1984 ford escort 2.0 diesel swap

[archer742]

Has anyone tried this Mazda 2.0 diesel swap in a Festiva? Are the transmissons compatable?

[Spike]

Did you actually find a diesel Escort?? drooldrooldrool

Figured they were all gone. Would be an interesting swap, though.

[Festevil3]

I didn't even know they made a diesel escort? What years were they in?

[Damkid]

I would guess they made them in 84' at least

As for the swap itself, as far as I know nobody has even looked into the possibility of it, just remember anything can be done with a big enough budget

[archer742]

ford escort 2.0 diesel

I found one in Indiana at a junk yard. I didn't know ford made an escort diesel but I searched internet and I think 1984,85,86 for sure maybe more. I think they had about 55hp. They are very rare around here in Kentucky. Was wondering if they would bolt up to Festiva transmisson. I think some of the escorts got over 40 miles to the gallon. In a feativa they might get 60 miles to the gallon and have lots of torq but not very fast. I think there is an escort owners site just have not had time to research it yet.

[91blufestiva]

I can almost garantee it wont bolt up. It's a ford motor and we have mazda motors. there are a couple in a junkyard here as well. ford also made a diesel ranger, and a dually ranger, now good luck finding one of those!

[bhazard]

....wow guys come on...really?

Isn't that the Mazda RF diesel?

[Safety Guy]

According to wiki, yes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Diesel_engine

From wiki:

************************************************** **************
RF

A diesel variation of the 1,998 cc FE engine which shares its square internal dimensions of 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and 86 mm (3.4 in) stroke - it is virtually the same block, with identical bell housing pattern and block dimensions. This could be a testament to the F-block's strength as it was over-built for naturally aspirated duty. The RF and R2 continue production to this day as the MZR-CD, with counter-rotating balance-shafts mounted between the engine block and oil pan as well as much evolved head and direct-injection technology. The RF is an SOHC, two valves-per-cylinder engine. One of Mazda's more popular diesel engines, it was also available with a pressure wave supercharger called Comprex.
************************************************** **************

According to wiki, the RF was in these two, among others:

1984–1986 Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz
1984–1987 Ford Escort/Mercury Lynx (North America)

If the FE will bolt up to one of our transaxles, the diesel might. I don't know if either is true, but someone here should know.

Karl

[lessersivad]

According to wiki, yes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Diesel_engine

From wiki:

************************************************** **************
RF

A diesel variation of the 1,998 cc FE engine which shares its square internal dimensions of 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and 86 mm (3.4 in) stroke - it is virtually the same block, with identical bell housing pattern and block dimensions. This could be a testament to the F-block's strength as it was over-built for naturally aspirated duty. The RF and R2 continue production to this day as the MZR-CD, with counter-rotating balance-shafts mounted between the engine block and oil pan as well as much evolved head and direct-injection technology. The RF is an SOHC, two valves-per-cylinder engine. One of Mazda's more popular diesel engines, it was also available with a pressure wave supercharger called Comprex.
************************************************** **************

According to wiki, the RF was in these two, among others:

1984–1986 Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz
1984–1987 Ford Escort/Mercury Lynx (North America)

If the FE will bolt up to one of our transaxles, the diesel might. I don't know if either is true, but someone here should know.

Karl

Hmmm...I may have to get with one of my neighbors that happens to own 2 of these engines. He just did a diesel swap into a later model Tempo and still has another engine/trans. stored away deep in a shed.

Probably won't be for quite a while before i could check anything with different schedules though.

[Safety Guy]

If you can get an RF diesel it might be well worth a shot. Older, less computer control, etc. may make it easier than usual.

Or not.

Karl

[91blufestiva]

Wow I guess I should've done my homework haha! Woops! I never would of guessed it was a Mazda motor.

[Advancedynamix]

Unlike a gasoline engine, diesel engines don't get drastically better fuel mileage with less weight. So the Festiva would only get slightly better mileage and that's only if you used the same final drive ratio. City driving would net better mileage, but highway would be the same.

[getnpsi]

The only reason for me to get a diesel car would to try and score wholesale fuel as my wife is a dispatcher at a truck company. Tried and true gas festiva with nothing wrong can top 45mpg, the diesels after a swap headaches and everything else get the same...not worth it unless you find a swiss cheese diesel donor that isnt road worthy, i.e. just have a diesel engine sitting in your la[p with no home.

That being said i still want to see a swap done and running regardless

[Advancedynamix]

Oh hell ya! I'd love to see a diesel Festiva. Vegstiva! I think a b6 would make a great diesel engine, just use VW injection with some custom forged pistons b6t crank and gtx rods. Glow plugs, turbo, bata bing bata boom!

[Christ]

Oh hell ya! I'd love to see a diesel Festiva. Vegstiva! I think a b6 would make a great diesel engine, just use VW injection with some custom forged pistons b6t crank and gtx rods. Glow plugs, turbo, bata bing bata boom!

You mean "Bosch" injection and VW injectors, right?

That could actually be done on the stock pistons if they'll hold up to boost without breaking. The static compression ratio on IDI diesels is much lower than DI style. Like 15:1.

Drill the spark plug holes out and mill the heads to install pre-combustion chambers (so you don't burn injectors) and hope you have the design right for the pre chamber shape versus the injector shape.

Or you could use a rotary hydraulic pump with a MS style injection system and direct injection by using the spark plug holes for glow plugs (or a spark starter) and milling new holes for DI common-rail injection, which is a better plan for building a custom diesel starting with a gas engine unless you're getting a head cast with specific improvements.

Yes, it should bolt into the Festiva.

If anyone's interested in looking for one, they also came in Topaz/Tempo and Rangers, bolted to Mazda transmissions in those cars as well.