Anyone know the difference between the silver top zetec 2Ltr and the later blacktop zetec found in the last of the mk2 mondeos. Wanting to convert my Mk 4 escort to 2Ltr zetec but the early silver top lumps are getting in short supply . But plenty of black tops are availiable with very low miles. Only noticable difference i can see is the engine mount on the lefthand side?

 

think waterpump too. with the silvertop you need a 1.8 escort/fiesta waterpump, but think you can use the blacktop one as is.

another issue is the PATS. stupid management won't let engine run unless the original key and barrel is used that was fitted with the engine in the factory.

try and find a donor car, mondeo 2.0 from about 1994 or around that era. then you need the escort/fiesta 1.8 sump, oil pickup, waterpump, downpipe.

Or do what I did and get the 1.8 in and running first then build up a proper bo 2.0/2.1 to replace it with at some point in the future when all the wiring, mounts, plumbing is in place, the escort loom is much easier to get in than the mondy one which doesn't use edis and is as such less suitable for aftermarket management modifications. or so I hear.

If you havent done a zetec conversion before then a 1.8 will be much more straight forward.

 

the black tops use solid shims instead of hydraulic lifters.
may need setting different due to different running temps.

may work better with higher RPM's.

 

I have done three silver top zetec conversions so far and am just im process of helping my mate with converting his 2i to 2Ltr zetec.
The silver tops are getting less and less as the newest ones are about seven years old now.So am thinking of using the later black to to convert a 3i i have just bought. As i mentioned i have never had much to do with the newer zetec. What about the engine mount, does it have to be altered because it looks far different to the silver top! Also will the engine run on 3i managment like the silver top?

 

as far as im aware you can use the black top.
you will need to convert to escort components as you would with a silver top.
they can run on 90 spec efi management as mine is now.
see here might help: http://www.16vzetec.com