The Cosworth YBB Europa

[andy harwood]

Brian,
I do have the unsued belt at home, was from a known mfg of auto belts. Won't be able to access the info for a couple months though as am traveling.
Wasn't trying to start anything about prices/suppliers/quality. When I needed the belt for my mowing deck, a  machinist at work suggested the site to me. It *may* not even have been the afore mentioned site, but had a great variety.

BTW- Great looking engine Grumblebuns, will be a great ride!

[Mike Surber]

Try these guys http://stores.ebay.co.uk/D-S-MOTORSPORT-PERFORMANCE-PARTS?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 Ebay UK is your friend. I've bought quite a few parts from England.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COSWORTH-YB-COMPETITION-CAM-BELT-TENSIONER-SIERRA-2WD-4WD-ESCORT-/290771045876?hash=item43b34e0df4

[Grumblebuns]

Thanks, I'll keep these guys in mind when I get closer to actually working on the motor.

[BDA]

Just an update about timing belts. I didn't end up talking to anybody about any differences between industrial and automotive belts so I can't unequivocally say they are the same, but in the end, I decided to just get my belt from Dave Bean. Belt companies sell to distributors. Even though the specs of my belt are spelled out in the workshop manual for the Escort RS1600 workshop manual (where the BDA came from), I didn't know if there were other variables that have crept into gilmer/cog belt technology that might bite me so (eg. I believe there are more choices in tooth profile than there were fifty years ago). The one company I called said they sell automotive belts to local car parts suppliers but explaining what a BDA is to a local parts guy didn't appeal to me.


Joji, you might give Dave Bean a call. He might have a belt for you on the shelf or be able to get one for you. On the other hand, if you're getting stuff from Burton Power all ready, it make sense to get one from them, too.

[Grumblebuns]

I guess you're in the same boat with timing belts with your BDA as I am with my engine, not widely known in the US. In your case at least DBE supports or use to support the BD engine series for parts but over the years I suppose they've pulled back considerably on what they have on their catalog.

Have you checked out Cosworth USA?

http://www.nopi.com/dsp_makesv.php?vv=3442   

[BDA]

It's hard for me to tell what's going on at 'Bean. They haven't updated their website since it was published and it had been a long time since I've ordered from them. I asked about a catalog but they hadn't updated their paper catalog (not surprising) and I already had the ones that applied to me (BTW - I advise getting his catalog for the technical information, if for nothing else). I guess that suggests that he stocks most of what is in the catalogs. He used to be a very valuable source of difficult to find parts as well as useful upgrades (e.g. cassette water pump for TC motors). I assume he still is. I just wish he had a wibsite that was kept up to date! I do know he supplied some parts for Jay Leno's Elan. It was a really interesting build checking out the videos (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leno+elan&page=&utm_source=opensearch).


After I ordered the cam belt, I realized I should order a water pump belt also. I couldn't get the number off that belt so I had to give him the diameter of the water pump pulley. Presumably they are both on their way to me as we speak. I don't know if Bean has a belt for your YBB but, as I say, it might be worth a phone call. On the other hand, it would probably be worth a phone call to Cosworth USA just to call them! 

[Grumblebuns]

With the arrival of the final delivery of my wiring system, it's now time to turn to wiring. The system that I chose probably won't appeal to most of you but it is pretty interesting from a technical point of view.
The wiring system that I'm using is from Infinitybox Intelligent Wiring. Not being an EE type, I can only explain the workings in laymans terms as I undertand it.  I ordered the Infinitybox 20 circuit wiring harness kit. Picture 1 shows the kit layed out with the components in their approximate future position in the Europa. The heart of the Infinitybox system are the three modular solid state microcontrollers, the Mastercell and two Powercells.
The center module is the Mastercell, the "gatekeeper or brains" of the system (Picure 2). Most if not all of standard switching functions of the car such as ignition, headlights, fans are wired into the Mastercell by a dedicated colored wire in the harness connector plugged into the Mastercell. The signal from this dedicated input will then be directed by the Mastercell to the front or rear Powercell by the Can Bus cable.
The two end modules are the Powercells (Picture 3/4). Each Powercell can handle up to ten circuits with a maximum of 25 amps per circuit. The wiring from the loads are plugged into the Powercell. As with the Mastercell, each load in the Powercell has a specific node or address in the Powercell. Each wire in the Powercell harness is dedicated to a specific load. When the Powercell receives the signal from the Mastercell, a built in microprocessor switches on power to the required load.
Each Powercell is provided battery power by two leads per Powercell from a four circuit fuse box (Picture 5). A large battery cable connects the fuse box to the battery. Individual circuit protection in the Powercell is provided by a built in fuse box in each Powercell. For loads greater than 25 amps, the output from the Powercell such as the starter motor and probably the power windows in the Europa, is sent to a separate relay.
The biggest downside for most people looking at wiring systems is obviously the cost of the  Infinitybox system.  For me the simplicity of the system was the major appeal. It took me four years of mulling it over before I pulled the trigger and placed my order. We'll see if the results are worth it. I'll post updates of my progress over the next few months. 

[BDA]

That's very interesting, Joji! At first, my eyes glazed over a bit, but I think I understand the idea. Compared to the original wiring, it seems overly complicated, but at the same time, it also seems like a neat way to simplify everything as, after it's programmed, problems should be easy to isolate.


When I built my car, I considered rewiring it but 1) I chickened out and 2) I had a pretty pristine wiring loom so it seemed silly to throw that away. Of course I've added a bunch of stuff that has muddied up the electrics since then.


This seems like a great way start from scratch. Please do keep us up to date on your progress!

[Bainford]

Yeah, very interested in seeing how this all comes together. I am intrigued.

[Grumblebuns]

Yes, this will be a bold new experiment. I have most of the front and rear components installed so hooking up the front and rear Powercells should go fairly quickly. The long delay will be in the cabin. I'm still working in the dash and instruments.

For the wiring connections I thought about staying period and use bullet connectors but came to my senses and am considering using the more modern offerings from Delphi Weather Pack.   

[BDA]

Anything but those bullet connectors!!!