Old School and Other Rotary Old School and Other Rotary Powered Vehicles including performance modifications and technical support

12A powered '65 Ford Cortina

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-06-11, 12:17 PM
  #1  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
 
RX-7 Chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
12A powered '65 Ford Cortina

I'm thinking about a possible project. I have a 12A large street port motor from my '83 RX-7. I was looking to sell the motor as a complete setup but I haven't had any luck so far. I have close to $5k into the setup. The for sale thread

A friend of mine has a '65 Ford Cortina LHD that has sat for about 35 years but is in relatively good shape. The car has very little rust except surface rust. The interior is shot. The motor runs good but the fuel lines are gone. Brakes and clutch are seized. I can get the car for under $300.

I'm thinking it would be a great car for a motor swap. I'm thinking of turning it into a track car. I would loose the interior and install a cage. Install a fuel cell and SS line (I already have the line). I would have to make custom cross members but that doesn't look all that hard. I would also have to find a radiator that will work good but I don't see that being all that hard.

The biggest hold up is figuring out what to use as a donor car for the suspension, brakes, and steering. I'm looking for coilover setup for all 4 corners, R/P steering, and upgradeable brakes. I was thinking of using fox body mustang suspension but I'm not sure I can get it to work without serious modifications. I just joined a Cortina forum so I will be asking them. I have a 9" small bearing rear from my '64 Galaxie that I can have shortened and use that in the rear is need be.

Thoughts on the possible project?
Old 07-06-11, 03:28 PM
  #2  
1972 Rx2/1988 Rx7 TurboII

 
Tsi_Xtreme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
anything is possible with money and thought
Old 07-06-11, 05:06 PM
  #3  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (15)
 
cfamilyfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 1,735
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
There used to be a guy a a local autocross who ran a cortina. It went like stink and handled great. I always thought they would make a great rotor swap candidate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2CveY82mBs
Old 07-06-11, 05:07 PM
  #4  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (15)
 
cfamilyfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 1,735
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a4B_...eature=related
Old 07-06-11, 05:29 PM
  #5  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
 
RX-7 Chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That wagon is that car I was using to figure out the motor mounts. http://www.cortina-mk1.com/sr20.php















Old 07-06-11, 09:04 PM
  #6  
Senior Member

iTrader: (5)
 
Redline-RX3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 356
Received 11 Likes on 7 Posts
1965 ... is that a Mark I Cortina , as I think the Mark II came out in 1966 ? (I had a GT in my long forgotten youth). Anyways , as much as I love Rotaries and think they are great for almost everything, I would save this Cortina for a Ford 4cyl , preferably a twin cam (remember the Lotus ones )? Just my 2 cents .....
Old 07-07-11, 09:15 AM
  #7  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
 
RX-7 Chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
it is an MK1 Cortina. '67 is actually the first year of the MK2.

The one I'm looking at is a base model 2 door car.
Old 07-10-11, 06:19 AM
  #8  
Full Member

 
yoeddynz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Island, NZ
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Go for it I say. It'll be bloody good fun when finished.
Cortinas of all mk's must be pretty rare in the states eh?
Old 07-10-11, 01:31 PM
  #9  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
Originally Posted by Redline-RX3
1965 ... is that a Mark I Cortina , as I think the Mark II came out in 1966 ? (I had a GT in my long forgotten youth). Anyways , as much as I love Rotaries and think they are great for almost everything, I would save this Cortina for a Ford 4cyl , preferably a twin cam (remember the Lotus ones )? Just my 2 cents .....
+1 my rotary brother. Its nice to see a rotary transplant on any car but for the most part, I say leave it alone to another enthusiasts as I would hate to see a piston powered RX
Old 07-11-11, 12:45 PM
  #10  
Lurker
 
spiceisler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a friend in PA that has one and he wants me to come out there and do some wiring on it. We also know someone in Bklyn that has (5), yes five of them!
Old 07-11-11, 01:02 PM
  #11  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
 
RX-7 Chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The reason for me making this car a rotary car is because I already have the motor. It would be a cool car to install a built pinto motor in.

Even though I would be installing a rotary in it, I still think of it as saving the car. This car would most likely just rot away.

I'm looking into the fesability of upgrading the suspension and steering. I'm looking into the posibility of doing a 4link with coilovers in the rear. I'm thinking a 9" is the way to go. I'm still working on what the best setup would be for the front.
Old 07-11-11, 10:06 PM
  #12  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (15)
 
cfamilyfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 1,735
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by spiceisler
I have a friend in PA that has one and he wants me to come out there and do some wiring on it. We also know someone in Bklyn that has (5), yes five of them!
Ok...now we really have to meet up...lol
Old 08-19-11, 12:22 AM
  #13  
RollinRock

iTrader: (7)
 
AuthoritySucks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Los Angeles Sur Califas
Posts: 435
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rotary in anything is great. Nice!
Old 05-08-12, 06:55 PM
  #14  
Junior Member

 
12A glc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: new york
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, that's right up my ALLEY. MY project next is a Morris 1000 with a ported 13b. I already have two donor cars with all the props, but looking for a crisp base.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Wicked93gs
Other Engine Conversions - non V-8
44
01-12-22 10:08 AM
Wicked93gs
Other Engine Conversions - non V-8
0
08-23-15 10:14 AM
rx7brandon
General Rotary Tech Support
3
08-16-15 10:55 AM



Quick Reply: 12A powered '65 Ford Cortina



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:46 PM.