Ford 1600 X/FLOW Formula Ford ReBuild |

[@jadams3427]

This man has incredible knowledge. I can't imagine why I have never had a Ford. In my early car days I had a 1275cc Midget, and a friend had an 1100cc Escort estate. His Ford piddled all over my Midget. My friend was about to PAY someone to service the 1100. I did it with him, and it was a joy to work on.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you, it's not too late to buy an old ford.. I do like mg midgets though, I'm a bit too big for them lol

[@davestephens6582]

A true professional engine builder at work .Had a 1600 x flow in my 1600e back in the 70s great engine. glad to see there are still about.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Dave. Was it standard or did you modify it.. I do like a xflow

[@davestephens6582]

@@graceenginedevelopments Rebuilt engine with ported head a high lift cam , different exhaust manifold and lightened flywheel also changed diff to a 4.2- 1

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I bet that was pretty quick

[@angusshapland2273]

Takes me back 60+ years !

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Happy memories hopefully

[@v6pulsar]

Awesome video, extremely professional work without the bullshit so often seen on many other channels!

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you.

[@John-q1h3o]

When I used to do re-boring we used to make a 1761 out of a 711M block using power max pistons, it flew!

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@John-q1h3o I bet it did.. can you remember what piston it was

[@stevem7868-y4l]

I loved this vid, these kent blocks are so easy to work on, ive built 20 + my best one, WAS A 1691 STAGE 3, WITH A 28/36DC electronic ignition, made 145bhp, on its first run, and 153 once timed up, i never went back to the fuel guzzeling twin weber 40's

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you Steve.. that sounds like a great engine you built there

[@stevem7868-y4l]

@@graceenginedevelopments it was !, and the only 4 stroke engine i ever built that had a power band, under 4k, it was horrible, but between 4-7, WOW, i limited it to 7, but it did rev higher,

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@stevem7868-y4l very Cammy then!!

[@stevem7868-y4l]

@@graceenginedevelopments Piper 285

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Oh.. good cam

[@adamhall2530]

do love a grace engines video no bullshit just proper engine building . does your crank grinder do offset grinding going to building a 2.2 pinto in the future just gathering parts at the moment but will need some rod work and crank offset grining flywheel double doweling balancing etc etc at some point

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks for the compliment Adam, yes I can do that for you let me know when your ready👍

[@davidmeasday6169]

As ever. Good informative video with attention to detail. Well done James

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Dave.. hope your ok speak soon mate

[@SimonCarson_Racing]

Another awesome video, I could spend hours watching engines being rebuilt, the time and experience put into these is phenomenal, well done, keep up the excellent work

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Simon.. I will do my best to keep them going.

[@leebrackstone9256]

Top work james. Love a xflow 👍👌

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks mate

[@julianwinn4502]

Very thorough and professional - impressive

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Julian

[@berkshirebodyshop6031]

Nice shade of blue on the engine james

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes mate thanks for sorting it x

[@2D3Dmindsets]

Another trip down memory lane (like last night's viewing of the MG 1800 engine rebuild). Before the MG I owned a 1600GT crossflow Cortina (from around 1977 to 1979). Never had the bottom end apart but had the head off for a decoke or two.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks for viewing, we do quite a few crossflows. They can coke up a bit.. quite fast engines

[@russellwhite1181]

Great work mate its nice to see an engine refresh. Top job

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks mate.. hope your ok

[@aureliomonteiro12]

m7 cam very nice

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you

[@aureliomonteiro12]

And the essex v6 engine.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you

[@philipcarrotte9989]

Great video and good workmanship as usual

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you Philip.

[@kyleholmes6867]

Great video, learning so much 👍

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Kyle.

[@mrb3483]

Very informative and very thorough build,il subscribe👍

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you

[@mk1jack]

Great work

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Jack

[@dover2910]

Great Vid from Aust, having just done Brands and the WHT

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Neil

[@24bellers20]

I would have loved that done to my old Mexico in 1976. Wish I still had it.🙁

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I bet you do, worth a small fortune now

[@iamscotticus8081]

Thanks so much for this vid. several others have put up high speed videos that are impossible to follow and no verbal instructions of any value. Your videos are like taking a technical course I can learn useful skills from. I realize you can't possibly share everything you know on this format but you do very well. I haven't seen an Xflow head build yet...

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you, we are trying to contain as much info as possible

[@RobFieldingz]

Great teaching explanation as usual! Question: When you take measurements for TDC, valve opening and clearance, measuring height and dwell, you showed them all from cylinder one. Question is: do you repeat all measurements on 2, 3 and 4 as well, or are you confident you only 1 and can extrapolate? You’ll need to tell us if it gets more than 120hp once your customer gets it on the dyno! Also loved the trick colour.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi Rob thanks for viewing I'm pleased you liked it.. I ran the cam in my cam reader(which I'll show on another video soon) so I'm confident the data would be the same.. I do sometimes double check but didn't on this just used the data.. I will of course keep you all up to date when I here the results.. I'm pleased to say the customer was happy with the new colour as well.

[@gavinsansom6266]

Great stuff. Hopefully you’ll get my engine for a rebuild sometime! 👍🏻

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you, bring it over anytime

[@LuisSousa-j6o]

Hu guys, what a wonderful video and run through all the minor details in engine building! Absolutely delightful to watch. I'm going through rebuilding my 1600 xflow as well and there's a BCF3 cam in it. I wonder if you could shed some light in the last bit of cam timing. Once you figure out the cam figure (in the video 112 initially), how is the adjustment done? I have a vernier pulley... Cheers

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you.. send me an email and I'll reply.. let me know what you want.

[@stevessheduk6623]

Top work as usual, it's interesting to see all the measurements that go into building a compliant engine for a specific class. 💪🏻😎

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks mate.. it's got to be right

[@ryanmcquillan4587]

Another great video 👍 Alot more horsepower got from a crossflow nowadays 🏁

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Ryan, rules are very tight on this.. the engine was about 8hp down so I'm hoping the few mods and the rotor arm will sort that.

[@davec3459]

Stumbled across your vid. Great vid, love crossflows (but not touched one for a long time) my first cars were all fiestas, mk1's & mk2's, with various size crossflows in. Really interesting to see one stripped, measured and rebuilt properly with it all explained clearly - Subscribed

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Dave, I love xflows too there a great engine. Thanks for subscribing

[@kevinapps1233]

Really good job 👍🏼one down side where are the safety class's when using the mill etc. Latex gloves would be a good idea too unless you are using barrier cream.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Kevin.. Yes I agree with the safety glasses it's one thing I need to sort out.. my bad habits have passed on to Sam.. we do use barrier cream.

[@kevinapps1233]

@@graceenginedevelopments please start using safety equipment or you will passing on bad habits hundred via your vlogs Ps thanks for replying makes a change from some who are a lot worse on safety and other engine building method.

[@Gt11152]

I’ve been telling him for years Kevin, it goes in one ear and out the other.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Kevin just been told off by the wife.. lol I'm taking your advice and ordering glasses tonight.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Tracy I'm doing it now.

[@ptibbitts-nu9jr]

I use the Burton (Blue) Competition Sump set with rubber journal seals

[@graceenginedevelopments]

And does yours leak?

[@thomascagle8904]

It's great when the mechanic turns out to be a engineer in disguise. Great video

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you

[@D3Sshooter]

Nice build , would be good to have seen how you measured the piston CC's.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you.. I will next time for you.. on a xflow or an engine

[@hyphensclassics]

Love all the details you go into. Worries me how much I might get you doing to mine! 😂

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks mate.. yours needs to be right.

[@craigladewig3158]

LOVELY BUILD, any idea what size jetting in the carb ?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Craig.. sorry no.. the car went to the rolling road with the customer

[@FORDSCORT]

Great video 👌 I've just finished my Forged 1700 twin 45s hopefully ready for the Dyno soon🤘

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you... That will sound mega

[@FORDSCORT]

@@graceenginedevelopmentsMy 8 year build on My grandfathers Australian Ford Escort MK2 Ghia, he bought it new in 76. Can't wait to hear the screaming Weber fed xflow symphony through the hills 🤘🤘

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I bet the car is lovely.. do you have pictures of it.. it will definitely sound amazing.

[@danielpluckrose8994]

Great video… mind me asking what colour that blue was? Paint code?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Daniel, sorry I don't know, the bodyshop nextdoor mixed it up for me, I'll ask them

[@danielpluckrose8994]

@@graceenginedevelopments that would be awesome! Looks exactly like the colour I want to paint my race car! Do you guys do much with Vauxhall C14se engines

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@danielpluckrose8994 it's VW t5b ber008 apparently.. yes we've done a few

[@danielpluckrose8994]

@@graceenginedevelopments star thank you bud

[@paulcrehan9523]

Hi James, hope alls well, great video again, love the in-depth content, it gives people some understanding of what goes into building an engine, be good to see what it makes on the dyno now 👍👍👍

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi Paul all good here (apart from wet and cold).. how are you? Thank you

[@paulcrehan9523]

@@graceenginedevelopments busy as I can be here, we haven’t had spring yet, winter weather is just hanging around still, summer is only 2 weeks away and we are having storms still, ah well just keep going eh

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yeah keep pushing forward it can't rain all the time.

[@jjamanda]

Very interesting to see you balance the both crank and flywheel then the clutch assy would the balance of the clutch be thown out by wear of the clutch??????

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi, the way I balance the assembly is. First I balance the crank, then the front pulley and flywheel lastly I bolt the clutch cover in and balance that.. the clutch plate doesn't get done because it's always moving. Clutch covers are always quite bad

[@jamesbishop2555]

@@graceenginedevelopments understand fully now thanks for the explanation also super videos

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Your welcome, thanks for viewing

[@Jim_M_75]

I know this is way after the fact but would it matter much if the flywheel and clutch were bolted up in a different rotation last time it was balanced ? Not trying to be a knob or anything, I've always struggled to get my head around balancing the rotating assembly, at the end of the day the rods, pins and pistons still need to be attached to this yet so it seems a black art to me haha.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I balance everything individual so if a clutch needs replacing it's only the cover to re balance. It shouldn't matter, however most flywheels only bolt up one way

[@Jim_M_75]

@@graceenginedevelopments Cheers mate, I've subbed and just about to move onto the 20XE redtop build

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@Jim_M_75 thanks for subscribing, hope you enjoy

[@chriswoods3188]

Is that the old Kent 1.6 or the newer fiesta engine?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

It's the old Kent 711m Chris

[@chriswoods3188]

@@graceenginedevelopments those are the best ones ever made. I have 2 of them in my pintos.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Definitely a great little engine

[@gmc59ful]

awesome vid please do more Formula Ford motors as they come in. Maybe dyno vids if ya can.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@gmc59ful thank you... Will do

[@lawrencesargant1669]

Why use standard rockers?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi Lawrence, because the rule for the championship only allows them.

[@JaapBlijleven]

Nice video, is the engine dyno-ed after the rebuild? If so, improvement? Or did the customer notice improvement? Thx.

[@misters2837]

Those engines are very tough, so much so that not only were they Marinized, but also Diselized / Marinized!

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes there a great engine.. rev really well

[@gerryellis3847]

If you skimed the block or the head, did you have to skim the push rods?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

No Gerry, not too much was taken off so the rocker arm had enough adjustment

[@ptibbitts-nu9jr]

Just finishing building it, I have several of these engines in Lotus Twincam format, I've used cork, composite and the latest trial is with the blue Burton Competition Sump gasket set. It has rubber / nitrile contoured seals for the front and rear crank seals. It's not obvious how to fit these and there's no-one giving any advice on here. Part of the issue is seating the nitrile seals to keep them in exactly the correct place prior to the sump pan being fitted. The blue flat gaskets on the block edges, can be held in place with RTV or similar. But the black rubber contoured seals are just 'balanced' on the front and rear journals, waiting to be clamped by the tin sump - it's not an ideal method as the seals could move whilst the sump pan is lowered into place. There's just a worry the seals have been displaced during fitting the sump, but to check would mean undoing all the bolts and destroying the RTV gasket seals, as you can imagine. Just don't want leaks again as previous - (this is a really poor engineering method of sealing the sump pan!!)

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I can explain how I do it if you want to email or call me, I will film next time as well..

[@ih8hertz1]

Do you have any videos on how to set the timing on an xflow

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I don't think so unless it's on here. Next one I can film.. I think I go through timing on this video actually

[@ih8hertz1]

I built my engine using the Haynes manual and it ran OK at first then got a bit lumpy and the engine ran quite hot although the temp gauge always sits at half way. I have one of those oil pressure gauges that the previous owner fitted and it always sits about 35psi or maybe above. Someone said that the heat could be due to me having the timing out 180 degrees even though I followed the instructions... here's a short video of it running previously...its back out now to refurb the engine and bay kzbin.infofQpnuWN9Wok?si=tkljGSNwsjGNvwba

[@mikemccarthy1398]

nice work

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Mike

[@kevstrawmonochromeracing999]

What app do you use to record data and measurements

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi kev. I use a sheet which I planned out and had printed. I also use some software from performance trends

[@ptibbitts-nu9jr]

Wanted to see how the sump cover was fitted to seal it well - disappointed with the rushed finish

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Next one that comes in I'll film the sump fitting for you

[@inneshickman]

Good video. I don't like to see machining ops taking place without eye protection though... Get those safety specs on!!

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thank you.. will do

[@brr3065]

Hi do you know what paint was used on the block ? Thanks

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes. Do you want the make or colour

[@brr3065]

Yes please if you can give me the make and colour , thank you

[@bobawatsit]

so you advanced the cam timing

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi Rob without looking at the build sheet I can't remember completely but I'm sure I advanced it to try on the rolling road/ test day.

[@MrKornhole]

Is that City Chevrolet T you are wearing from the States? In my earlier years I worked for a dealership in Charlotte, N.C. USA

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes it is, that's cool. I want to go to Charlotte for a holiday it looks amazing, and go round all the teams and engine shops.. do you still live there?

[@MrKornhole]

No longer living there. Have been in Green Bay, Wisconsin for the last 33 yrs. I was born and raised in Charlotte, have family still living there. Lots of friends in the racing world. Started Dirt Track racing at the local tracks in the early 70's. Some of my favorite shops to go to are Holman and Moody, Tiger Tom Racing. Both shops are fun to go see and get parts from. H&M were known for Ford engines and various other Ford parts. If you get to go have fun, enjoy the food.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@MrKornhole do you prefer Wisconsin? I will definitely find the time to go soon.. I will look those places up. What I e seen on the internet it looks amazing

[@MrKornhole]

Love it here. Gets a bit cold in the winter, but summers are good. Do lots of atving and hunting and fishing. No racing though.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@MrKornhole living the dream.. I can't wait to get over and see

[@AP-iv7px]

This engine has Not the stock crankshaft. Is this correct for a formula Ford Engine ?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes in the rules you can use this replacement

[@ih8hertz1]

What is the torque settings for the sump on a 1600 xflow

[@graceenginedevelopments]

About 10nm

[@ih8hertz1]

Thanks a lot that's much appreciated.. do you apply instant gasket onto the sump gasket before fitting or would that cause problems

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Only a little in the corners

[@ih8hertz1]

​@@graceenginedevelopments... sorry to be a pain in the hole but by corners do you mean the bits where the Cork gasket fits into the black rubber seals

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes exactly there. Sometimes I also put a few dabs to hold the gasket in place

[@bobawatsit]

micky mouse way u have for finding TDC ...best to rotate crank in both directions to a fixed piston stop then / by 2

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks for the feedback.. the dwell was found, and double checked

[@bobawatsit]

Just wanted to give you my approach when working on top of the line formula engines, but what ever works I guess

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I appreciate your feedback Rob, and us your way as well on some engines. My customer wants to try and develop the power delivery so we will be changing them timing about soon to see. Thanks for viewing and taking the time to comment

[@iamscotticus8081]

to advance or retard to a point? Same for cam indexing, lock it in a degree advanced or retatded?

[@lee106rally]

Great work once again very interesting!! Iv just had my v6 Duratec built by a local engine builder, They said the crank was balanced without the flywheel and clutch as they’re externally balanced 🤔 Interesting to see here how much difference the can actually make

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Lee . How did they know the flywheel and clutch was balanced

[@lee106rally]

@@graceenginedevelopments that I’m not sure mate. They’ve built it now fingers crossed 🤞

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Fingers crossed for you Lee.. duratecs are normally very good anyway mate

[@Rovinman]

SO SO Interesting ! By the way, Question ! What is BLUEPRINTING, an engine ? Thanks and Take care, Stu xx

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi Stu.. thank you.. blueprinting is basically making sure everything is perfect, the cc's are all the same, the manifolds match the ports, compression is set, ring gaps are right etc etc

[@Rovinman]

@@graceenginedevelopments Thanks for that James ! Take care ! Stu xx

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@Rovinman no worries, you too.

[@aib0160]

Pity we can't see the rebuilt engine on the dyno or out on the track.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

I've probably got track footage

[@aib0160]

@@graceenginedevelopmentsIt would be great to see the outcome. 👍

[@KENNEY1023]

Have you ever thought about getting a dyno?

[@graceenginedevelopments]

We have one but it's not back up and running yet from when we moved

[@johnford1332]

HI AGAIN.A VERY INTREASTING VIDEO GOOD WURK.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks a lot John 👍

[@benthere8051]

I had a 1600 cc engine in my Pinto. It was a stout little engine.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yes they are good. Still now pretty fast

[@0120raptor]

I`m quite annoyed about this video seeing as I built the engine originally. We balance the crank WITHOUT the dowel .You are checking it WITH the dowel. So it will show out of balance. This has a knock on effect showing the flywheel wrong when in fact it was correct if you`d taken into account the dowel.We then fit the dowel and flywheel together and rebalance . If you were to remove the dowel from the crank you would find the balance perfect. Both ways will give the same result but it makes me look bad when in fact it was correct to begin with. The deck height should have been left where it was. It works better there. Now you`ve machined a few thou from the block this alters the rocker geometry. The end result is the valve lift will now be too much making the engine illegal. Mains should be 70 not 60. There was an issue with all the Farndon crank pins (the main reason why they are no longer used )in that they ALL were slightly barrel shaped from new.The pins and mains are all checked on new cranks but we didn`t check for barrel shaped pins. I don`t know how it`s possible to grind them like that. It doesn`t however cause any problems. Where did 122 BHP come from ????????????. None of them give anything close to this. Otherwise a very good video.

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Hi feel free to give me a call, I said how well built this engine was and definitely didn't want to annoy anyone.. I was asked to give it a look over because it was slightly down on power, however we found what I think to be the reason for the loss (the rotor arm) the things we found was observations not complaints it was a well built engine and we said that from the start, please give me a call.

[@haraldseitz5856]

this crank is not leagal ! in FF

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Yeah it is

[@haraldseitz5856]

@@graceenginedevelopments it has not the original form, the only crank in FF reglement is a scat ! wich locks like a std crank maby in the Uk it is alowed to use a crank like this ??

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@haraldseitz5856 yes the rule must be different here.. the crank was supplied by ff.. where are you based

[@haraldseitz5856]

@@graceenginedevelopments in Blgium ! in France also this crank is not autorised , Thanks for your answer !

[@graceenginedevelopments]

@@haraldseitz5856 no problem

[@paulrunell7821]

valve

[@graceenginedevelopments]

Thanks Paul