Cortina front suspension help

[mat_the_cat]

If anyone is following my Stellar thread they may remember that I'm having to do without a front ARB, as that clashes with the engine. Recently though, I've realised that Mk3 onwards Cortinas have a different ARB profile - the bar appears to be bent downwards in the middle to clear the sump, rather than forwards around the crank pulley as on the Hyundai item.

 

It would no doubt improve handling slightly if I could fit one So....can anyone please tell me whether the Cortina bar sits higher than the steering rack when fitted? There is a couple of mm between the top of the rack and the sump, so that is the limiting factor. Although I could possibly make up new brackets if it sits a little higher, to drop it down a touch.

 

Next question is would anybody like to swap one for a Stellar unit? Mine is 18mm diameter and I *think* the Cortina one is only 16mm, so have read about it being a desirable upgrade...

[fordperv]

sheffcortinacentre to the beige courtesy phone, I reckon if anyone knows he's your man

[trigger]

I'd like to help but the car is 25 miles away in storage. Sorry.

[sheffcortinacentre]

chirp chirp, chirp chrip (green trim phone) hello Sheffield Cortina centre how can we help you?

 

the front roll bar as a roughly one inch dip across the middle , the bottom edge is level with the top of the rack.

 

on my V8 I made a spacer to go between the u clamp/rubber & the car mount to clear the front pulley (had to drill a hole in one side as original u clamp slots in one side with single bolt in other).sorry can't do pics useless with computers you're welcome to come & have a butchers.

 

its the rare 20mm one that's wanted.

 

will check tues if I've a spare if not you'll soon get one on www.buysellcortina.co.uk .

[mat_the_cat]

Thanks PM sent.

 

It does sound like I'd be able to get away with it, using spacers would be even simpler than making up new brackets.

 

For info, this is the Stellar ARB:

 

 

And this is one I've pinched from the web, of a Cortina bar:

 

 

I'm surprised at the difference. I was planning on making a mock-up from copper pipe, and then getting one custom made (if I could afford it!) but an off the shelf solution would be ideal!

[sheffcortinacentre]

my spacers go between the uclamp & bracket in pic, just made from bits of scrap bar or tube.

 

escort/capri ones will prob work.

[M'coli]

Forgive me if I'm talking bollox, but doesn't the Stellar have Mac struts up front, rather than the Cortina's wishbones?

[mat_the_cat]

The later ones do, but the first couple of years they had very similar front suspension to the Mk3 onwards Cortinas.

 

 

Only differences I've been able to find are the ARBs, and the camber is adjustable on the Stellar version. All the bushes/dampers/springs are compatible, which helps with parts!