1.6 CVH

[Pete Clayton]

What do we all think of the CVH? Keeps crossing my mind about fitting one as I know of a decent XR2 1.6 lump not doing anything. Would be an easy route as I could retain the 4 speed box and prop and there is not much in the way of electrics to worry about. Lighter than a pinto and about 95bhp standard? I wanted a bit more power but they can be tuned relatively cheaply....

[28ullkq4hau58]

i think if i went down that route,,  i,d get one from a sierra complete with g/box 5speed type 9 the whole lot should be an easy fit ,,

[Dave Taylor]

Hi Pete, don't know what happened there your post needed approving. Checkout my Video from yesterday Following Martin up Honnister pass, Martin's Westfield is running a CVH on a pair of 4o's, that goes really well as you'll see.

[Paul Sheridan]

CVH's always were a sweet engine, I suppose it all depends on what you want out of the car and how much you want to play with the engine, as many have said, you will still get a big grin with a 1300 kent engine in a Phaeton and it will be nice to drive!!. As you are probably aware, I have gone down the Zetec route, but my engine is far from standard, as I have a specific goal in mind with respect to the power output curve. Given that the Phaeton is about as aero dynamic as a London bus, you may as well forget top end, so Im after a blistering mid range, it will probably tick over like an old pig, but when it comes on song ........... YA Hoooooooooo      

[Big Vern]

No fond memories at all of the CVH engine and a flawed combustion chamber design - Ok in the 1940's but not relevent today. Expensive to tune well (RWD ones have little available tuningwise) and the turbo pistons are V expensive and only available as a set. (£600+vat a set and that was about 8 years ago) A decent CVH wont be any cheaper to buy than a good zetec and the zetec has way more power. (1.8l rwd Sierra 90hp, 1.8zetec 130hp (150+ on bike carbs and megajolt).

If you can get a good CVH for free then by all means use it but if you've got to pay money then there'll be a zetec around somewhere just as cheap. 

[Dave Adams]

could be tempted by the 1.8 CVH myself...not as common as they once were. but as its been said the phaeton will never be very fast on top end, but geting there can be interesting.

[Pete Clayton]

Hmmm interesting respones, thought I was going to get shot down!

Part of me thinks seeing as i'm doing a complete rebuild now is the time to fit something interesting. On the other hand i'm trying to do a decent job on a budget and it might be the difference of several months on completion due to chassis mods and finances.

Both of the Dutton's I have owned previously have had 2.0 engines, the Melos had a Pinto and the Phaeton a Triumph 6 cylinder jobbie. They both went pretty well, the Melos with the type 9 could crack about 110mph. Neither of the engines were revvy though and I think thats half the fun in a little car like this and both were heavy old lumps!

[Paul Sheridan]

I'm glad that I have, so far stuck to my original brief ... that was to do a decent job on a budget too.  That why it has taken me over three years so far!!!  But the end result will be just as I want.   Do a bit, save up. Do a bit, save up. and so it goes on  :-)

Although it doesn't help me to stick to my guns, when those Northern buggers keep dangling big juicy carrotts with vids of STUNNING ROADS.....  Cheers Dave 

So I think that interesting is very good Pete, sort the engine and then build the rest around it.

[Paul Sheridan]

Now that would be interesting ..... would have to build a bespoke exhaust system to handle the preassure and extra temperature, wonder how long the turbo would last ??  

[284wrv9k2wgzk]

I think they're brilliant engines. Awkward to gas flow get if you get it right what an engine. Can get 130bhp without turbo from one of these.

[Big Vern]

The work required to get 130hp out of a CVH (and the cost) compared to many other engines doesn't seem justified and all the while your battling the poor original design (hemispherical combustion chamber - no squish, way too long burn times = poor potential power and poor fuel comsumption) interestingly Ford had to put it into production to find this out. Maybe if Ford hadn't considered history to be mostly bunk he could have learned what was already known back in the 1950's and just got on with designing the zetec in the first place :))

[284wrv9k2wgzk]

Hot cam,, big valves, loads of compression, good gas flow job and your away, easy.

[Big Vern]

Yep and that cost big bucks! Same performance can be had from stock or near stock Zetec/duratec and others GM red top etc. and for less money.

If you find tuning the less run of the mill engines as entertaining as I do then by all means go ahead it can be great fun, but if your on a budget there are better engines around.