Ford Cortina Diesel Engine!!!

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jimfin

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Hi All
Well I have always been involved with bike engines and never had a lot of dealings with car engines. I was sold this Nauticus been told that it had a 2.5 Diesel engine fitted. It now turns out that it has a 70's cortina type engine that was converted to diesel. Apparently it was a common conversion at the time.
How would I find out about this type of conversion? Can anyone point me to a site that might have some info? Or have any of you guys out there had any experience with this Hybrid
 
[ QUOTE ]
So that would be a Pinto engine, converted to diesel?

Can't see it.


[/ QUOTE ]I agree. Diesel engines have a much higher compression ratio, and if you skimmed that much off the cyliner head, the valves would hit the pistons. I doubt that the pistons and bearings would take the additional load, either. Diesel engines are much "beefier" than petrol.
 
I worked at Ford during that period, the only diesel used aside from the trucks was the Perkins 4108 in the Transit from memory. Car/ diesel set up's rare in the UK at that time mostly French/Italian and some German during the 70's.
Ford have an Industrial Power Dept. maybe somebody there remembers a Cortina Diesel option probably for export.
Good luck.
 
That looks like a Kent engine. Mostly a bit earlier than the '70s in the Cortina except for the base 1300s.

I have to wonder why you would do all that work to convert a petrol engine, unless it was more to do with research on car engines as later-on most manufacturers developed car-based diesels, rather than use the older and rattly commercial and plant diesels.
 
Think I have a sea panther. Would there be a manual for these or would I have to get a Haynes cortina book. I suspect I will have to get this unit refurbished and would like to strip it myself.
 
The engine was never fitted to any cars, it was solely produced as a marine engine by watermota, as it fits in the same mounts and same gearbox etc. as the petrol engines they sold which were also based on the Ford Crossflow block.

The sea panther was quite common fitment to the Nauticus boats. Its not a bad engine, their relatively smooth running but they do like to leak a bit of oil!

Why do you want to strip it down though? Its unlikely to have any wear in it. So long as the 24volt starting is set up properly, it should start easy and run without trouble. They were fitted with 24v starting coupled to the 12v starter so that when u turn the key, it knocked ten barrels of poo out of it and it bust into life (as no cold starting aids were fitted i believe). If it doesn't have this setup, it may be hard to start but not actually worn out at all. The petrol ford engine in our freeman is all as original and still goes sweetly.
 
[ QUOTE ]
(as no cold starting aids were fitted i believe). If it doesn't have this setup, it may be hard to start but not actually worn out at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Sea Panther does have a preheat! You hold the start key against a sprung position for several seconds before attempting a start. If you look at the engine as you are doing it you see smoke pouring out of the pancake air filter, followed by tongues of flame as you crank the engine over!
Once started, she will not need preheat again all day (ie turn off and restart in locks no problem).

All very primitive compared to modern diesels but it does work, and works well. My Sea Panther was installed in my Birchwood 25 by a previous owner in place of the original Sea Tiger engine.

You will probably find more users of this engine on "The Thames Forum".
 
Based upon the Ford Cortina Block

Take a look Here
Photos Here

Built in the 70’s and 80’s, Watermota designed, developed and built the legendary Sea Panther diesel. Based upon the Ford Cortina Block engine, Watermota with the help of Ford Motor Co and Exeter University developed the diesel unit. These were fitted to hundreds of production boats and many are still in regular service.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
So that would be a Pinto engine, converted to diesel?

Can't see it.


[/ QUOTE ]I agree. Diesel engines have a much higher compression ratio, and if you skimmed that much off the cyliner head, the valves would hit the pistons. I doubt that the pistons and bearings would take the additional load, either. Diesel engines are much "beefier" than petrol.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think you'll find it's earlier than the "Pinto", I thought the Pinto engine was an OHC, the Sea panther is an OHV.
 
jimfin said:
Hi All
Well I have always been involved with bike engines and never had a lot of dealings with car engines. I was sold this Nauticus been told that it had a 2.5 Diesel engine fitted. It now turns out that it has a 70's cortina type engine that was converted to diesel. Apparently it was a common conversion at the time.
How would I find out about this type of conversion? Can anyone point me to a site that might have some info? Or have any of you guys out there had any experience with this Hybrid
Click to expand...
Hi Jim I have the same engine in My Boat I bought Mine in October 2021 so am still doing My research any info You have would be Gratefully received
 
Can anyone help me with the Make and possibly Parts for the Starter Motor... I need the End washer and Retaining Clip that fits on the Bendix
 
Almost certainly a Lucas starter motor. Suggest you take it to an old style specialist in starters and alternators etc. Otherwise as suggested above Sheridan Marine are the specialists in Watermota engines.
 
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