ENGINE SWAPS
Crossflow
Back in the day, the trick with fitting Crossflows (or Pre-Crossflows) was to cut out the bulkhead and tunnel from a 107E Prefect, and fit that in place of the 100E’s original -— not advisable now considering the 107E’s rarity. So instead you will have to create a new bulkhead using folded sheet steel (Old Ford Autos can supply plans to help), which is possible with basic welding skills.
Assuming you’re retaining the steering box, you’ll also need to source a front-bowl sump (from a 1600cc Mk2 Cortina) along with its pick-up pipe, and ideally source a 107E crossmember that you can bolt Anglia engine mounts to. Otherwise you will need to recreate the engine mount towers found on the 107E’s crossmember, onto the 100E’s. All Crossflow blocks bar the 711M version will drop straight in, but as the latter is slightly wider, you will need to slot the engine mount holes on the exhaust side.
Finally, if you plan to run sidedraughts, you will need to relocate the master cylinders inside the car using an aftermarket Escort-based pedal box.
Pinto
You can retain the standard pedal box when fitting the Pinto but, like the Crossflow, the bulkhead will need cutting out and a new one making up from sheet steel — even more so in the case of the Pinto as it is that much longer.
Ideally, you wan to mount it as far back as possible to counteract any understeer generated by the heavier engine, and to allow room for a Capri or Escort radiator to be mounted right into the front panel. Fortunately, Old Ford Autos have done this swap many times and can supply plans to make up the new bulkhead.
Use a single downdraught carb for less bulkhead mods, or allow more room to fit sidedraughts.The RS-style exhaust manifold is compact and commonly used with this swap, and will need to be mated up with a custom exhaust system.This engine works best with a steering rack conversion as the rear-bowl sump suits the revised crossmember, engine mount and rack layout.
“PINTOS WORK BEST WITH A STEERING RACK CONVERSION”