1989 Sierra LX project

[Mark V8]

I'm a grumpy old git - of 46 years with an unnatural interest in old Fords and V8 engines.

This is a condensed version of what I've been up to for the last 3 years or so!

Car bought for the engine







Recipient vehicle





After some nice new wheels

[Mark V8]

Ford modular T56 from Ebay



T56 modular bellhousing compared to 302 type



Marked up for the chop



Stone cutting wheel on side grinder 

[Mark V8]

After some welding by

https://www.facebook.com/RedTorchWelding





Some CNC action at work

[Mark V8]

Engine going in



Cross member under construction







Gearbox crossmember

[Heath Robinson]

That should surprise a few people! Good work!

[Mark V8]

Thanks

Some engine goodies

Cast steel stroker crank



Forged pistons



Steel rods



Edelbrock performer rpm heads





Intake manifold



Tight fit!

[v6gerry]

nice fab work going to be a great car makes a change from us V6 boys !

[Mark V8]

A turbo 24v would be faster!

[mk22door]

But wouldn't sound like a complete BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love a v8 Sierra, ever since my friend stuck a v8 in his Escort, its always in the back of my mind.

This simply will be the best Sierra ever!

[capri v8 driver]

A turbo 24v would be faster!

I guess you will have around 300 to 330 hp and 460 n/m of torque. Best part of it is that most of the torque will be available from 1500 to 5500 rpm.

With those flat top pistons and 60 cc heads you will have 9.1 compression for your engine, you still have room for a turbo.

[Mark V8]

I was hoping for nearer 10:1 

It's going to be 5400cc with the stroker crank, so that should help.

Turbocharging is something I like the idea of but I would need to spend big $$$ on a stronger block!

[turboshed]

Just a little bit of nitrous for those brown trouser moments

[capri v8 driver]

I was hoping for nearer 10:1 

It's going to be 5400cc with the stroker crank, so that should help.

Turbocharging is something I like the idea of but I would need to spend big $$$ on a stronger block!

With 5.4l the compression would be around 9.6. 

If you want a stronger block go for a 351w. They hold 750 hp with ease.  If you want real big horsepower you will end up, like me, with a dart block. And yes, that is big $$$$$.

Nitrous could be a option, but as I found out, it isn't cheap either if I look at the bills for the broken parts and all the refills.

[Mark V8]

I'm about as lazy at uploading pics as I am at working on my car 







Bought some header flanges from the US but they were a bit chunky so I thinned them down and matched them to the gasket













Hydraulic clutch conversion







More to follow!

[Mark V8]

Strip down

[Mark V8]

ARB captive nuts were badly helicoiled, so I made some more









I removed the seat plate, de-rusted it and welded it back on after some weld though primer

[Mark V8]

Scabby Cosworth front hubs



Some vinegar!









After a few weeks soaking and the odd wire brush session



More wire wheeling...

[Mark V8]

[Mark V8]

Some extra strength as I do not have room for a strut brace





Ebay bargain billet 75mm throttle body 

[Mark V8]

New old stock XR4x4 rear spoiler 



























New old stock floor bungs

[Mark V8]

More seam sealer



New old stock rear bumper imported from the states



A load of epoxy mastic





More primer



Epoxy mastic did not give a good finish so I sanded it all down 



Masked up and ready for some more epoxy primer



Old Git at work





Some two pack frozen white



some of it's good and some of it had loads of runs, dry spots and debris!













Not that happy with it so it's all getting sanded again and re-done a small part at a time....

[turboshed]

Stunning work.alot of time and effort

[capri71]

Stunning work.alot of time and effort

...and vinegar Great work Mark

[mk22door]

Crikey Heck!

It's sooo good 

Amazing amount of efffort and patience.

[capri v8 driver]

Cant wait to see the end result. Top job.

[Lemon-Ade]

Loving the pics. You defo have the skills Mark  an absolutely stunning job, way way better than new