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24v heads on a 12v engine
Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:16 am
by alfascort
i have recently aquired some 24v heads for my alfa powered mk1 escort project
anyway does anyone know whats involved with fitting the 24v heads to a 12v engine?
i have been told the bottom end castings are the same so it must be possible to do even if a few mods are needed
thanks for any help you can provide
-- colin
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 6:24 am
by Mats
Well, I just need to say this, I know it's probably not what you want to hear but for the love of god
WHY???
The Mk1 escort is one of the coolest cars
ever and the drivetrain is great, why would you wanna weigh it down with all that V6 + gearbox crap? If you are going to spend the dough just buy a BDA engine or build a replica and pick up a rally gearbox for pocket change and you'd be set.
GRRRR!!
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:46 am
by alfascort
because due to the alloy contruction of the V6 its actually a lot lighter
and as you can prolly see from my sig and pics in the introduction section the car only resembles a mk1 escort in looks
plus i think the alfa V6 is a lovley engine and with the gearbox in the back will have near perfect balance
still i was hoping if there is anyone with info on the 24v heads
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:54 am
by Mats
What does the Ford engine weigh?
What does a Ford gearbox weigh?
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:17 am
by Zamani
"V6 crap" ????
What???
Take it back Mats, take it back I tells ya!

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 1:22 pm
by MD
Sorry Mats but I dont think the issue here is re-creation but more like experimentaiton. So does it matter if it was a 1972 Skoda or a Lightburn Zeta or indeed an Escort look alike? I don't believe that it does.
What I am pleased to see is that somebody is prapared to go throguh some pain on a road of discovery about mechanical things. The fact that Alfa running gear is being used is a bonus as it could provide some perfomance indicators against other makes in a similar setting. This has to be be one of the best ways of learning mechanical/engineering skills known to man. Why would we want to discourage it?
Personally I dislike Ford product but the only Ford thing here is the appearnace, so what ? Go for it I say.
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:10 pm
by junglejustice
A buddy of mine was the navigator for several seasons in a BDA Escort factory-effort (among other cars and teams) back in South Africa many moons ago... All I can say is wow - for the day and even by today's standards - it is cool! He still hails it as the best ride he had during his long rally career!
As far as this effort in exploring - very cool! (Don't let the self-proclaimed "gurus" and purists poo-poo your work!) Nice job!
I say anytime you can take a Ford and make it better by Alfafying it - more power to ya!
Re: 24v heads on a 12v engine
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:42 pm
by tectoteam
alfascort wrote:
i have been told the bottom end castings are the same so it must be possible to do even if a few mods are needed
negative......(for 3L)
a difference exist, left header the same,
but for the rigth, two different 24 heads.
consider the old one and the recent one.
the bottom of the old one looks like the 12v.
the old ones, had a small cap that is used for a oil vent gazzes where the ignition rotor take place in the 12v one.
the recent one hadn't that.
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:30 pm
by Zamani
Hey Mats didn't you just come back from England?
Hmmm...let's see.....just went to England....confesses to love MK1 Escorts....and now talks smack about Alfa V6.....
Diagnosis:
Too much fish and chips.

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:27 am
by Maurizio
Zamani wrote:Diagnosis:
Too much fish and chips.


You forgot: Too much "WARM" beer ....
Escort are cool, also ford cortina's .... but that is a different subject.
Some serious project you've got there. Look at it as a kit car.
Re: 24v heads on a 12v engine
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:17 pm
by alfascort
tectoteam wrote:alfascort wrote:
i have been told the bottom end castings are the same so it must be possible to do even if a few mods are needed
negative......(for 3L)
a difference exist, left header the same,
but for the rigth, two different 24 heads.
consider the old one and the recent one.
the bottom of the old one looks like the 12v.
the old ones, had a small cap that is used for a oil vent gazzes where the ignition rotor take place in the 12v one.
the recent one hadn't that.
so is it not possible to mod the block to take the 24v heads?
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:15 pm
by junglejustice
You CAN do it and it HAS been done, but it is cost-prohibitive... Just find a 24 valve donour motor - I have about 5 left in South Africa - ready for rebuild - and shipped anywhere in the world...
Re: 24v heads on a 12v engine
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:29 am
by tectoteam
alfascort wrote:tectoteam wrote:alfascort wrote:
i have been told the bottom end castings are the same so it must be possible to do even if a few mods are needed
negative......(for 3L)
a difference exist, left header the same,
but for the rigth, two different 24 heads.
consider the old one and the recent one.
the bottom of the old one looks like the 12v.
the old ones, had a small cap that is used for a oil vent gazzes where the ignition rotor take place in the 12v one.
the recent one hadn't that.
so is it not possible to mod the block to take the 24v heads?
dont said that, there is 2 different rigth (destre) heads, and then then block is in accordance...
if yu get the false one yure......fucked somewhere.....
as JJ said, get a complete engine 24v, it cheaper and faster than far.
yure in europe, this sounds to be undificult.
i know near me a complete car 164 at sold for 1000€ makes 650 pounds.
engine is 100.000kms and running finebut the car crashed...
these kind of deal yu had to schearch.
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:36 am
by junglejustice
Just thought that I would share what I just saw in South Africa...
If this guy can put in a small block Chevy, you can certainly drop the Alfa heart in the Escort and feel good about it!
Cheers, JvR
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 3:52 am
by alfascort
well it deffo fits ok
i gonna be going the turbo route with it
altho im not sure now if the 24v is worth the hassle over the 12v's
prolly wouldnt make that much difference if im running a turbo
what you reckon?