1975 TD Cortina Project

[corty1980]

This is my new project which I picked up a few days ago. Its a 1975 TD Ford Cortina with a precrossflow six in it.

[Twentyover]

What's the plan? Crossflow, SOHC, DOHC,or V8? Weren't 'tinas Oz only by 75?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like she has some multicolor going on..

[corty1980]

Twentyover going to stick with the 6 cylinder but will update it so it wont be keeping the precrossflow it has now or using a crossflow. Will most likely go with a fuel injected six from one of the Falcons we have in Oz but not sure which on yet. Might even stick a turbo on it to get it really going, but it all depends on what my engineer says. So first Iam going to sort out the body which will take some time, and then I can decide on the engine.

Frenchblue72 sure does have some multicolor going on, The car had been started to be restored by previous owner and thats how I got the car, Which I only picked up on the 26th May 2012. The pictures are how I got the car. I have done a little work in the few days that I have had it. I have removed the interior, the front and rear bars. Removed the front and rear glass. Removed the wiring loom. Will be removing the engine/gearbox on the weekend and also will remove the petrol tank. Once that is done I will decide what to tackle next. Will try and post here as often as possible.

[corty1980]

Did some more work on the corty today, took out the petrol tank and surprise, surprise found some holes in the boot floor :(







Then started to remove part of the sill on the drivers side and found a surprise. Not only had the other sill rusted, but also the inner sill :(

[Kenova]

It looks like you have your work cut out for you.
Are these panels available, or will you need to fabricate your own panels?

Ken

[ent72olds]

Well...I will be watching this one! You guys down under usually do some pretty sick stuff! I have to admit, though(IMO), this is one "ugly duckling". I think that's what makes it appealing......

[corty1980]

Kenova I definatly do have alot of work to do on this car. As for available panels we dont have much in Australia, not as lucky as guy with muscle cars in the states. What panels I need I will have to try and source from England or make myself.

ent72olds I do agree with you that at this stage it is an ugly duckling, but when you have so few cars to choose from you have to take what you can get sometimes.

Did some more work on the car today and it was another day of discovering more rust. Ok the rust in the sill was a little worse than I thought, had to cut more of the sill. Some of the inner sill and part of the floor where the inner sill meets the floor will need to be cut out and replaced. Oh well thats what you get with a car thats nearly 40 years old I suppose.

[Kenova]

I can't help but think this Ugly Duckling has been surfing or caught up in a flood or two. It's not like you use a lot of salt on the roads down there.

Ken

[corty1980]

It must have imported the rust from England, as the panels came from England but the car was assembled in Australia. Either that or the lack of rust proofing they had on the cars back in the day.

[LeighP]

Nah, thats just how Cortinas roll.....they rust, like nearly every English car does. You'd think a country that has snow and rain like the UK would know how to build cars that don't rust...nope!

You know...what'd be a cool powerplant for that Cortina? Wait till you can score a wrecked current model Falcon with the EcoBoost direct injection turbo 2 litre engine....they go pretty well, and it'd fit in there real easy. Improve the weight balance as well!

[corty1980]

Leigh Iam going to stick with a six for the corty from either an EL Falcon or maybe even an AU Falcon. Might even stick a snail on it to give it a kick in the guts : lol
Its going to be manual thats for sure no auto for me. Going to upgraded suspension and brakes etc. Basically going to keep the old style lines with updated drivetrain.

[LeighP]

If you can score one, grab an AU+ VCT Tickford engine. I had one in my 99 Fairlane and with a set of headers, that thing was a really sweet engine.

[corty1980]

If you can score one, grab an AU+ VCT Tickford engine. I had one in my 99 Fairlane and with a set of headers, that thing was a really sweet engine.

Eactly, thats what my daily driver is an AU XR6 with VCT and IRS rear end.

[corty1980]

Well I ordered a replacement Quarter Panel from the UK. The postage ended up being more than the part :(

[corty1980]

Ok I got the motor/gearbox out of the corty today Though did have a bit of a disaster, had the end of the gearbox where the tailshaft goes covered with a bag and what happens it splits. I think in the end it leaked all the oil out, not happy jan :(

Anyhow here are some more pics with a clean engine bay, well not clean empty : lol

[LeighP]

Reminds me of my youth....lol, XA Falcons with 250ci sixes in them. Look forward to seeing that VCT 6 in there.

[corty1980]

Today I continued on the rust repairs on the corty. I managed to remove the drivers side inner sill, the jacking point which had a big hole behind it. Also had to remove a small section of the floor next to the inner sill as it had a few pin holes in it. A fair bit of it look seedy so ended up removing more than needed, just to be safe.

The Jackingpoint all cleaned up, looks fine doesnt it, or does it !!!



What was hidding behind the jacking point



Sill and Inner Sill removed







Edge of the floor next to the inner sill removed

[LeighP]

Hate to see what'd happen jacking on that point....a sinking feeling and some bent steel I'd have to bet.

[ent72olds]

Keep at it! I love the "Ugly Duckling".....like I said, that's what makes this project bad ass! It is different!