ENGINE SWAPS
Luckily for us, Ford developed the Sierra to utilise the drivetrain components from the Cortina to keep the servicing departments happy.This means there is a wealth of options if you want to swap out the original engine for something with a bit more grunt. If you chose a swap from another Sierra model then you have a big choice from the CologneV6s, I4 twin cams and of course the CosworthYB engines.The Diesels and CVH engines are not worth pursuing if you’re after big power. As some of the above are becoming a little thin on the ground there is also the option to convert to a trusty ST170 or Zetec E engine, mounted in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. In order to do this, you will need to get hold of a rear-drive sump and pick-up pipe from G19 Engineering or Retro Ford. A water rail from IKE Engineering or Retro Ford will re-route the thermostat from the back of the engine bay to the front where the rad will be mounted. To seat the engine, you can in fact utilise the original cast aluminium Pinto engine mounts, however the nearside mount needs to have a plate welded to it to allow for you to pick up on a couple of the other mounting points on the
Zetec engine block.There are off-the-shelf alternator kits from Retro Ford that place the alternator under the inlet manifold.You need to be mindful of the clearance on the brake servo depending on what type of induction and inlet you are running. And then there is the usual addition of the spigot bearing in the end of the crank and a redrilled flywheel to take a Pinto clutch.