My first project, Mk2 escort

[Craig89]

Today I went and collected a project car for me to have a crack at, its a mk2 2door, the previous owner did a lot of body work on the car but was unable to finish it. Basically bits just need sourcing and putting on the car to finish it off, there is also some wiring to get my head around.

Garage cleared out ready for the car:

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9103/imag0242.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/imag0242.jpg/)

On the trailer on my drive:

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6245/imag0244s.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/i/imag0244s.jpg/)

In its righteous place:

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8779/imag0247b.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/imag0247b.jpg/)

I'm sure I have got a lot to learn from everyone but I'm looking forward to getting on with it, I will keep it updated with what's happening bit it will more than likely me asking questions!

Comments welcome, cheers!

[alancdavis]

Looks like a car that I noted recently,,,did his wife make him sell it

[Craig89]

That's the one, yes. I hope it was noted for the right reasons

[alancdavis]

Yes it lookd a great car,,,, does it need much doing ? I was tempted to take a look myself :D

[Craig89]

Just needs finishing off and tidying up, I'm just getting a bit of a list together of jobs that need doing. Engine needs plumbing and wiring, brakes need connecting at the back. Lights wiring at the front. And then lots of little things

[alancdavis]

As I said,,,looks a great car :)

[Craig89]

I have spent a couple of evenings seeing what is what with the wiring in the car, tracing all the cables and labelling them up. i have pretty much finished in the engine bay and now doing the interior. For whatever reason the loom was covered in 3 layers of insulation tape so i have spent the most part removing that.

Engine bay:

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5971/imag0248z.jpg

Inside:

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5939/imag0249z.jpg

I have starting gathering a shopping list of parts i will need, i will post this in the parts wanted section if any one can help out.

Cheers, Craig

[hally]

looks really good! ;)

[SHIFTY]

looks really good! ;)
x2 :cool:

keep the pics coming :D

[Craig89]

Thanks for the comments!

I am getting the wiring connected up to everything now but am a bit stuck as regards to the starter motor connections. I have main cable from battery, a black and yellow and a black and red both coming from the ignition. Could anyone tell me where on the starter they are connected? Many thanks

[bluevan1]

looks a good car there m8.
whats ur plans with it ??

[Craig89]

I just want to build a nice car and then will be used for a bit of fun.

http://img51.imageshack.us/i/imag0251f.jpg/

We have power! The wiring all seems to be ok after sorting out some poor earths out. And I am still unsure on the connection of the starter motor if anyone can help?

Cheers

[Craig89]

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5443/imag0251f.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/imag0251f.jpg/)

[191964]

Thanks for the comments!

I am getting the wiring connected up to everything now but am a bit stuck as regards to the starter motor connections. I have main cable from battery, a black and yellow and a black and red both coming from the ignition. Could anyone tell me where on the starter they are connected? Many thanks

black and red to starter solenoid from ignition key position 3 starts starter (large stud nearest starter/engine side)
black and yellow solenoid contact to feed ignition coil with 12v bypassing ballast resistor (small stud in centre probably a black plug push on)
main cable from battery red (large stud nearest inner wing)

If its the same as mine

[Craig89]

Thanks again Neil!

Had planned to get some jobs done the bank holiday weekend but the Mrs wanted to go away so off to Weston we went. Much to her disgust we stumbled across a classic car show on the Saturday, some nice cars:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/3640/imag0253kk.jpg (http://img696.imageshack.us/i/imag0253kk.jpg/)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/725/imag0261v.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/imag0261v.jpg/)

I am waiting on some parts to continue, however I have trial fitted a rear bumper, just needs painting. I had to move a hanger on the exhaust and that will be ready to fit when that has had some paint.

Cheers, Craig

[npikey]

Love that colour, looks well m8 :cool:

[alancdavis]

Comming along well , ,:)

[Craig89]

Thanks again for the comments!

Got some more done today. Fitted the handbrake lever and cable, it appears to be working fine, just need to check that the connecting rod is operating the nearside drum correctly. Got the exhaust fitted after moving one of the hangers on the back box. Also painted and fitted the rear bumper, whilst i had the paint out i painted my door handles and wing mirrors. Does anyone have a template or dimentions of where the hole need to be for the wing mirrors, as my doors have had new skins?

I am just waiting for some parts before i can put the doors together and put the glass in.

Presumably the engine has to come out to remove the sump? As it looks like it is just catching on the cross member.

Does anyone have or know the best place to get some long series wheel nuts from, i only have 2 in each wheel so could do with 4 more and a set of locking wheel nuts?

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/5215/imag0291c.jpg (http://img577.imageshack.us/i/imag0291c.jpg/)

Wheeled the car out of the garage to take some pics!

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2459/imag0281b.jpg (http://img233.imageshack.us/i/imag0281b.jpg/)

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/7917/imag0286s.jpg (http://img837.imageshack.us/i/imag0286s.jpg/)

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/3553/imag0288g.jpg (http://img838.imageshack.us/i/imag0288g.jpg/)

Cheers, Craig

[191964]

Speak to Russ for your wheel nuts

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/rallye-sport-london?_trksid=p4340.l2563

[petrolhead]

Looks well Chief!;)

[Craig89]

Doors are now all together with glass in and handles on. I think I have now got most of the bits finished. Also got the wipers on and got the washer system connected. Horn also fitted and working. Last big job really is to get the brakes done which I hope to get done this weekend.

Whilst connecting the starter motor up one of the pins fell of in my hand, the pin the black and yellow coil feed cable goes on to. I have sourced another starter motor but the solenoid only has 2 pins, large one from battery and one from ignition? Therefore no feed for the coil? Am i in any way able to use this starter or do I need to find one with a 3 pin solenoid?

Cheers, Craig

[Craig89]

Quite a big update. As said previously my sump was catching my x/m, so i tackled that job, jacked the car right up, supported the engine/gearbox under bellhousing, then unbolted everything, removed x/m and finally removed the sump.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7296/imag0311vl.jpg

This was the offending weld that was catching the x/m, it was only just catching, cant believe who ever welded the sump didnt dress the welds after, but never mind.

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/927/imag0314p.jpg

Ground the weld back, cleaned up the sump and gave it a lick of paint and put it all back together again.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4854/imag0315d.jpg

I ordered some 32mm spacers for the back axle to fill up the arches abit. Have to say it looks loads better! Before:

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/7242/imag0316l.jpg

After:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3199/imag0317k.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7341/imag0318w.jpg

I have also tidied up the loom with Spyra-wrap.

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/1713/imag0319m.jpg

I have also made and fitted new copper brake pipes throughout the car and bled the system.

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/1397/imag0320ea.jpg

Finally carbs are back on, fuel lines connected up and its now pretty much time to turn it over and see if i can get her started!

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/956/imag0330j.jpg

Cheers,

Craig

[lefty940]

its coming on well nice 1

[emily]

cracking looking motor ;)

[Craig89]

Thanks for the comments!

Well I tried to start it.......no spark, doh! I am getting no volts to the coil, as far as I know this signal comes from the starter? Which I did have problems when fitting it, so I presume I knackered it when doing that

[SHIFTY]

looking good, I like that rocker cover :D :cool:

[Craig89]

looking good, I like that rocker cover :D :cool:

Not exactly my thing to be honest :D

Been busy on the car!

Fitted the exhaust, but wasnt happy with how it fitted, too close to the leaf spring, so i modified and moved it. Fits much better now.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6246/imag0442e.jpg

Also the fittment of the aftermarket headlights was poor, the bowls were just fitted in any old manor against the front panel. So i made some ali spacer/brakets, this centeralised them, brought them forward 10-20mm and can now be adjusted nicely.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/6568/imag0445k.jpg

N/S before and after

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/3171/imag0460x.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6553/imag0466f.jpg

Also found some rust on the inner door skins, in the area that goes from the inner to outer skin, underneath the quarter light.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4879/imag0474ko.jpg

Cut it out

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8013/imag0475k.jpg

New piece made

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8374/imag0479b.jpg

Welded up and dressed up, just needs a bit of filler and paint

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9813/imag0483h.jpg

Cheers, Craig

[Craig89]

Now filled, primered and painted

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8653/imag0498yo.jpg

I booked my car in at Hi-Tech Motorsport in Cradley Heath to have the carbs set up and get it rolling roaded

Couple of pics of the car on the trailer ready to go

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/5295/imag0516v.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1986/imag0517i.jpg

I ended up having to leave the car there due to some problems with the distributer and timing. But a couple of days later i got the call to say it was done and ready to collect. So i booked the car in for MOT and went and collected it. Me and Mick were both surprised it made a nice 132bhp, and he said it was a nice smooth engine, very pleased.

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/8834/imag0567s.jpg

The drive home was nice, it being the first time i had driven the car! There were of course some problems that reered there ugly heads, there was a crunch into 2nd at high RPM and quite a bit of travel in the brake pedal. The scariest thing though was just before i pulled up home the engine started making a horrific knocking noice, :eek:. I got it home and after some inspection found that the flywheel had loosened its self. So i removed all the gearbox and clutch, the bolts had worked there way loose, so were obviously not tightened up no where near tight enough, something i didnt do but probably should have checked! The threads all looked good though so i have ordered some ARB bolts ready to put it back on with.

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3899/imag0547q.jpg

Would it be worth lightening the flywheel at all whilst its off?

There also is alot of movement in the gearbox. My gearbox mount is bolted to the floor with these rubber mount bolts:

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1769/imag0550.jpg

Should it be or should it be just bolted directly to the floor?

Thanks, Craig

[alancdavis]

Mine ia bolted direct to the floor

Looking good by the way :)

[Craig89]

Mine ia bolted direct to the floor

Looking good by the way :)

Yeah i thought so, i will get rid of those and just go straight to the floor when i put it back together.

And thank you!

[alancdavis]

I think you will still need to fit spacers to keep the clearence

[Craig89]

I will have to check the clearance then, but I do have a large tunnel fitted, so that should help. Do you know where it is likely to catch? I will also try to get the output shaft as level as possible

[turimping]

Nice car..and already arched at that..wheels complement the color too!

[Craig89]

Thank you! The blue and white do go well together i agree.

Got the car all back together now, flywheel bolted on with ARP bolts, and different gearbox fitted, hopefully this one is a good one!

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/4660/imag0570w.jpg

Does anyone have a spare type 9 gearlever knocking around that they want to sell cheap, i want to mess about with one, making a longer, straight, quick shift lever?

Many thanks, Craig

[mike77cos]

Nice looking car that

[grum]

looks far better with yellow rear number plate :cool:

no one likes the black ones and beside they were so 2008 ;) :D

suggest also to "plate up" where the gear box mounts are going to give it a bit more rigidity

[Craig89]

Nice looking car that

Cheers mate

looks far better with yellow rear number plate :cool:

no one likes the black ones and beside they were so 2008 ;) :D

suggest also to "plate up" where the gear box mounts are going to give it a bit more rigidity

Yes it does look much better with the modern plates

What would you recommend, welding a plate to the floor on the inside?

Cheers, Craig

[Craig89]

Car now pretty much ready for an MOT, but i am having trouble with the front suspension, it is abit too low and is catching the footwell on full lock. I have fitted some 2.8i Bilsteins and unfortunatly that didnt lift it much, i have been told spacers might stop it catchin or adjusting the castor with a twin cam arb.

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic3.php?url=http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4871/escortd.jpg (http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic3.php?url=http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4871/escortd.jpg)

Whilst trying to sort that out i have also been getting the interior something like. Made and welded in some seat bars, mounted my Cobra Imola 2s. Fitted my MOMO steering wheel using one of M11RFs bosses. Finally i have made a rally look gear stick and knob.

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic3.php?url=http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2061/imag0707.jpg (http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic3.php?url=http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2061/imag0707.jpg)

[alancdavis]

Looking well mate :D