ENGINE REMOVAL & BATTERY RACKS
JULY 11, 1998
In our last episode, our hero was wondering, "How am I going to get that motor out of the Escort?" Now there's a plan: I found a man in Quakertown, PA, who will not only remove the engine, gas tank, and exhaust system. He will also weld and install the rear battery rack. I drop the car off this morning. Above is drawing of the rear battery rack.
As I was transporting the Escort to Quakertown, I became a little scared. I suddenly realized I had reached the point of no return. Up until this point I had just been thinking about making an EV, even after I bought the Escort I'm converting, there still was the thought in the back of my mind, "I could just sell the Escort and forget about the whole thing." Once the motor is pulled out of the Escort, and the hole is cut for the battery box, there's no way I could sell it. I have to go forward and make the EV.
Therefore, part of me is excited, "Yes, I'm finally making some progress on building this EV." Another part of me is saying,"Oh no, what have I gotton myself into?" Time will tell.
On other fronts: I have placed a deposit on the Advanced 9" motor. My plan is to visit Bob Batson and EVAmerica in New Hampshire and pick up the motor, then go to Vermont and visit my sister.
I'm also rethinking the battery pack. Chip Gribben's EV Escort had 144 volt battery pack, and I wasn't too happy with it's acceleration. My current plans are to have a 120 volt pack, because I couldn't figure out where to put more batteries. After talking with other EV Escort owners via Email, I've found that many put them under the rear seat where the gas tank was. Once the gas tank's removed, I'll take some measurements and see if it's feasible to mount batteries below the back seat.
My dad has agreed to help me install the electric motor. From his point of view, it's a clutch job and an easy motor installation, since the electric is a lot lighter than a gasoline engine. That will be the next step, once I get the car back from Quakertown. At that point I also hope to post on the web some pictures of the car, sans engine, and of my main battery rack.