Escort Hub on a Fiesta

[Vtach Racing]

I broke a hub on my Fiesta - these are getting difficult to get but I thought I saw some fiesta with a hub from an Escort... does anyone know the differences?

Bill
ITC Fiesta

[joeg]

They are different part numbers, so I am not sure.

I do believe that the front bearings (two tappered with inner and outer seals--not a cartridge) are interchangeable between the Fiesta and the early model Escort/ Lynx (1981 to 1983.5). Not sure about the splines--at all. Of course, Escort Hubs for such years are no longer available new; those cars are getting rare also.

You can forget any post 1983.5 Escort source as they switched to a cartridge bearing and a bigger hub.

Hope this helps

[grjones1]

Bill,

Don't have the specs right now, but we researched the idea of the Escort hubs years ago and decided it wouldn't work without serious transformation ($) - I believe the biggest problem was with the axle splines and of course legalities.

But Jeff and Jim Leone are still making "replacement" hubs for the Fiesta. Ain't cheap but easier and less expensive than going to another model.

I corresponded with them last week as a matter of fact - (busted a hub on mine last race of the season due to a sticking caliper over-heating the assembly). I can get you Leone's contact info if you like?

I have used stock hubs if you want them, but of course you are asking for another wheel-leaving-the-car experience when you use them.

[Vtach Racing]

I did get Jim & Jeff Leone's email address from fellow fiesta racer, Jeffrey Jenkins.

I also heard from yet another fiesta driver that he is looking for a set - I wonder if the Leone's get a request for 3 or 4 sets if they'd give a price break. Maybe even if BAT would want a few a few more sets.

Do you have contact info for anyother fiesta drivers that might be interested in going in on this?

Bill
ITC Fiesta

[grjones1]

Bill,
All the Fista drivers I knew have gone on to other cars. But I'm sure willing to join a group effort. Leone's hubs are supposed to be better than BAT's were.

G

[Vtach Racing]

G Jones,
Sounds good... Here's my contact information so we can discuss outside of this forum.

Bill McCoin
cell 813 334 3603
email: [email protected]

[Gary Swanson]

Wow, a group - well a couple, anyway, Fiesta racers in one spot at the same time! How rare is that these days. Bill, I'm the other guy (I think) that you spoke to about the hubs a few days back. I am still using stock hubs and have broken 1. So far, since that particular dose of adrenalin, I have put new bearings on after 3 or 4 weekends and have had no more failures. Probably wishful thinking that its been cured though.
I borrowed a "used" BAT hub from Ed Huth in Michigan to see if I could find another source.

If we're talking about putting in a group order, I'm in for at least 2.
Thanks,
Gary
440-796-6910 ©

[grjones1]

Gary,
How long have you been racing the Fiesta?
G

[jimbbski]

I don't have much to add to this thread only that I raced Fiestas back in the day. From 1988-1995, then sold the car. It was raced in NE region in 1996-1998 by the new owner. I'm not sure after that. I did see the car for sale in "SportsCar" about 4 years ago. It was runnig Production at that point.

I broke a 3 hubs over those years. All were the OEM 1978-1980 production hubs. I never broke a BAT sourced hub. Have you tried the VW method of increasing hub life? Over tightening the hub nut. I always did with the BAT hubs and as I said, never broke one.

I still have an old Fiesta front brake rotor sitting aroung. When placed next to my 13 X 1.25 rotors I used on my Mustang Cobra R I just shake my head.

[Gary Swanson]

G,
I am a racing retread. Ran FV, FF, even a FSV in the 70's then family and career. About 10 years ago a buddy, Maurice LaFond, offered to me a Fiesta to run a school "for fun." Bug bit again and about 5 years ago I bought the Fiesta I'm running now. Schedule only lets me get out a couple times a year, but we've worked on the car and dropped lap times at Nelson Ledges from 1:30 to 1:24's.

I actually bought the car because at the same time I had a basket case vintage FF I was slowly restoring and the Fiesta had a bunch of spare engine parts.

Up here at Nelson/M-O, the CRX's and Civics pretty much rule the class. There is a blazingly quick Renault and an X-1/9.

How about you?

Gary

[grjones1]

We sound to be of similar vintage. Only I never had the guts to race open wheel - started in an F-Sprite in 1971 and due to economics went the SS route: 914 2.0 (only through sponsorship from a dealer), R-5, Fiesta, GTI, GLH. and finally my ITC Fiesta since 1991.

We've lost wheels five times even on two occasions with comp hubs (due mainly to my inattention to brake overheating). Anyway I strongly recommend the comp hubs; those stock babies as you know are throwing dice loaded against you even with close attention to new bearings. But I've loved the car and we still give the Hondas and others a run for their money. Managed even to win a few races.

Good talking with you. Come to Summit sometime.

G. Robert

[Gary Swanson]

G.
Thanks for the invite to Summit. Have wanted to get there for a number of years, just never quite fit into the schedule - maybe 08. Do you ever get up to Mid-Ohio or Nelson Ledges?
Where did we leave things with the hubs? Are we putting in a group order, or on our own?
Gary

[grjones1]

Bill came back with the fact that Leone wouldn't discount. So I guess we're on our own. Do you have contact info for Leone? If not, email me at [email protected] or on this message center and I'll send you all I have. He's responsive and willing to build the hubs.

Sorry we left you hanging; I got embroiled on another string.

Yes I raced Nelson years ago with the Sprite. We were third overall in a 6-hour and broke an axle with 7 laps to go. Raced a few other times there at regionals with I think as good as a 2nd. But haven't been back since.

Never been to Mid-Ohio. These days I need to conserve energy and long tows north are energy consumptive.

G.

[joeg]

I am sorry if this is an expensive sugested option, but have you Fiesta owners ever explored HUB & parts availability in the UK? MkI Fiestas are identical to US Fiestas (except for engine displacement). Correct?

Exchange rate and shipping are crazy, but it still should be an option.

Early US Escorts are, except for some sheet metal, Mk3 Escorts.

Cheers.

[grjones1]

Thanks for the thought, Joeg. I think your assumption that the UK sources might be a more expensive route is probably accurate. And I beleive you are correct on the Mk 1 thing. We can still get axles and bearings and even some sheet metal here. But, I've looked on the web for such sources in the UK without success. Other than rinkydink peices we can find in the junkyards, I haven't been able to find viable parts replacements. Doesn't mean they aren't there, I just didn't see any. If anyone has found such, please let us know.

G

[joeg]

Google Ford dealerships in the UK (or any UK Ford "mains" dealer) and email their parts departments to see if any NOS hubs are available for Mk 1 Fiestas. If you have no luck, try Burtons, a great UK Ford aftermarket house.

Brit merchants are very helpful and accomodating.

There are probably UK-based Fiesta owner groups and websites that can also help. The Fiesta was (still is) a popular "clubman's" racecar in the UK.

Finally, do you have the Ford North America part number for the Hub? Did you check Partsvoice.com?

[grjones1]

Joeg,

Hey, you are indeed a fountain of information. Haven't done some of those things. As for myself, will try. Hope the the rest of the Fiesters get your info.

G

[joeg]

...and if you don't like the UK, there is always Germany, Spain, etc.

However, given the language issues, work with the UK. I have been doing this for well over 10 years with the Escorts, but the Fiesta would be a no-brainer because it was actually built overseas. However, I would worry about part names--they can be different (think boot & bonnet, dizzy, etc.) and I would bet the UK part numbers are different than those used here.

As for shipping, for me my parts get here faster from the UK than from the South or West Coast, US.

The exchange rates are killers these days, however.

Cheers.

[fiestarob]

Hello All,
Been lurking here for a while on and off but have never posted. I would really like to get the contact information for the Leone's, I race a 78 Fiesta with Midwestern Council and have had a few hub issues. Broke one a couple of years ago at Gingerman and would rather not have that experience again. Please post the info on the board or send it to me via my private email below. Great to here there are still a few Fiestas on track!
Cheers
Rob
[email protected]

[Vtach Racing]

Rob,

Jim's phone number is 860-883-7078
I have his email address at home if you want it.
I know that he's headed out in his RV for a few months.

Where are you located?

Bill

[fiestarob]

Hi Bill, An email address would be great! I am in Southern Wisconsin. I know of 3 Fiestas in the area, 2 of us are still running our cars on a regular basis and the other is sitting awaiting children to grow so some extra racing cash can be set aside. Thanks
Rob

[Vtach Racing]

Jim's email...

[email protected]

Also, I've started copying you on emails that I send out to a couple of other guys - Is this OK? Do you know any other Fiesta guys emails?

So far I have Gary Swanson, G Robert Jones, the Leone's, Ed Suth and yourself.

[fiestarob]

Thanks for the info Bill.
No problem putting me on your email list, always looking for more info on these great little cars. I know a couple other Fiesta racers will ask them if they want to be involved.
Cheers
Rob