FORD CORTINA REPAIR TIMES
Click here for an interesting sound effect!(Compiled from various data sources)
Note: All Repair Times are based on 113E Cortina. For the G.T. and other variants, see the Comments column. Any queries or quibbles, e-mail Tommy Sandham.
REMEMBER: These time are almost always for "remove AND re-fit" so if you want to know how long it should take you just to remove something, divide the time in half to get a reasonable approximation !
| Engine task | Repair time | Comments |
| Remove and re-fit engine | 3 hours 11 minutes | |
| Fit replacement engine | 4 hours 46 minutes | |
| Cylinder block remove and re-fit | 9 hours 4 minutes | |
| Cylinder assembly, remove and re-fit | 6 hours 38 minutes | |
| Camshaft bearings, remove and re-place | 6 hours 57 minutes | |
| Main bearings - replace all | 2 hours 41 minutes | |
| Camshaft and tappets remove and refit | 5 hours 16 minutes | |
| Camshaft chain - remove and re-fit | 1 hour 42 minutes | |
| Camshaft gear - remove and re-fit | 1 hour 42 minutes | |
| Carburettor - replace and overhaul - standard | 1 hour 14 minutes | |
| Carburettor - replace and overhaul G.T. | 1 hour 50 minutes | |
| Big end bearings - remove and replace | 2 hours 29 minutes | |
| Connecting rod - replace one | 4 hours 1 minute | Each additional Connecting rod add 25 minutes! |
| Crankshaft - remove and refit | 5 hours 44 minutes | |
| Cylinder head gasket - remove and fit new | 1 hour 34 minutes | G.T 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Cylinder head - remove and fit new | 3 hours 35 minutes | G.T. 4 hours 21 minutes |
| Cylinders - re-bore and fit new pistons | 10 hours 58 minutes | |
| De-coke, grind valves, test for leakage | 4 hours 45 minutes | G.T. 5 hours 31 minutes |
| De-coke, grind valves, test for leakage, tune engine | 6 hours 45 minutes | G.T. 7 hours 31 minutes |
| Fan blade - remove and fit new | 21 minutes | Fan belt replacement takes 16 minutes |
| Flywheel - remove and re-fit (floor change) | 2 hours 12 minutes | G.T. 2 hours 51 minutes |
| Flywheel - remove and re-fit (column change) | 2 hours 36 minutes | |
| Replace radiator Top Hose | 18 minutes | Bottom hose allow 20 minutes. |
| Inlet manifold - remove and re-fit | 42 minutes | |
| Exhaust manifold - remove and re-fit | 40 minutes | |
| Engine front mountings - remove and re-fit both | 1 hour | |
| Oil pump remove and re-fit | 36 minutes | |
| Petrol pipe at tank outlet - remove and re-fit | 35 minutes | |
| Petrol pump remove and re-fit | 26 minutes | You are allowed extra 14 minutes to overhaul the pump ! |
| Pistons, remove and re-fit one | 4 hours 2 minutes | For G.T. allow 4 hours 24 minutes. |
| Piston rings, remove and re-fit all new | 5 hours 9 minutes | For G.T. allow 5 hours 31 minutes |
| Crankshaft pulley - remove and re-fit | 21 minutes | |
| Radiator remove and re-fit | 37 minutes | To replace the front grille allow 19 minutes |
| Sump remove and re-fit | 1 hour 57 minutes | Includes fitting new gaskets |
| Tappets adjust | 45 minutes | |
| Timing cover remove and re-fit | 1 hour 25 minutes | |
| Tune engine | 2 hours | What you do is not specified ! |
| Valve rocker shaft - remove overhaul and refit | 1 hour 33 minutes | |
| Valves - replace all | 4 hours 30 minutes | G.T. allow 5 hours 16 minutes |
| Valve guides - remove and replace all | 5 hours 2 minutes | G.T. allow 5 hours 48 minutes |
| Water pump - remove and re-fit | 49 minutes | To overhaul allow 25 minutes. |
Gearbox and Clutch repair times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Gearbox remove and re-fit (floor change) | 1 hour 40 minutes | G.T. 2 hours 19 minutes |
| Gearbox remove and re-fit (column change) | 2 hours 4 minutes | |
| Gearbox remove overhaul and re-fit (floor change) | 4 hours 43 minutes | G.T. 5 hours 22 minutes |
| Clutch replace | 1 hour 54 minutes | G.T. 2 hours 33 minutes |
| Clutch master cylinder remove and re-fit | 31 minutes | Slave cylinder 36 minutes |
| Clutch pilot bearing replace | 2 hours 26 minutes | G.T. 2 hours 41 minutes |
| Clutch release bearing replace | 1 hour 52 minutes | G.T. 2 hours 31 minutes |
| Clutch pilot bearing replace (floor change) | 2 hours 2 minutes | |
| Extension housing oil seal replace | 35 minutes |
Front suspension Repair times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Front suspension unit remove, overhaul, re-assemble and re-fit | 1 hour 23 minutes | Disk brake struts 1 hour 2 minutes. |
| Adjust toe-in Castor | 1 hour | |
| Front hub and drum assembly remove and re-fit one | 38 minutes | Disk brakes 1 hour 12 minutes |
| Hub bearings adjust play both sides | 24 minutes | |
| Coil spring remove and re-fit one | 1 hour 46 minutes | Disk brakes allow 2 hours 31 minutes |
| Stabiliser bar and bushes remove and re-fit | 1 hour | |
| Steering drop arm to idler arm rod remove and re-fit | 50 minutes | |
| Track control arm or bushes replace one side | 1 hour 32 minutes | Disk brakes 1 hour 27 minutes |
| Track rod remove and re-fit | 51 minutes | |
| Track rod end remove and re-fit one | 1 hour 7 minutes | Includes setting toe-in |
Steering Repair Times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Steering box remove and re-fit (column change) | 2 hours 47 minutes | Floor change 1 hour 48 minutes |
| Steering box - strip and re-assemble after removal | 1 hour 25 minutes | |
| Drop arm removal and re-fit | 32 minutes | |
| Rocker shaft adjust end float | 1 hour 10 minutes | |
| Steering wheel remove and re-fit | 15 minutes |
Rear Axle and Drive Shaft Repair Times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Rear axle remove and re-fit | 2 hours 15 minutes | |
| Strip and Overhaul after removal | 3 hours 57 minutes | |
| Axle casing replace | 2 hours 56 minutes | |
| Axle shaft (half shaft) remove and re-fit one | 36 minutes | |
| Differential carrier assemble remove and re-fit | 1 hour 33 minutes | "Changing a diff"! |
| Differential assembly remove overhaul refit | 4 hours 45 minutes | |
| Hub bearings remove and re-fit one | 48 minutes | |
| Oil seal (axle housing) remove and re-fit one | 51 minutes | Both sides allow 1 hour 42 minutes |
| Pinion oil seal remove and replace | 3 hours 20 minutes | |
| Prop shaft remove and re-fit | 28 minutes | |
| Prop shaft Universal joint overhaul one | 49 minutes | Allow 1 hour 10 minutes for both ! |
Brakes Repair Times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Adjust rear brakes | 26 minutes | |
| Brake anchor plate rear remove re-fit and bleed brakes | 1 hour 47 minutes | Both sides allow 2 hours 48 minutes |
| Bleed brakes | 42 minutes | |
| Brake disk front remove and re-fit one | 1 hour 5 minutes | |
| Brake drum rear remove and re-fit one | 28 minutes | |
| Brake hose replace one and bleed brakes | 49 minutes | |
| Brake shoes front replace (both wheels) | 47 minutes | |
| Brake pads front replace (both wheels) | 32 minutes | |
| Brake shoes rear remove and re-fit one wheel | 33 minutes | Both sides 50 minutes |
| Caliper pistons or seals front replace (each wheel) | 1 hour 7 minutes | Includes bleeding brakes. For both sides allow 1 hour 53 minutes |
| Handbrake lever (floor) remove and re-fit | 42 minutes | Facia mounted G.T. handbrake allow 33 minutes |
| Master cylinder remove and re-fit | 56 minutes | Overhaul 12 minutes extra |
| Wheel cylinder rear remove and re-fit one side | 1 hour 21 minutes | Includes bleeding brakes. Both sides 1 hour 26 minutes |
Chassis and Rear Springs Repair Times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Bumper, front remove and re-fit | 18 minutes | |
| Bumper, rear remove and replace | 20 minutes | |
| Petrol gauge tank sender unit remove and re-fit | 33 minutes | Estate cars 1 hour 8 minutes |
| Petrol tank remove and re-fit | 44 minutes | Estate cars 1 hour 9 minutes |
| Shock absorber rear remove and re-fit one | 30 minutes | |
| Silencer assembly remove and re-fit | 31 minutes | |
| Rear spring remove and re-fit one | 56 minutes | |
| Rear spring dismantle clean re-assemble one | 44 minutes | (After removal) |
| Top leaf of rear spring remove and re-fit one | 1 hour 40 minutes | |
| U-bolts remove and re-fit | 37 minutes | (Each spring) |
Body Repair Times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Front door glass remove and re-fit | 48 minutes | |
| Rear door glass remove and re-fit | 45 minutes | |
| Rear windscreen glass remove and re-fit | 1 hour 14 minutes | |
| Window regulator remove re-fit (front) | 39 minutes | Rear 24 minutes |
| Window vent assembly front remove and re-fit | 48 minutes | |
| Windscreen glass remove and re-fit | 1 hour 32 minutes |
Electrical System Repair Times
| Task | Repair time | Comments |
| Battery remove and re-fit | 11 minutes | |
| Ignition coil remove and re-fit | 23 minutes | |
| Distributor remove, re-fit and re-time ignition | 33 minutes | |
| Distributor remove overhaul and re-fit (Lucas) | 1 hour 26 minutes | Ford distributor 1 hour 10 minutes. |
| Dynamo remove and re-fit | 27 minutes | |
| Dynamo clean commutator and replace brushes | 54 minutes | |
| Dynamo replace front bearings | 56 minutes | |
| Dynamo replace and overhaul | 1 hour 44 minutes | |
| Horn assembly remove and replace | 15 minutes | |
| Headlamp replace one sealed beam unit | 23 minutes | Includes re-alignment |
| Headlamps re-align | 23 minutes | |
| Sidelamps remove and re-fit | 29 minutes | |
| Rear lamp cluster remove and re-fit | 15 minutes | Number plate lamp 17 minutes |
| Petrol gauge on dash unit remove and re-fit | 34 minutes | |
| Speedometer cable outer remove and re-fit | 43 minutes | Inner only 25 minutes |
| Starter motor remove and re-fit | 41 minutes | To overhaul 1 hour 16 minutes. |
| Starter motor replace drive gear | 58 minutes | |
| Starter motor clean commutator and replace brushes | 1 hour 23 minutes | |
| Direction Indicator switch remove and re-fit | 20 minutes | |
| Ignition switch remove and re-fit | 24 minutes | |
| Switch lighting remove and re-fit | 32 minutes | From October 1964 allow 13 minutes |
| Starter solenoid remove and re-fit | 18 minutes | |
| Stop light switch remove re-fit and bleed brakes | 40 minutes | Bleed brakes Why? Switch is on pipe union !No need to bleed brakes October 1964 on. |
| Temperature gauge on dash remove and replace | 34 minutes | From October 1963 43 minutes, from October 1964 16 minutes. |
| Voltage regulator unit remove and re-fit | 29 minutes | If in engine bay 18 minutes |
| Windscreen wiper motor remove and re-fit | 1 hour 27 minutes | From October 1963 1 hour 2 minutes, from October 1964 1 hour 17 minutes. |
| Wiring main loom remove and re-fit | 2 hours 9 minutes | From October 1964 1 hour 37 minutes |
| Wiring tail loom remove and re-fit | 1 hour and 6 minutes |
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Page last updated:- 19 May, 2006 15:39