easy.. Well except that the oil pan for the Miata is a rear sump and fouls the steering gear..

Funny thing though the late 90's FWD Capri uses the Miata motor with a front sump, and I got a pan for $40.00.. Rock Auto had the oil pump pickup tube for $20.00..

I used a stand alone ignition ( NODIZ ) and voila! Just fired it up on the shop floor and it's a runner..

Now it's Pinto out, modern twin cam with 5 speed ( or a 6 speed if I want to upgrade..) in..

[/img]

Hopefully the pictures work.. I haven't loaded one onto the forum for a few years..LOL

Sideways · Post by **Sideways** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:39 pm

Before I stuffed the S2000 drivetrain in my Mk1 I had a complete drivetrain from an NC Miata which I dropped in place and which would have been able to work - but I couldn't stand the sight of all the plastic the NC had, versus the NA and NB which actually looks as a Twin Cam should.

The benefit is also that, being Japanese, it is inherently reliable and you will be able to source parts for years to come versus getting bits - easily - for the original Ford/Lotus Twin Cam/ and even the Pinto motor.

The Carbs on this the way to go as well as it looks 'period' and it will sound nice and nasty - as it should.

Plus getting more HP from these engines is a breeze.

Well done Mark!!!!

Keep posting pics on the build and we shall see you at the ABFM next year with this.

See the plastic!

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:56 pm

Yes the B engines are quite ugly with the injection for sure.. The front mounted thermostat housing is ugly too so I moved that to the rear of the head..

It will cause some head scratching when people see it in there!

Kiwi Cortina · Post by **Kiwi Cortina** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 3:36 pm

Mark

Can you forward me all the info you have on those carbs as I am in the process of sourcing a Miata right now to put into a MK2 Super I have sitting around. What year Miata is that engine?

Thanks Brent

Langlia · Post by **Langlia** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 7:56 pm

Looks nice and clean. Good job!

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:36 am

Hi Brent.. I got the manifold from Endo at gxrbt1_ju3256sdza@members.ebay.com

He normally deals with Datsun stuff but he was the only vendor I found who dealt with Harada Shokai who make the manifold in Japan. I was unable to find a purchase outlet for them otherwise..

They refer to the Miata 1.6 as a NA6CE and the manifold that Harada Shokai list for it is part number 1043. Since it's not listed on Endo's ebay site I responded to another manifold listing and just told him what I was looking for.. He listed that part number for me specifically and I just did the buy it now.. Endo was great ( hard to understand mind you ) but he made it clear that the manifold was un returnable even if it was wrong ( but it was correct..)

The manifold was good quality as was the linkage provided with it.. It was about 57,000 YEN, so about $720 dollars Canadian

The carbs came from Alfa1750 ( alfa17_gsn2249mct@members.ebay.com )

These guys are fantastic, I have purchased many carbs from them.. They jet them and flow bench to balance them prior to shipping.. I have never had a problem with their produce.. I get Delorto's from them, they are better than the Webers in my opinion.. I used DHLA 40's, and told them my approximate horsepower expectation for the motor.. They fired up right away and idled smooth.. Love it!

The pair were about 427 Euros, so about $680.00 Canadian..

Mark

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 8:40 pm

So on it goes..

This is the oil pan mod.. Using the pan from the FWD Mercury Capri..

I had to cut off the back of the pan.. I also had to cut about a 1/4 inch off the trans bellhousing as well to get the motor far forward enough to clear my coil at the firewall..

Good news is that I didn't need to cut the firewall at all..

This is what I pulled out.. I will use this in the wagon.

There was much in and out fitting the Mazda.. The big problem was the steering arm hitting the bellhousing, and getting the trans high in the tunnel..

Finally done and welded up.. Carpet should fit and the shifter comes out just barely ahead of the brake lever.. Nice!

I was able to use the stock motor mounts and isolators.. Just needed to extend the mounts to fit.. Worked out great!

I spent a couple of days cleaning up the engine bay.. Welded up about 25 holes left over from all kinds of stuff mounted all over the place in the cars past.. Looks better now though..

Now it's down to putting the fittings and bits on the motor, then making a permanent trans mount.. The drive shaft should be ready later this week.

Then it's on to the plumbing for the rad, which will be a challenge with the thermostate housing at the back of the motor.. But hey if it was easy...

Mark

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Tue Dec 20, 2016 10:44 am

Cool.. Motor is in and the hoses and exhaust are sorted.. It's a bit of a snake going from the rear of the motor to the rad but turned out looking just fine.. One benefit of this engine is that it's short, so I have lots of room for a rad and fan..

Everything is ready now except I am still waiting for my driveshaft to be done.. Not that I would be driving in this snow anyway!

Kiwi Cortina · Post by **Kiwi Cortina** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:29 am

Is this for sale on Craigslist?

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 11:02 am

Yes it is.. I only just got it on the road though, and I have some things to sort out.. I had a custom drive shaft made for it and it has a vibration, so I have to take it out and have them look at it..

Otherwise it runs well, but there is certainly more power to be had going beyond the base map on the NODIZ so I am going to play with that again..

It sure is nice though having the Miata 5 speed!!

Sideways · Post by **Sideways** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:46 pm

RS.Escort wrote:Yes it is.. I only just got it on the road though, and I have some things to sort out.. I had a custom drive shaft made for it and it has a vibration, so I have to take it out and have them look at it..

Otherwise it runs well, but there is certainly more power to be had going beyond the base map on the NODIZ so I am going to play with that again..

It sure is nice though having the Miata 5 speed!!

Can you post the Craigslist link Mark? I really shouldn't look because am still not finished the fine tuning of the brakes and suspension on the Cortina and I don't have the room or the money or...

Kiwi Cortina · Post by **Kiwi Cortina** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:52 pm

its on the for sale tab on this website 1963 Ford Cortina Abottsford.

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:22 pm

Lol isn't it always the way.. I got an acceptable offer on the car from someone in the States.. I took the ad off for now for that reason and to get the driveshaft balanced..

The offer is good but I hate dealing with international payments and then shipping..

If you are interested in the car why don't you swing out and have a look at it?

It's just Abbotsford, and I haven't pulled the driveshaft out yet..

Mark 604 897 2239

Sideways · Post by **Sideways** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:22 pm

Kiwi Cortina wrote:its on the for sale tab on this website 1963 Ford Cortina Abottsford.

Sorry, I misread Mark's post and thought he was referring to the Escort.

And maybe this guy would be interested though I get the feeling he wants an actual GT... https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/wan/5980018193.html

RS.Escort · Post by **RS.Escort** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 3:47 pm

LOL.. I shot him a note..