cortina - where has all the grunt gone

EGG · 10-10-2006, 12:24 AM

I've just picked up a 1980 cortina wagon with an iron head 250 in it, probably from an XD.

Anyway, for a car that weighs less than 1300kg with a 4.1L engine, there isn't much poke? My mates ZL fairlane wasn't exactly a rocketship when I used to drive it, even with the rebuilt engine + extractors, but I kind of expected more from a lighter car.

I've never had a ford before, was someone wrong when they said there's no replacement for displacement?

THORNSPAWN · 10-10-2006, 02:24 AM

1980 would be TE they had iron head crossflow with single barrel stromberg standard.
Try replacing the top end with an alloy head and 2 barrel webber from an XF it will
make a big difference.

xd?? · 10-10-2006, 09:15 PM

auto or manual?

EGG · 16-10-2006, 12:53 AM

auto

Yeah, it's got a single barrel stromberg, I might try and pick up a weber then, thanks.

xd?? · 16-10-2006, 09:25 PM

there you go
get a manual(if you want)
or just get 350 holley and extracters....will give it alot of stick then

fpv_escort · 17-10-2006, 12:26 PM

There is an alloy head on ebay. I think you just have to search Crossflow or something like that.

DRIFT_TE · 17-10-2006, 06:07 PM

was it on gas? if so check the cylinder head for valve seat recession which will lower compression and possibly allow gasses to leak..

the other thing is it may be the carby, but i had a corty with a stromberg on it once and it hammered so that may not at all be your problem, bigger carburation on a tired engine wont help it at all..

one major problem with older 250 x flows is a worn cam and lifters
if has done alot of K's most likely its the cam that is worn and will cause a massive loss of power, as i have experienced, if you check the other things and still have a slug then change the cam and lifters..

if that is the problem a new cam will make a massive difference!!
and if it smokes on start up change the valve stem seals as they leak oil when they wear out..

the other thing it could be is piston rings, either broken or worn, will cause a substantial loss of power..

hope this has helped mate, if you need any other info let me know or post a comment im sure someone will help you out..

if you want a spare engine let me know too. cheers Ads