Episode 13 of Retropower’s Gordon Murray Mk1 build is a progress update before the car goes away for its exhaust. It covers the fuel system, front-end details, the dash, and the programmable power distribution unit (PDU) that replaces fuses and relays.
Video: Retropower on YouTube · watch “Gordon Murray's MK1 Escort - Retropower Build Episode 13” on YouTube
What happens in Episode 13
The fuel tank (1:08). Retropower designed the foam-filled aluminium tank, and an outside fabricator built it. A pot in its base sits in a recess in the floor and connects to the main tank only through small holes, so the pump keeps a reserve even when low fuel sloshes in hard corners. Returning fuel goes back into that pot.
Fuel system and venting (2:41). The pot feeds a Bosch 044 pump and a filter, hidden under a trim panel. Vents on both sides join the filler neck above where a pump nozzle sits, so forecourt pumps don’t click off and the tank fills fully even on a slope. The original Escort cap is kept on a new galvanised neck.
Battery and sealed boot (5:59). The dry sump tank leaves no room for the battery in the engine bay. So it goes in the boot, balanced by a full-size spare on the other side. The boot is sealed from the cabin against fuel vapour, with a ducted panel keeping the original airflow through the parcel shelf vents.
Front details (9:14). The grille-slat bonnet release is now black anodised. The bonnet prop sits in a receiver bolted to inserts rather than spot welded, on a nylon pad. The airbox has a shallower back plate so it fits, and the brake fluid tank hides a float sensor for a warning light.
Screenwash and wipers (12:20). A larger screenwash tank doubles as the passenger’s footrest. Fluid jets out through pinholes between the scuttle slats, and a stronger two-speed Transit wiper motor drives the original linkage.
Column, pedals and dash (14:24). A collapsible Opel Manta column brings a single multi-function stalk. An off-the-shelf bias pedal box has three master cylinders and a balance bar. The water-jet-cut dash panels will be anodised and engraved. They carry Speedhut gauges with Gordon Murray Design logos.
The PDU (21:02). The 16-channel unit uses Deutsch Autosport connectors and Life Racing’s software, which links each switch input to an output with its own trip current. The loom is planned on a spreadsheet: every wire’s route, length and gauge.
Next (25:10). The car goes to BTB for a custom manifold and exhaust. Meanwhile the dry sump tank parts are being machined, and the oil plumbing comes next.
Parts, tools and suppliers mentioned
- Foam-filled aluminium fuel tank with an anti-surge pot; Bosch 044 fuel pump and filter
- Original Escort filler cap on a galvanised neck
- Opel Manta collapsible steering column; Mk1 Escort bias pedal box
- Ford Transit wiper motor with a custom crank
- Speedhut gauges; water-jet-cut, anodised, engraved aluminium dash panels
- Life Racing 16-channel PDU with Deutsch Autosport connectors
- BTB (manifold and exhaust)
Lessons for your own Mk1
- Use a surge pot or foam if you’ll corner hard with little fuel in the tank.
- Vent the filler neck above the nozzle, or forecourt pumps will keep clicking off.
- Seal the boot from the cabin if the fuel tank, pump or battery are in there.
- Avoid spot-welded brackets after paint. Threaded inserts fitted while the shell is bare are easier to protect from rust.
- Plan the loom on paper first: every wire’s route, length and gauge before you cut anything.
Mk1 context
Early Mk1 Escorts had a push button in the grille to release the bonnet, and later cars switched to a cable release. The wiper motor has always sat inside the scuttle, which is why Retropower kept the original linkage.
Related
- Series hub: all Retropower Gordon Murray Mk1 episodes
- Body background: Mk1 Escort rally preparation – body shell
- Background: the complete history of the Mk1 Ford Escort
- More builds on video: Mk1 Escort build videos