Michael
Being a Classic Trial fan and following your web site for some time the following may be of interest to some triallers. Those who run Mk 1 and 2 Escorts and also Escort based kit cars, Duttons and Rickmans etc, may like to know of an alternative back axle for their machines. Being a builder of a Locost I came across the fact that the axle from the Lada ( no, don't laugh) seen in the Fiat 124 based series of models is dimensionally identical to the Mk 2 Escort. The advantage is that any available are likely to be considerably newer and have therefore covered less miles than the Escort unit and would be considerably cheaper. The ratios available are (from the Haines manual) 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 and maybe 3.9 and the prop shaft flange will fit the small Ford flange. The brakes have large finned alloy drums and whilst they are not of Ford pattern can be re-drilled to suite. Unlike the Escort, it is designed for vertical coil springs, telescopics and a Panhard rod but could be easily converted to Escort configuration with the correct brackets.
Hope this may be of use to someone.
Myke Pocock.
Interesting info from Myke. I also posted it in the BMC 10 cwt thread as I thought new members would like to read all the intersting stuff by Pete, Dudley etc. Regarding the Lada I guess Classic Trial rules won't let you put one in an Escort if you want to stay in Class 3? Class 8 Ok I presume. What about class seven. Would it be allowed here? Michael
ReplyDeleteAn Escort with a Lada axle would run in Class 7,
ReplyDeleteA Dutton / Rickman / Vincent so equiped would run in 8
(Even if the bottom had not been shaved off the diff housing) A Troll would stay where it is.