Ford Cortina Mk1 & Mk2 Tuning Guide

It’s easy to argue that the Cortina was one of the most important cars in Ford’s history. In every way it was bigger, faster, cheaper and more economical than any of its competitors. It even outshone a front wheel drive rival that Ford of Germany was developing at the time. It also gave Fords Motorsport program a huge boost when Lotus got involved, slotted in a twin-cam engine and tweaked the suspension to produce a car that instantly became a legend - the Lotus Cortina. The Mk2 was a refinement of an already successful product and as well as the sporting Lotus model Ford also introduced the highly desirable 1600E; which was luxury motoring at a reasonable price.

With Mk1 Cortinas all being fitted with either 1200 or 1500cc Pre-Crossflow engines and the Mk2 getting initially a 1300 and 1500 Pre-Crossflow and in 1968 the first of the Crossflow engines the obvious popular choice for this car is of course a modified 1600 Crossflow thanks to it being a straightforward fit. Zetec conversions are also popular but require a frontbowl sump to clear the steering gear. It is also entirely possible to fit a Duratec too, but this will involve some specialist fabrication work. Water rails and the like will still be required, though. We’ve seen Pintos and Cosworth YBs fitted in Mk1 and 2 Cortinas but this is in combination with modified Escort front suspension and as such is not a straightforward job.

If you’re sticking with a Crossflow then a 2000E gearbox will be just fine and fit in the standard tunnel, anything with more power would really benefit one of Fords larger gearboxes and as such the gearbox tunnel will need modifying to accommodate it. A Type-9 fivespeed gearbox is a good modification for anyone that wants to do some motorway cruising as having that extra gear on top just drops the revs down a bit more. We can offer a fully rebuilt five-speed gearbox and if you’re wanting to improve performance slightly we can also supply it with a modified first gear ratio. Our range of uprated gearboxes and gearsets will also suit pretty much any application that you are considering whether it’s just stronger gears for your Type-9 or a full on dog engagement gearbox. The "English" rear axle is slightly wider than that of the Escort’s and will still accept the same differential units so there are plenty of options for a limited slip differential depending upon what you will be using the car for.

We can offer a wide range of uprated bushes for the Cortina 1 & 2; which will tighten up the handling no end. We are also able to supply classic Gaz dampers, which will also improve things. Contact our sales team to find out exactly what suspension options we can offer you for your early Cortina. If of course you take the Escort suspension route, you are then open to a wide range of choices in terms of what you can spec for your car. The story is much the same with the brake system, we can offer uprated discs and pads for your Mk2 Cortina struts and a wide range of brake upgrade kits should you opt to go down the Escort suspension route. We of course stock remote brake servo kits which will instantly reduce the amount of effort that you need to push the brake pedal. We can also offer a bias pedal box, which moves the brake cylinders out of the engine bay.

Early Cortinas are highly desirable and even base models can summon a large amount of money but we think that a Zetec or Duratec powered Mk1 or 2 Cortina would make the ultimate modern day, classic, rep mobile.

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  1. Spax front top adjustable damper insert: Ford Cortina Mk2 inc Lotus SPXTAG1178
    £179.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £149.96

    Part Number: SPXTAG1178

    SPAX engineers have developed these 28 stage adjustable damp.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  2. Wheel bearing\hub oil seal: Ford Escort RS Mk1\2, Capri (not 3.0), Cortina Mk1\2 WBOS2
    £2.50 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £2.08

    Part Number: WBOS2

    Available From Stock
  3. SKF wheel bearing kit (front): Ford Escort RS Mk1\Mk2, Capri Mk1\Mk2\Mk3 (not 3.0 from 10\71) SKF114
    £37.80 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £31.50

    Part Number: SKF114

    A high quality genuine SKF wheel bearing kit. SKF is an OE s.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  4. Gaz top adjustable front damper insert: Ford Cortina Mk2 (not Lotus, not 1600E, not 1600GT) GZGAI4105
    £112.90 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £94.08

    Part Number: GZGAI4105

    All units feature Zinc plated bodies giving over 300 hours s.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  5. Gaz top adjustable front damper insert: Ford Cortina Mk2 Lotus Twin Cam & 1600E\1600GT GZGAI4106
    £112.90 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £94.08

    Part Number: GZGAI4106

    All units feature Zinc plated bodies giving over 300 hours s.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  6. Powerflex heritage collection polyurethane bush set (pair): outer TCA, Ford Escort Mk1\Mk2, Capri & Cortina Mk2 PFF19-401H
    £64.68 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £53.90

    Part Number: PFF19-401H

    Modern performance with a classic look! Manufactured using t.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  7. Powerflex heritage collection polyurethane bush: inner TCA, Ford Escort Mk1\Mk2, Capri & Cortina Mk1\Mk2, Anglia 105E. Also anti-tramp bar to axle bush Escort Mk1\2 RS & Cortina Mk1\2 PFF19-402H
    £57.48 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £47.90

    Part Number: PFF19-402H

    Modern performance with a classic look! Manufactured using t.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  8. Powerflex heritage collection polyurethane bush set (pair): Rear leaf spring Ford Escort Mk1 & Cortina Mk2 10\68- PFR19-1409H
    £59.88 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £49.90

    Part Number: PFR19-1409H

    Modern performance with a classic look! Manufactured using t.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  9. Powerflex heritage collection polyurethane bush set (4 off): rear shackle, Ford Escort Mk1\Mk2, Capri, Anglia 105E, Cortina Mk1\Mk2 PFR19-1414H
    £69.36 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £57.80

    Part Number: PFR19-1414H

    Modern performance with a classic look! Manufactured using t.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  10. Powerflex heritage collection polyurethane bush set (pair): leaf spring front, Ford Capri Mk1\Mk2\Mk3, Escort Mk1 & Cortina Mk1\Mk2 PFR19-408H
    £59.88 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £49.90

    Part Number: PFR19-408H

    Modern performance with a classic look! Manufactured using t.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  11. Rubber top mount (each) with taper roller bearing - Ford Escort Mk1\Mk2 -02\77 (large hole), Cortina Mk2 & Capri MP167
    £104.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £87.46

    Part Number: MP167

    Genuine GRP4 fabrications top mount with a serviceable preci.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  12. Leaf spring (pair): Ford Cortina Mk1 GT MFOR3125
    £580.43 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £483.69

    Part Number: MFOR3125

    British designed and manufactured multi-leaf elliptic spring.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  13. Leaf spring (pair): Ford Cortina Mk2 GT 67-10\68 MFOR3096
    £479.76 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £399.80

    Part Number: MFOR3096

    British designed and manufactured multi-leaf elliptic spring.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 3-4 weeks
  14. Leaf spring (pair): Ford Cortina Mk1 Lotus 65-66 MFOR3098
    £490.06 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £408.38

    Part Number: MFOR3098

    British designed and manufactured multi-leaf elliptic spring.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  15. Leaf spring (pair): Ford Cortina Mk2 1600E & Lotus 67-10\68 MFOR3148
    £552.37 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £460.31

    Part Number: MFOR3148

    British designed and manufactured multi-leaf elliptic spring.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 3-4 weeks
  16. Leaf spring (pair): Ford Cortina Mk2 1600E 10\68-70 MFOR3265
    £564.05 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £470.04

    Part Number: MFOR3265

    British designed and manufactured multi-leaf elliptic spring.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  17. Leaf spring (pair): Ford Cortina Mk2 GT 10\68-70 MFOR3268
    £468.16 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £390.13

    Part Number: MFOR3268

    British designed and manufactured multi-leaf elliptic spring.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 1-3 days
  18. Steering tie rod outer: Ford Cortina Mk2 inc GT & Lotus QR1165
    £15.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £12.50

    Part Number: QR1165

    Stock Lead Time Typically 4-7 days
  19. Gaz rear coilover damper: Ford Cortina Lotus Mk1 -06\65 A frame models only GZGP8-2058
    £125.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £104.96

    Part Number: GZGP8-2058

    Available From Stock
  20. Spax rear damper: Ford Cortina Mk1 Lotus A frame SPXG364
    £218.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £182.46

    Part Number: SPXG364

    SPAX engineers have developed these 28 stage adjustable damp.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 4-7 days
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