Modifying Dart Engines
Extract from GSM Club newsletter - 1990
BREATHING A 1500 ENGINE
Most of Ford's engines from the earliest 997cc overhead valve to the later
1500cc's have a common problem as far as a crack between the water jackets
running between combustion chambers 3 and 4. This was probably caused by a fault
in the design of these cylinder heads, as they were all identical in design.
There was one though which is different and which the engineers who gasflow
cylinder heads find hotter than the ones mentioned. It is the one which was used
on the 1300cc Cortina Mark II. It is more beefy and can be modified extensively
without the risk of cracking or causing overheating problems.
Breathing, as you know, is the most important aspect of improving an engine's
performance. It is recommended that it is to be done by a reputable firm who has
experience and know-how. Porting and reshaping of a combustion chamber are
critical and the slightest error in size can be detrimental resulting in a
cylinder head becoming scrap cast iron.
Lamco Engineering in Pretoria builds racing engines and will be able to
recommend the stage to which an engine can be taken depending on whether for
road or track uses.
For increased performance, breathing entails
Reshaping ports.
Reshaping combustion
chambers.
Replacing all valves by
bigger ones with stronger valve stems.
Replacing valve guides.
Replacing valve springs.
Replacing rocker shaft
pedestals with steel ones.
Fitting a camshaft ground to specifications matching the specifications of the cylinder head.
As this is very technical and
requires advanced engineering, it is advisable that this should notbe attempted
in a back-yard fashion, but should be taken to a real expert who can be trusted
to do a professional job.
Lucas van Wyk - 1990
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