Escort MK2: Watts Linkage - Part 2

[@MegaProstreet1]

looking daaam good mate keep at it , its going to be a beast

[@noideabuilds9248]

Thanks a million. I hope your right. Seems like I’m loosing the plot sometimes.

[@billywhizz98]

Great video and nicely set up cannot wait for the next one

[@noideabuilds9248]

Thanks William, much appreciated.

[@davebartram1732]

Looking good that mate, can’t see that going anywhere 👍

[@noideabuilds9248]

Thanks Dave. I hope it’s stays attached, however I’ll defiantly be keeping an eye on it for the first year or so. Watch this space....

[@AlfaElaborazioni]

Great videos. I'm looking to fit a watts linkage to the back of classic Alfa and it needs to be custom as there isn't as many options as on the Escort. Your video has been very helpful on details of the fabrication of the setup!

[@noideabuilds9248]

Glad to help, I hope the project goes well.

[@noideabuilds9248]

What Alfa do you have?

[@AlfaElaborazioni]

1969 Alfa GT Junior. I'll fabricate the turrets and use a OEM linkage.

[@erikmackloet6551]

Do you have experience with mounting a compression strut kit on a Mk2 ?

[@gavinwallace9345]

Unfortunately not. I was planning to use a tension kit as it’s a bolt on kit. But it should be pretty simple, you just need to know where the bracket goes. That’s the difficult part and I’m sure a measurement won’t come in the kit.

[@erikmackloet6551]

@@gavinwallace9345 do you some mesurement ?

[@omegarugal9283]

does the bars have to be straight or can they be slighty bent?

[@noideabuilds9248]

Good question. I think they can be bent slighty, as long as the bar scribes an arc that’s as vertical as possible. It’s very hard to explain with words and with out a diagram. But check out this video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rojPZHaabMqXna8 Hope that helps. Good luck.

[@omegarugal9283]

@@noideabuilds9248 i suppose, i want to install such linkage to my jeep but there are a few things on the way, if the bars can be bend to S shape it could clear the engine

[@marty3469]

Had the same problem with the grp4(?) Panhard kit, the one with the pole through the floor. The brace didn't come close to resembling the shape of the floor at all and I ended up cutting the worst side off and making a new one that actually fitted, so I feel your pain lol Those bkts are going anywhere, even if it has a side hit at speed (let's hope not) .. All I can see is the diff cover plate being the weak point where the pivot pin goes . Chipping away with the mods, it's coming along nicely 👍

[@noideabuilds9248]

I hope so Marty. It’s weird how the brackets aren’t better fitting. I don’t know If there’s actually that much variation in floor pans on the escort, but your possibly expect better. Either way it’s certainly a custom job, and trimming them down is the easy part. It would be nice if they stay attached.

[@tomhawkins6349]

I'm just about to tackle this and you've pointed out some things i wouldn't of thought of so big thankyou for that .

[@noideabuilds9248]

Thanks Tom. Much appreciated. Hope the videos help. Any questions just ask and let me know how you get on. 👍🏻

[@benjaminbenson8714]

Great vid again. I've not done the job by any means. Would it be possible to get the car on it's back and fit the axle that way so you can work more comfortably? Not criticism just a query from a total novice!!!

[@noideabuilds9248]

Thanks Benjamin, You can definitely fit the axle with the car on its back, I’ve seen a few pictures online of just that, however, in my scenario, I was limited to the fact that the roll over Jig I made was a little low which didn’t allow the car to go all the way over, and secondly, I’ve done every single thing on the car alone and I don’t have the means to lift the complete axle onto the car, the axle must weigh 60kg (feels like 100kg) and fine tuning the axle position would have been impossible for me alone. But yeah, if you have just the case with no diff, shafts, bearings and brakes it would be a lot easier working upright....

[@benjaminbenson8714]

Cheers. Enjoyed part 1 more so I think as you answered allot of questions. Keep at it. Are you going to go for electric power steering?

[@noideabuilds9248]

Benjamin Benson, electric power steering is defiantly on the cards. I’m planning on running 8 inch wide wheels up front with the heavier f20c block and gearbox, I think it’ll be too heavy as slow speed without.