Ford Starters and Other Matters

Sir,

As a motorist with an active affection for the products at Dagenham I was interested to read Mr. Mead’s letter in the April MOTOR SPORT.

I have owned several Mk. I Cortinas and agree that they have their weaknesses, notably a voracious appetite for starter pinions and ring gears caused by a lack of rigidity in the starter mounting which Ford’s did not bother to modify until the cross-flow range was introduced. However, I have never encountered the problem of the exhaust pipe flange breaking off that Mr. Mead describes, but feel I might be able to shed some light on the cause. Mr. Mead does not state whether his car is the 1,500 c.c. version but as he refers to the “118E” model, I presume it is. It is probably not generally realised that the 1,500 c.c. estate employed an exhaust system identical to the 1,200 c.c. in all respects except that it used a slightly larger diameter pipe throughout. The systems can be interchanged and I suspect that some “pattern” exhaust manufacturers don’t bother to make systems in two different diameters. As the 1,200 c.c. was the “standard” Cortina and much more popular than the large engine Mr. Mead’s car is likely to have had a 1,200 exhaust fitted.

In a different vein I would like to pledge my wholehearted support to some sort of united objection to the Government’s obsession with motoring taxation and legislation.

Changing the subject once again, I might mention that I’ve just finished restoring a Mk. II Consul convertible, for its rarity and fun value. I would love to hear of anyone else who shares an interest in these forgotten and maligned cars as I seem to have been ostracised by fellow vintage enthusiasts! More power to your arm!

Sleaford NIGEL STENNETT-COX