Bugger This.. I'm Going FORD!

[JIM73]

I shouldnt think it would be a problem !! I'll look forward to it !!
By the way tell Samantha she's got a choice of 4 mk2 dash's !!

[marinabrian]

Oh dear Larry and Brian you do seem to be very bitter. You don't see the funny side to all this do you. If only you could hear yourselves!

Do you honestly think I would venture into modifying my car without doing research first? Do you not think that after years and years of older cars being changed from factory specification this may actually be done right? Would it have been better if I'd used a Rover derived engine? Perhaps the K series from those horrid shaped 200 things? How about a V8 as per the Special Tuning manual? If you hadn't noticed my car was never original as it had huge HS6 carbs, K+N filters etc... No one muttered a word then but that was different I suppose? Ah that's right those modifications were a period change... Silly me.

I knew that when I started this thread it would split the camps but it does only seem to be a small number that don't like it. The phrase "If you can't say anything nice..." springs to mind. I think what has really gotten you jumping from your arm chairs is the F.O.R.D badge?! Well that's easily sorted, I'll just close the bonnet so you can't see. *shuts bonnet* Better? I really think Larry should look at his own car before chasing down the wrong road. You'd better bung your 1300 axle back on as that TC one will give you a higher top end! It may frighten you!

I like to think that I am a sensible sort of chap and think things through. I could bore you all day long with how much torque the monocoque chassis of a Marina can take in standard form but I feel I will leave that out of this message as I may actually fall asleep at the controls of my PC. There are parts in the modification trade known as Chassis Strengthening plates. These actually believe it or not "Strengthen" the chassis in the places that could be a weak point. Seam welding is another art that springs to mind, oh and as per that ORIGIONAL mumford, Sill strengthening braces! ! Another non ORIGIONAL part.

I could go on but I feel that I have more constructive comments to reply too. Just remember three things:

Actions speak louder than words

Comments written on here are for all to see and could offend even if it is meant in cheek.

My forum is called FASTMARINAMAGAZINE.COM If I didn't have a FAST Marina it would just be called MARINAMAGAZINE.COM

Beniboyz

Chassis strengthening,monocoque construction, etc,etc,etc torque,blah, blah,blah, you seem to be missing the point here, I HATE FORD PERIOD!!, I served my time as a mechanical design engineer in the formoco Room at Stewart Warner Ltd (look it up it's the U.S. equiv. of Smiths instrumentation), in the course of my work at this time I designed specialist factory automation equipment used primarily in car production plants.
During my typical working week, I would visit Dagenham at least once, & the working practices left quite a lot to be desired let me say.
Of course I could bore you to death talking about Angular acceleration, Wheatstone Bridges, tangential frictional forces opposing shaft rotation & the like, but as you did physics to GCSE you should have no problems in picking up the finer points of "real engineering"
As for the marina bodyshell, when they were new they were probably able to be strengthened, using such techniques as seam welding, crossbracing etc, but believe me the structural integrity of a 37 year old car, HAS been compromised by the ravages of time.
Trust me when I say the marina bodyshell just isn't up to it & nothing you can do or say about it will change that fact. I admire what you're trying to achieve here, just worried you're being a little overambitious in what you hope to actually end up with, & hope you're not disappointed after pouring thousands of pounds into SLK when you get it back on the road & it's still bloody awful to drive.

Having said all this if you want any pointers on tensile, shear, & compressive forces that can be exerted by such mundane items as front suspension, you only have to ask.
Sometimes the "Older Boys" can have a trick or two up their sleeves.

Cheers

Brian, B.Sc (Eng) , M1.Mech.E., M.I.E.E. ! !

Including 5 year indentured apprenticeship !

But I know nothing I've only owned 27, yes 27 marina/itals one of every derivative :roll: !

[v6pop]

Chassis strengthening,monocoque construction, etc,etc,etc torque,blah, blah,blah, you seem to be missing the point here, I HATE FORD PERIOD!!, I served my time as a mechanical design engineer in the formoco Room at Stewart Warner Ltd (look it up it's the U.S. equiv. of Smiths instrumentation), in the course of my work at this time I designed specialist factory automation equipment used primarily in car production plants.
During my typical working week, I would visit Dagenham at least once, & the working practices left quite a lot to be desired let me say.
Of course I could bore you to death talking about Angular acceleration, Wheatstone Bridges, tangential frictional forces opposing shaft rotation & the like, but as you did physics to GCSE you should have no problems in picking up the finer points of "real engineering"
As for the marina bodyshell, when they were new they were probably able to be strengthened, using such techniques as seam welding, crossbracing etc, but believe me the structural integrity of a 37 year old car, HAS been compromised by the ravages of time.
Trust me when I say the marina bodyshell just isn't up to it & nothing you can do or say about it will change that fact. I admire what you're trying to achieve here, just worried you're being a little overambitious in what you hope to actually end up with, & hope you're not disappointed after pouring thousands of pounds into SLK when you get it back on the road & it's still bloody awful to drive.

Having said all this if you want any pointers on tensile, shear, & compressive forces that can be exerted by such mundane items as front suspension, you only have to ask.
Sometimes the "Older Boys" can have a trick or two up their sleeves.

Cheers

Brian, B.Sc (Eng) , M1.Mech.E., M.I.E.E. ! !

Including 5 year indentured apprenticeship !

But I know nothing I've only owned 27, yes 27 marina/itals one of every derivative :roll: !

I find the points regarding the marina bodyshell most interesting.
Having run modified cars for many years,raced a modified 1973 Mk1 Escort with a 186bhp motor, running on slicks, for over 6 years with no failure by stress to suspension points or any other area.
I put this down to preparation and condition of the original shell.
The Marina shell in my mind is as strong if not stronger than the Mk1 Escort and therefore would respond to strengthening to accommodate more stress.
If the shell you have is a total rust bucket then you would not waste your time.
Ben's car looks very solid coupled with the quality of the work thats going into it Im sure he will produce a very safe fast solid car.

...........just my opinion.

My old monocoque construction car getting stressed!!!!

[billytits]

i think people need to calm down its your car ben u do to it what you want as would anybody else with theirs just to upset a few people when the pickup is done me old coupe will in line for some mods and i will be talking to you about it (saves me doing any research) and yes im a time served mech engineer/welder/machinist/fitter and generaly good with my hands person who has been driving marinas for many years and i dont think iv had a standard one yet lets enjoy our cars not moan about them its a hobby not a way of life jeeeeezzz

[minispeedstar]

My old monocoque construction car getting stressed!!!!

Nice! I like that! any idea where it is now?

[ClaytonSpeed]

That's what I was going to say V6pop! ! I have some articles about the Escort vs the Marina in regards to it's strength but I can't find the bugger! Love that Escourt by the way! Always been a fan on the Mk1 and 2! I have a Capri 2.8 myself!

If the Ford boys are doing this all year long with cars then I think it is about time we hit hard into the CLASSIC car modifying scene.

SLK is solid as a rock. I was going to use my original shell but that had just too many holes. It would have cost me so much just to have the thing welded up! !

Like I've said before, I am happy with it and I know that it will still manage to keep a big smile on my face every time I drive it. Come the summer it will be my daily car whilst I give my modified Calibra a rest =)

As for the handling well that is a challenge isn't it. How to make a Marina handle like it should! I think having the light weight engine should help no end! Oh and the engine positioned bang over the center line of the front wheels!

I think I will crack on with the build today. Updates and specs will be in the modified section.

Beniboyz

[ClaytonSpeed]

i think people need to calm down its your car ben u do to it what you want as would anybody else with theirs just to upset a few people when the pickup is done me old coupe will in line for some mods and i will be talking to you about it (saves me doing any research) and yes im a time served mech engineer/welder/machinist/fitter and generaly good with my hands person who has been driving marinas for many years and i dont think iv had a standard one yet lets enjoy our cars not moan about them its a hobby not a way of life jeeeeezzz

Cheers Trev,

Any info you need mate I have tonnes. I guess we are talking about the O series gear I have for you? Shouldn't be a problem mate =)

Beniboyz

[Clan Chieftain]

8) i needed that.!! good to have a rant and a wind up after the festive and blow away the cobwebs. pity more didnt join in though eh ben.

[marinabrian]

Deep breaths, I'm off out into the shed to pick up where I left off on rebuilding this 1800 vvt "k"series

Morning everyone

Mumford's not going to know what hit it, I mean whats a bit more scuttle shake amongst friends eh?

Bri :twisted:

[Clan Chieftain]

8) a mere detail Brian....a mere detail.....whats the rarest car youve butchered...or are you working on it.?

[The Exorcist]

Brian, you make several good points in your post. The most important I feel is the integrity of the chassis/monocoque. Indeed a 37 year old car will not have retained the original shells integrity, and a full body resto might not even offer this, if not done correctly. So where does this leave us, BL/Morris who ever they were at the time spent millions on the Marina design, empolying time served and 'innovative 'designers from all areas of car design and production, yet the end result was far from perfect and I'd say your comment
'hope you're not disappointed after pouring thousands of pounds into SLK when you get it back on the road & it's still bloody awful to drive'.
would quite adequately describe the factory product. So there's the 'rub', Ben spends a few grand to develop his TC, much of the cost being the mechanics rather than structural. (We have looked over the shell and its a pretty good straight package with only cosmetic work required.) He must accept ,and does ,as we all do, who drive classic cars, that they are not as perfect as when they left the factory. However with subtle and strategic strengthening and modification these cars can be made to perform better in every aspect. We as a company specialise in modifying Morris Minors (no we do not use Marina or Ital parts) instead we design and manufacture our own upgrades to enhance the original shell. From strengthening panels through to full suspension and braking upgrades. With the Minor We have been amazed that a shell designed for around 40bhp can actually (with some tweeking) take the better part of 200bhp without protest. Our cars have covered around 10,000 miles on trackdays and no structural issues have arisen in the last 12 years.
So can this experience be transposed to the Marina/Itals?, sure it can, they were used in motorsport in a state of tune far exceeding the original spec when they left the factory(admittedly with some mods ) and they coped pretty well. So I think Ben's project has a lot going for it, and he realises the marginal short comings of driving a 30 year old car ,probably more than someone with a Concourse one.
Shame you have a poor opinion of Ford products, as we believe the Zetec to be one of the best engines to leave the factory. We were using the K series in our Minors,a fantastic engine ruined by Rover engineers and management, so we now use the Zetec, its cheap £850 for a full 2.0L engine with 1 year warranty, its cheaper than rebuilding the 1275 or 1800 engines.
It would be nice to see your experience and qualified ability to being channeled into helping development of this car, be it with Ben or any one else with the courage to be different.

[marinabrian]

Probably a 1977 suntor which I scrapped just because I'd run out of space!

[Clan Chieftain]

ever get the feeling ORIGINALITY is losing on this topic.....however its interesting dont you think. 8) 8)

[marinabrian]

Yes it's becoming a "classic" off-topic topic

Splendid

[The General]

so does that mean it will be moved to the offtopic topic section then ?